Abstract

High power CO₂ lasers (>500 W) are widely used for industrial applications, including cutting, welding, and heat treatment of metals and ceramics. The laser beam is generally directed to target via a complex system of mirrors and Jenses. This system, however, has the disadvantages of a lack of flexibility, beam misalignment, and possible wavefront distortion. The use of a flexible waveguide to direct the CO₂ laser beam could eliminate the problems associated with the awkward system of minors now used. Hollow sapphire waveguides have been investigated as a possible flexible delivery system for industrial (kW-class) CO₂ lasers. Power testing was carried out at Laser Power Optics, Inc. (San Diego, California).

© 1993 Optical Society of America