Diffractive optical elements or DOEs shape and divide the laser beams in an energy efficient way. You can use it in a number of applications with minimal light loss. DOEs are useful in patterning the light in work areas for custom illumination. This article enlists the benefits of Diffractive Optical Elements and applications.
Benefits of DOE
- They are extremely Precise
Highly precise diffraction structures with the modern production methods and years and years of manufacturing experience can make all the difference
- They are also Energy efficient
The laser beams are shaped and split to control the intensity
- They are truly Versatile
The refractive optics are replaced or combined with the diffractive optics
- They are Customer specific as well
The diffractive optical elements are customized in a way that it suits your specific applications
- They are extremely Flexible
DOEs let the user to control the phase across the aperture accurately and make complicated intensity profiles.
Applications of DOE
- Laser material processing
Here the laser beams are shaped and split during the cutting, welding, soldering, scoring and drilling.
- Biomedical devices
Here the diffractive optical elements are used for the purpose of medical laser treatments and diagnostics instruments.
- LIDAR or LADAR applications
Here the optical distance and speed are measured with the help of laser beams.
- Lithography and holographic lighting
Here the beam homogenization is used in the structured pupil illumination, mask projection systems, homogenous field illumination for normal as well as highly tilted planes.
- Optical sensors
Here DOEs are used as distance and position sensors and motion detection
- Communication
DOEs are used as beam splitters, wavelength selection, and Silicon photonics application as well.
Categories of DOEs
- Beam shapers
This lets you modify the intensity and phase profiles of the lasers. With the in phase manipulation of input beams, you can achieve the flawless intensity profiles in the output beam. This needs reliable and accurate knowledge of the input beam and phase profile. The performance is optimized where it can be used in the laser material processing in the lithography and holographic lighting field. This can also be used in biomedical devices and optical sensors.
- Beam splitters
This divides a single incident laser beam into numerous non-overlapping beams. The intervals, intensity ratios and symmetrical distribution can be selected freely and are set by microstructures of beam splitters with accuracy and high repeatability. The diameter, divergence angles and laser energy are kept constant. Then, the laser energy is better distributed for multiple channel processing, improving the efficiency and performance. This makes LIDAR ideal for color separation, material processing etc.
