Z-axis focusing beam brush device and associated methods

摘要

A beam brush includes one lens fixed for receiving a laser beam propagating along a first beam axis, a retroreflector positioned for redirecting the laser beam onto a second beam axis through a change in beam path length, and a second lens transmitting the redirected beam. The retroreflector is rotatable about an offset axis and has its angle of rotation controlled for affecting a change in beam path length. The angle of rotation resulting in the path length change is selected for providing a focus or divergence of the reflected beam transmitted through the second lens. Such a system is useful as a Z-axis focusing device operable an X-Y scanner located downstream the modified beam.

主权项

1. A light beam brush comprising:
a first lens positioned for receiving a beam of light propagating along a first beam axis; a retroreflector having first and second reflective surface portions, the first surface portion positioned for receiving the beam transmitted from the first lens and redirecting the beam onto the second reflective surface portion, wherein the retroreflector is rotatable about an axis or rotation; a second lens fixed at a position downstream the first lens for receiving a reflected light beam from the second reflective surface portion of the retroreflector and transmitting the beam along a second beam axis; and a controller operable with the retroreflector for controlling an angle of rotation of the first and second reflective surfaces about the axis of rotation and thus controlling a path length change of the beam between the first lens and the second lens, the angle of rotation and thus path length change is selected for providing at least one of a focus and a divergence of the reflected beam transmitted through the second lens.