View source for Physics:Beam homogenizer

{{short description|Device to create a more uniform laser beam}}

[[File:Intensity profile after use of diffractive homogenizer with coherent beam.png|thumb|Intensity profile after use of diffractive homogenizer with coherent beam. Courtesy of Holo/Or]]

A '''beam homogenizer''' is a device that smoothes out the irregularities in a laser beam profile to create a more uniform one. Most beam homogenizers use a multifaceted [[Physics:Mirror|mirror]] with square facets. The mirror [[Physics:Reflection|reflects]] light at different angles to create a beam with uniform power across the whole beam profile (a [[Physics:Tophat beam|"top hat" profile]]). Some applications of beam homogenizers include their use with excimer lasers for making computer chips and with {{CO2}} lasers for [[Physics:Heat treating|heat treating]].

Most lasers produce a [[Physics:Gaussian beam|Gaussian beam]] energy distribution. A beam homogenizer will create an evenly distributed energy of the beam instead of the Gaussian shape. Unlike a beam shaper, which imparts a certain ''shape'' to the beam, a beam homogenizer spreads out the central concentrated energy of the beam among the entire beam diameter.

A simple beam homogenizer can be just a murky piece of glass. However, this is a very simple solution with low efficiency, producing a blurry beam. For most applications/uses, advanced methods of beam homogenizing are required such as diffractive beam homogenizers or using a micro lens array (MLA).

==External links==
*[https://www.opticsforhire.com/blog/laser-beam-homogenizer Lens Array Vs Rod Lens For Laser Beam Homogenization]

{{Lasers}}

[[Category:Optical devices]]
[[Category:Laser science]]


{{Sourceattribution|Beam homogenizer}}