Re: My 3D printer software done - lasers!

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "optics22000" <elliot@...> wrote:

>
> Keep in mind that high power diode lasers probably won't be be single
> mode, so the beam size can be large, several mm long. Thus they
> won't focus to a point.
> The fiber coupler is used to transform the long (several mm), narrow
> (a few µm) laser output to a more useful circular shape.
>
> The crucial thing is the fiber diameter and NA.
>
> regards-
> Elliot
>

Now that is a VERY good point! On my 1W diode the fibre was 50um (I
for get the NA) which could be worse. Not a patch on a collimated
beam which is effectively an infinitely small source.

Graham