Precise determination of the focal point on a glass sample using spectroscopy analysis

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optical Engineering
• Industrial Lasers

Background:

• Laser marking is a widespread industrial technique for product customization and identification.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are commonly employed for marking insulators like glass and wood.
• Accurate focal point determination after mirror reflection is crucial but challenging due to space constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a practical method for real-time focal point localization in laser marking systems.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional beam characterization methods in confined industrial spaces.
• To investigate the use of spectroscopy for precise focal point identification.

Main Methods:

• A novel approach using a large numerical aperture fiber coupled to a motorized stage.
• Spectroscopy of typical emission lines to analyze the laser beam characteristics.
• Real-time monitoring of spectral data to pinpoint the focal point position.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a practical and space-efficient method for focal point determination.
• Successfully utilized fiber spectroscopy to identify the focal point in real time.
• The proposed method offers an alternative to complex and bulky traditional setups.

Conclusions:

• Fiber-coupled spectroscopy provides an effective solution for real-time focal point localization in laser marking.
• This technique enhances the precision and efficiency of industrial laser marking processes.
• The method is adaptable for various laser marking applications involving reflective optics.