Scanning Laser System Optics

Scanning Laser System Optics

F-theta scan lenses play a major role in today’s leading-edge laser applications. II-VI manufactures scan lenses for CO2 laser systems that are used for marking, engraving, via hole drilling, and more.

In a typical scan lens configuration, the F-theta lens is used with one or two axis galvo mirrors that enable the laser beam’s fast positioning and precision focusing.

While standard focusing lenses deliver a focused spot to only one point, scan lenses deliver a focused spot to many points on a scan field or workpiece. They require special considerations in their design and use.

Scan lens applications include:

• Marking
• Engraving
• Rapid prototyping
• Drilling circuit board via holes
• Cutting cloth
• Cutting paper

Our II-VI scan lenses feature:

• The finest optical materials in the world
• Special housing designs to optimize performance
• Wavelength options from 9.2 to 10.6 µm
• Via hole drilling diameters from 75 to 300 µm
• Designs featuring one to five optical elements
• Optional protection windows
• Low-loss AR coatings
• Precision optical elements

Contact a II-VI sales representative to discuss your scanning laser optics needs.

SCAN LENSES SINGLET (MARKING)

Our single element scan lenses are optimized for wide angles and long focal lengths, making them ideal for applications where large scan fields are required.

Singlet lenses ship unmounted or mounted, and custom mounts are available upon request. Contact a II-VI sales representative for more information.

SCAN LENSES DOUBLET (MARKING/DRILLING)

Multi-element lenses are available for the most demanding applications. These lenses may contain from two to five elements, depending on the desired focal length and scan field. In addition, they can be telecentric if minimum spot distortion is desired.

Performance is further enhanced, and aberrations minimized, via aspheric designs machined in our precision diamond-turning facility.

Most designs are mounted in simple barrel mounts; however, the housings can be modified to accommodate special requirements.

SCAN LENSES TRIPLET (VIA HOLE DRILLING)

For applications such as marking and engraving, a single scan lens -- designed to provide a flat field -- yields satisfactory results.

However, other scanning laser system applications, such as electronics micro via drilling, require greater precision. To minimize spot distortion and drill angle, telecentric multi-element lenses take a laser beam from varying input angles and focus the perpendicular beam onto the work surface, regardless of the beam’s position in the scan field.