Hamamatsu introduces a spatial light modulator for laser metalworking

Japan's Hamamatsu Photonics has unveiled a liquid crystal silicon spatial light modulator (LCOS-SLM) for laser metal processing, the X15213-03CL, which the company claims has the highest light resistance in the world.

The X15213-03CL is an optical element specifically designed for laser beam processing of metallic materials, which also enables free control of the laser beam mode and greatly improves production efficiency when used for specific applications. This includes metal 3D printing processes, in which metal powders are laser sintered to form solidified parts for aircraft and transport equipment, as well as laser metal welding and cutting.

According to Hamamatsu, the X15213-03CL offers the world's highest power handling capacity - up to 700W - thanks to the company's thermal design technology, which nicely improves heat dissipation performance.

LCOS-SLM is a reflective spatial light modulator, which controls the laser beam mode and changes the phase of the laser beam by adjusting the tilt of the liquid crystal. The high power laser beam used for metal processing can cause the temperature of the liquid crystal layer to increase, resulting in the performance of the device to decrease. To solve this problem, the X15213-03CL LCOS-SLM uses sapphire SLATE as the covering glass, which can improve heat dissipation due to the high thermal conductivity of sapphire. In addition, the LCOS-SLM package includes a filler with high thermal conductivity and an optimized internal structure, further improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the covered glass.

Source: OFweek