Micro-structured hollow-core fibers enable a flexible integration of high-power ultrafast lasers, offering the advantages of fiber-based beam delivery to ultrafast laser applications. For widespread industrial utilization of this technology, ever-increasing demands need to be fulfilled by adapting the beam delivery to new laser systems and process parameters. We demonstrate, for the first time ever, fiber-based beam delivery of high-power picosecond pulses with high polarization contrast in combination with Direct Laser Interference Patterning. By using an ultrashort pulse, high-power, near-infrared laser emitting a fundamental wavelength 1064 nm and pulse energy of 175 µJ at repetition rates up to 500 kHz, an interference pattern with a spatial period of 3.8 µm is produced and applied in stainless steel, illustrating the proof of principle. The fiber-based delivery system represents a versatile tool for 3D micro-texturing processes using ultrashort pulse laser systems. The demonstrated results pave the way for high-quality micro-structuring of large surface areas by employing fiber-based beam delivery systems.
Keywords
- Beam Delivery
- Direct Laser Interference Patterning
- Laser Surface Structuring
- Optical Fibers
- Polarization