A schematic of Coherent's adjustable ring mode fibre and the five basic power patterns possible within the focused laser spot (Image: Coherent)
Greg Blackman discovers how emerging lasers with adjustable beam quality are improving quality and flexibility in cutting and welding
Driven by sheet metal processing, system and fibre vendors are combining beams with high reliability, finds Andy Extance
Matthew Dale finds that new fibre designs are being developed to enable more efficient and higher-power fibre laser systems
Nick Morris reviews the state of the burgeoning fibre laser industry
In recent years fibre lasers have begun to be talked about as a possible viable alternative to semiconductor and gas lasers. Fibre lasers hold a number of attractions. As well as very good beam quality the long, thin design geometry of a fibre laser means that a fibre laser is often smaller than its equivalent-powered semiconductor or gas laser.
