Effects of Radial and Tangential Polarization in Laser Material Processing

Abstract

The polarization state of a laser beam has a strong influence on the process in almost any kind of laser material processing. The benefit of material processing with cylindrical polarization was described by several authors. Recently, intra-cavity polarization generation and extracavity polarization conversion for industry-level high-power lasers were presented. The present paper gives an overview over the state of the art and the latest results for cutting, welding and drilling achieved at the IFSW of the University of Stuttgart.