500 watt blue laser system for welding applications

This paper presents a 500 W continuous wave blue laser system for industrial applications, based on high power, high brightness laser diodes at 450 nm. The system builds upon the company’s 150W modules introduced recently. The modular system architecture allows efficient power scaling; a coupling efficiency of 90% into a 400 m 0.22 NA fiber was achieved. This paper will report on the architecture and integration of the laser and describe its key performance parameters. Test results will be presented for welding of copper with power levels and brightness accessible with this system.