Laser-speckle reduction technology boasts minimal size and low cost

March 1, 2011
Numerous laser-speckle reduction (LSR) technologies have been developed in recent years using a variety of optoelectronic techniques that typically involve some type of vibration mechanism and diffuser optics.

Numerous laser-speckle reduction (LSR) technologies have been developed in recent years using a variety of optoelectronic techniques that typically involve some type of vibration mechanism and diffuser optics. A new LSR technology from Optotune (Zurich, Switzerland) is also based on a moving diffuser but offers true miniaturization and much lower cost compared to other commercially available options.

The Optotune LSR uses a dynamic process: The speckle pattern is moved at a sufficiently high frequency and amplitude such that the detection system integrates the speckle pattern as a uniform light distribution. A moving diffuser is bonded to an electroactive polymer membrane that includes two electrodes in the x-y plane. By pulsing the x and y electrodes with a π/2 phase difference, a circular motion is obtained. The moving frequency is optimal when reaching the resonance frequency of the system to provide the highest speckle reduction. Optotune says the entire speckle reducer can be made as small as 6 × 9 × 1 mm3, depending on the required aperture. And using batch processing, it estimates the LSR cost at only a couple of dollars in high volume.

Contact Mark Blum at [email protected].

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.

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