Beam homogenizer

{{short description|Device to create a more uniform laser beam}}{{More sources needed|date=April 2024}}File:Intensity profile after use of diffractive homogenizer with coherent beam.png]]

A beam homogenizer is a device that smoothes out the irregularities in a laser beam profile to create a more uniform one. Most beam homogenizers use a multifaceted mirror with square facets. The mirror reflects light at different angles to create a beam with uniform power across the whole beam profile (a "top hat" profile). Some applications of beam homogenizers include their use with excimer lasers for making computer chips and with {{CO2}} lasers for heat treating.

Most lasers produce a Gaussian beam energy distribution. A beam homogenizer will create an evenly distributed energy of the beam instead of the Gaussian shape. Unlike a beam shaper, which imparts a certain shape to the beam, a beam homogenizer spreads out the central concentrated energy of the beam among the entire beam diameter.{{Cite web |last=Paschotta |first=Dr Rüdiger |title=beam homogenizers |url=https://www.rp-photonics.com/beam_homogenizers.html |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.rp-photonics.com |language=en}}

A simple beam homogenizer can be just a murky piece of glass. However, this is a very simple solution with low efficiency, producing a blurry beam. For most applications/uses, advanced methods of beam homogenizing are required such as diffractive beam homogenizers or using a micro lens array (MLA).