how can I combine two beams ???

[cosmo2]

Does anybody know how I can combine two laser beams?
I have two 60watt co2 tubes and I want to combine their beams in order to get at least 100watts.

thank you.

[BillTodd]

I'm not an expert but...

I would expect the two beams from two sources to be slightly different frequencies (different wavelengths) and since they are both coherent sources they will alias (beat / flash) with each other at a rate equal to the difference.

[Thazul]

You are looking for a beam combiner, something like this - http://www.ulooptics.com/ulo_optics/...mcombiners.asp

But I have no first hand knowledge, I would ask in the Laser forum.

Best Regards,

Andy

[MattTheNoob]

Also not an expert, but...

The big solar collector arrays simply focus multiple sources onto a single point. Couldn't you do that with lasers too?

Ah, but I see the problem with my simplistic solution. In a cutting application, you are no longer cutting straight through, so for material with any thickness you run into trouble.

Ooo! New idea. Sell the two 60 watt tubes on ebay and combine the funds to buy a 100 watt tube.

OK, I'll shut up now.

[billblack]

Originally Posted by cosmo2 Does anybody know how I can combine two laser beams? I have two 60watt co2 tubes and I want to combine their beams in order to get at least 100watts. thank you.

Laser light is what it is because the light waves are coherent. Combining two coherent light sources in a manner that maintains that coherence will probably be more expensive than buying a 100 watt tube, but it sounds like a very interesting project. A couple of places to look:http://www.rp-photonics.com/beam_combining.html and http://www.physicsforums.com/archive...p/t-62148.htmlIf that doesn't get you started, try posting athttp://www.physicsforums.com/index.php. If you get it done, please post. It would be of interest to me.
Good luck!

[cosmo2]

thank you all for your answers!
I will try the beamcombiners but I think that I will buy a new 120watt tube, just to be sure


I think that it isn't the right topic to ask and i am sure that my question is stupid but I will give it a try

Untill now I was just cutting, how can I engrave ? How can I control the power of the beam ?

I am new to the forum so could a moderator move it to a better topic?
thank you.