ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the relationship between the uniformity of the output beam irradiance and the efficiency of the laser beam shaping system when an aperture is used. It discusses the relationship between the transmittance of an absorption filter, the uniformity of the output beam irradiance, and the efficiency of the beam shaper for several applications. The chapter examines several applications of beam shaping which use polarization effects, ultrasonic waves, or nematic liquid crystal materials to achieve the beam shaping objectives by apodization. It highlights some of the literature that uses geometrical or physical optics to address the beam shaping problem for various applications. The chapter presents a historical overview of the development of laser beam transformers using geometrical optics design methods. It provides a historical overview of systems designed using physical optics design methods. The chapter summarizes the development of some hybrid beam shapers, which use both reflective and refractive elements or use anisotropic materials.
