Choosing a scan system for a specific application is primarily dependent on the following optical parameters:

	wavelength, power and pulse length of the laser
	spot size
	working distance and size of the image field or working volume
	processing speed and positioning accuracy

These considerations are discussed in more detail below.

Wavelength, Laser Power, Pulse Length

Deflection mirror size decisively influences the scan system's overall size and dynamic properties. In general, higher laser powers require larger deflection mirrors (and apertures). However, maximum speeds can only be obtained via small apertures.

SCANLAB offers scan systems with apertures ranging from 6 to 70 mm (also see our application matrix). For applications with extreme laser power requirements, SCANLAB offers scan systems with air-cooled mirrors.

Our scan systems are equipped with coated deflection mirrors and objectives or varioSCAN dynamic focusing units appropriate for your laser's wavelength, power and pulse length. SCANLAB offers optical components for all typical laser types used to process materials at wavelengths from 193 nm to 10.6 µm.

Spot Size (Focal Diameter)

The focal diameter of the scan system's laser spot depends on the laser wavelength, the scan system's aperture and the focal length of the system's focusing optics, as well as the quality of the coupled laser beam. The (¹/e²) focal diameter can be approximated via the following equation:

Focal diameter (1/e²)  =  λ • f • M² • K d

	λ	Wavelength (typically 193 nm – 10.6 µm)
	f	Focal length (typically 30 mm – 2,000 mm)
	M²	Beam quality (laser-dpendent)
	k	Correction factor (ideally 1.27; more typically 1.5 -2.0)
	d	Beam diameter prior to focusing (typically 6 - 70 mm)

Working Distance and Image Size or Working Volume

The available working distance between the scan system and the workpiece depends primarily on the focusing optic's focal length and design. The image field's size depends on the scan system's scan angle as well as the objective's focal length and design.

The following typically applies for SCANLAB's scan systems with F-Theta objectives:

Image field size  =  0,5 … 0,8 • f

	f	Objective focal length

If the laser focus needs to be positioned not just in a plane, but in a (3D) working volume, then the focal length must be dynamically variable. For this purpose, SCANLAB offers varioSCAN dynamic focusing units − and the varioSCAN FC for fiber-coupled high power lasers.

Processing Speed and Positioning Accuracy

Speed and accuracy requirements can be very different for various applications. Each system can be optimally configured for its intended application by selecting among a broad palette of galvanometer scanners, servo electronics, mirrors and objectives. Accordingly, models such as the intelliSCAN^®, hurrySCAN^® II, hurrySCAN^®, SCANcube^® and SCANgine^® can feature identical aperture sizes, yet differ in terms of dynamic behavior, system monitoring capabilities, etc.

SCANLAB provides water-cooled scan systems for applications requiring extreme speed or precision.

Dynamic tuning is typically applied to vector optimization. Other tunings are available on request for optimizing operations such as jumps or micro processing. SCANLAB's iDRIVE^® technology additionally enables switching between different dynamics settings.

To minimize the impact of environmental fluctuations on long-term scan system stability, systems are often equipped with temperature stabilization. Scan systems can also be equipped with self-calibration sensors for applications demanding maximum long-term stability.

To ensure consistently high quality, SCANLAB thoroughly tests each system prior to shipment. Customers can depend on the SCANcheck quality seal.