Purpose: The goal of this presentation is to discuss the use of the Light Shaping Beam Homogenizer in an optical system for scanning-spot PRK. Methods: The basic principle of the LSBH is the transformation of any incident intensity distribution by light scattering on an irregular microlens structure z = f(x,y). The relief of this microlens structure is determined by a defined statistical function, i.e. it is defined by the mean root-squared tilt σ of the surface relief. Therefore, the beam evolution after the LSBH and in the focal plane of an imaging lens was measured for various root-squared tilts. Beside this, an optical setup for scanning-spot PRK was assembled according to the theoretical and experimental results. Results: The divergence, homogeneity and the Gaussian radius of the intensity distribution in the treatment plane of the scanning-spot PRK laser system is mainly characterized by dependent on root-mean-square tilt σ of the LSBH, as it will be explained by the theoretical description of the LSBH. Conclusions: The LSBH represents a simple, low cost beam homogenizer with low energy losses, for scanning-spot excimer laser systems.

Date Published: 18 June 1999
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 3591, Ophthalmic Technologies IX, (18 June 1999);

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3591:
Ophthalmic Technologies IX
Bruce E. Stuck; Pascal O. Rol; Michael Belkin M.D.; Karen Margaret Joos M.D.; Fabrice Manns; Bruce E. Stuck; Michael Belkin M.D., Editor(s)