Over the past decade, improvements in diode-laser fabrication and packaging technology have enabled the construction of compact, integrated systems with several kilowatts of output. These high-power direct-diode laser (HPDDL) systems offer a combination of excellent electrical efficiency, low maintenance and ease of integration, all of which contribute to a low cost of ownership unmatched by any other laser technology. As a result, HPDDLs are making inroads in a variety of materials processing applications. Before reviewing those applications in more detail, it's helpful to revisit the fundamentals of HPDDL construction and operation.
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