Grid attenuators in laser machining systems

General equations for the attenuated and focused intensity distribution of a gaussian beam at the focal region are derived for two-dimensional arbitrary shaped grid attenuators. Assuming a circular aperture grid, calculations of the intensity distribution in the focal plane and at several planes of the focal region were done. Results of calculations and relevant experiments are reported and discussed, in view of the application of these types of attenuators in laser machining systems.