Assessment of micro-lenses for diode bar collimation

An optical arrangement is described for the investigation of alignment and optical aberration effects for fast-axis collimation lenses used with laser diode bars. Different lens configurations have been compared; and correction of the collimation errors caused by bowing of the diode bar (''smile'') has been achieved by use of a piezo-electric actuator to make a compensating bow in the micro-lens.