NTT's laser beam shaping equipment

NTT has developed a technology to easily remove rust from narrow or uneven surfaces by irradiating a laser beam shaped by a plate-shaped device using a diffractive optical element (DOE). It also eliminates the need for excessive laser power, making the work safer. The company has been researching the application of its technology for developing parts for optical communication to the maintenance of communication equipment that has many uneven and narrow spaces. The company expects to adopt this technology in the kerening process, which removes rust from telecommunication equipment and exposes the steel surface. They will analyze the laser-irradiated surface and develop an irradiation method that is compatible with painting. Photo taken on November 11, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images