A dual-channel continuously adjustable swept fiber laser

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser, comprising a filter, a first laser processing module, a second laser processing module, a first circulator, and a second circulator. One end of the filter is connected to the second pin of the first circulator, and the other end of the filter is connected to the second pin of the second circulator. The first pin of the first circulator is connected to the first laser processing module, and the third pin of the first circulator is connected to the second laser processing module; the third pin of the second circulator is connected to the first laser processing module, and the first pin of the second circulator is connected to the second laser processing module. By reusing optical components, the swept-frequency laser not only has dual-channel output, but also has a narrowed instantaneous linewidth, greatly improving application efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a frequency sweeping laser, in particular to a dual-channel continuously adjustable frequency sweeping fiber laser. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the main types of swept lasers are short-cavity swept lasers, long-cavity swept lasers, and grating polygonal mirror swept lasers. Among them, the short-cavity swept laser has a single-channel output, and the sweeping speed is limited by the maximum tuning speed of the filter, which makes the output speed of the short-cavity swept laser low; the long-cavity swept laser has a single-channel output, and the speed of the swept laser is improved by the use of a delay line, but the sweeping speed cannot be adjusted, and an extremely long delay line is required, which makes the overall structure bulky, the loss of the laser increases, and miniaturization and productization are difficult; the grating polygonal mirror swept laser has a single-channel output, and the sweeping speed is limited by the mechanical structure of the polygonal mirror drive, the speed cannot be improved, and the sweeping output is unstable. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser, aiming to solve the problem of low output efficiency of a single-channel swept-frequency laser.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a dual-channel continuously adjustable swept fiber laser, including a filter, a first laser processing module, a second laser processing module, a first circulator and a second circulator, one end of the filter is connected to the second pin of the first circulator, the other end of the filter is connected to the second pin of the second circulator, the first pin of the first circulator is connected to the first laser processing module, and the third pin of the first circulator is connected to the second laser processing module; the third pin of the second circulator is connected to the first laser processing module, and the first pin of the second circulator is connected to the second laser processing module.

[0005] Furthermore, the first laser processing module includes a second coupler, a first isolator, a first semiconductor optical amplifier, and a first polarization controller. The first pin of the second coupler is connected to the third pin of the second circulator, the second pin of the second coupler is connected to one end of the first isolator, the other end of the first isolator is connected to one end of the first semiconductor optical amplifier, the other end of the first semiconductor optical amplifier is connected to one end of the first polarization controller, the other end of the first polarization controller is connected to the first pin of the first circulator, and the third pin of the second coupler outputs a swept laser.

[0006] Furthermore, the device further includes a second isolator, one end of the second isolator is connected to the first semiconductor optical amplifier, and the other end of the second isolator is connected to the first polarization controller.

[0007] Furthermore, the second laser processing module includes a second polarization controller, a second semiconductor optical amplifier, a third isolator, and a first coupler, one end of the second polarization controller is connected to the first pin of the second circulator, the other end of the second polarization controller is connected to one end of the second semiconductor optical amplifier, the other end of the second semiconductor optical amplifier is connected to one end of the third isolator, the other end of the third isolator is connected to the first pin of the first coupler, the second pin of the first coupler is connected to the third pin of the first circulator, and the third pin of the first coupler outputs a swept laser.

[0008] Furthermore, a fourth isolator is included, one end of the fourth isolator is connected to the second polarization controller, and the other end of the fourth isolator is connected to the second semiconductor optical amplifier.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a delay line, one end of the delay line is connected to the first circulator, and the other end of the delay line is connected to the first coupler.

[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are: by reusing optical components, the swept laser not only innovatively achieves dual-channel output but also narrows the instantaneous linewidth, significantly improving application efficiency and saving costs. The master control system can control the temperature and adjust the sweep speed of the swept laser via a bus, achieving intelligent control of the swept laser. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The specific structure of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings

[0012] Figure 1 This is a principle block diagram of a dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser of the present invention.

[0013] Description of labels:

[0014] 10-first isolator; 11-first semiconductor optical amplifier; 12-second isolator; 13-first polarization controller; 14-first circulator; 15-filter; 16-second circulator; 17-second coupler; 18-second polarization controller; 19-fourth isolator; 20-second semiconductor optical amplifier; 21-third isolator; 22-first coupler; 23-delay line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In order to explain the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives and effects of the present invention in detail, the following is a detailed description in conjunction with the embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0016] See also Figure 1A dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser, characterized in that it includes a filter 15, a first laser processing module, a second laser processing module, a first circulator 14 and a second circulator 16, one end of the filter 15 is connected to the second pin of the first circulator 14, the other end of the filter 15 is connected to the second pin of the second circulator 16, the first pin of the first circulator 14 is connected to the first laser processing module, and the third pin of the first circulator 14 is connected to the second laser processing module; the third pin of the second circulator 16 is connected to the first laser processing module, and the first pin of the second circulator 16 is connected to the second laser processing module.

[0017] Thus, light enters the first laser processing module, passes through the first circulator 14, then through the filter 15, and then through the second circulator 16, finally passing through the first laser processing module to form the first channel for output. Simultaneously, light enters the second laser processing module, passes through the second circulator 16, then through the filter 15, then through the first circulator 14, and finally through the second laser processing module to form the second channel for output. Circulators 14 and 16 are used to allow light to flow from the first pin of circulators 14 and 16 to the second pin, and from the second pin to the third pin. The dual-channel continuously adjustable swept fiber laser, by reusing optical components, innovatively enables not only dual-channel output of the swept laser, but also narrows the instantaneous linewidth, greatly improving application efficiency.

[0018] Example 1

[0019] The first laser processing module includes a second coupler 17, a first isolator 10, a first semiconductor optical amplifier 11, and a first polarization controller 13. The first pin of the second coupler 17 is connected to the third pin of the second circulator 16, the second pin of the second coupler 17 is connected to one end of the first isolator 10, the other end of the first isolator 10 is connected to one end of the first semiconductor optical amplifier 11, the other end of the first semiconductor optical amplifier 11 is connected to one end of the first polarization controller 13, the other end of the first polarization controller 13 is connected to the first pin of the first circulator 14, and the third pin of the second coupler 17 outputs a swept laser.

[0020] Thus, the first polarization controller 13 is used to adjust the polarization of the optical signal in the ring cavity, ensuring uniform amplification of optical signals of different wavelengths. The second coupler 17 is used to output a fixed ratio of light while also allowing for input of varying ratios of light. The first semiconductor optical amplifier 11 serves as a gain medium, providing spontaneous emission background light for the dual-channel swept-frequency fiber laser and amplifying the power of small signal light. To ensure the normal operation of the first semiconductor optical amplifier 11, a constant current drive circuit and a temperature control circuit for the first semiconductor optical amplifier 11 are designed to ensure that the first semiconductor optical amplifier 11 continuously and stably outputs spontaneous emission background light at a constant temperature, preventing laser output interruption due to prolonged operation or excessive temperature.

[0021] Example 2

[0022] The optical fiber further includes a second isolator 12 , one end of the second isolator 12 is connected to the first semiconductor optical amplifier 11 , and the other end of the second isolator 12 is connected to the first polarization controller 13 .

[0023] Therefore, the second isolator 12 is used to block other reflected light in the cavity, ensuring unidirectional transmission of light in the ring cavity.

[0024] Example 3

[0025] The second laser processing module includes a second polarization controller 18, a second semiconductor optical amplifier 20, a third isolator 21, and a first coupler 22. One end of the second polarization controller 18 is connected to the first pin of the second circulator 16, the other end of the second polarization controller 18 is connected to one end of the second semiconductor optical amplifier 20, the other end of the second semiconductor optical amplifier 20 is connected to one end of the third isolator 21, the other end of the third isolator is connected to the first pin of the first coupler 22, the second pin of the first coupler 22 is connected to the third pin of the first circulator 14, and the third pin of the first coupler 22 outputs a swept laser.

[0026] Thus, the second polarization controller 18 is used to adjust the polarization of the optical signal in the ring cavity, ensuring uniform amplification of optical signals of different wavelengths. The first coupler 22 is used to output a fixed ratio of light while also allowing for input of light in varying ratios. The second semiconductor optical amplifier 20 serves as a gain medium, providing spontaneous emission background light for the dual-channel swept-frequency fiber laser and amplifying the power of small signal light. To ensure the proper operation of the second semiconductor optical amplifier 20, in addition to a constant current drive circuit, a temperature control circuit can also be included. This ensures that the second semiconductor optical amplifier 20 continuously and stably outputs spontaneous emission background light while maintaining a constant temperature, preventing interruptions in laser output due to prolonged operation or excessive temperatures.

[0027] Example 4

[0028] The optical fiber further includes a fourth isolator 19 , one end of which is connected to the second polarization controller 18 , and the other end of which is connected to the second semiconductor optical amplifier 20 .

[0029] Therefore, the fourth isolator 19 is used to block other reflected light in the cavity, ensuring unidirectional transmission of light in the ring cavity.

[0030] Example 5

[0031] The system further includes a delay line 23 , one end of which is connected to the first circulator 14 , and the other end of which is connected to the first coupler 22 .

[0032] Therefore, the speed at which the filter filters out wavelengths is limited. In order to improve the filtering speed of the entire swept fiber laser, light is buffered on the delay line 23 so that light of each wavelength resonates simultaneously in the resonant cavity, thereby achieving the effect of improving the sweep speed.

[0033] In summary, the present invention offers the following beneficial effects: by reusing optical components, it innovatively enables dual-channel output for the swept laser and simultaneously narrows the instantaneous linewidth, significantly improving application efficiency and saving costs. The master control system, via a bus, can control the temperature and adjust the sweep speed of the swept laser, achieving intelligent control of the swept laser.

[0034] Here, first, second... only represent the distinction in their names, and do not represent any difference in their importance and position.

[0035] Here, up, down, left, right, front, and back only represent relative positions and do not indicate absolute positions.

[0036] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention's description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser, characterized by: The system comprises a filter, a first laser processing module, a second laser processing module, a first circulator, and a second circulator, wherein one end of the filter is connected to the second pin of the first circulator, the other end of the filter is connected to the second pin of the second circulator, the first pin of the first circulator is connected to the first laser processing module, and the third pin of the first circulator is connected to the second laser processing module; The third pin of the second circulator is connected to the first laser processing module, and the first pin of the second circulator is connected to the second laser processing module.

2. The dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first laser processing module includes a second coupler, a first isolator, a first semiconductor optical amplifier, and a first polarization controller. The first pin of the second coupler is connected to the third pin of the second circulator, the second pin of the second coupler is connected to one end of the first isolator, the other end of the first isolator is connected to one end of the first semiconductor optical amplifier, the other end of the first semiconductor optical amplifier is connected to one end of the first polarization controller, the other end of the first polarization controller is connected to the first pin of the first circulator, and the third pin of the second coupler outputs a swept laser.

3. The dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a second isolator, one end of the second isolator is connected to the first semiconductor optical amplifier, and the other end of the second isolator is connected to the first polarization controller.

4. The dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second laser processing module includes a second polarization controller, a second semiconductor optical amplifier, a third isolator, and a first coupler. One end of the second polarization controller is connected to the first pin of the second circulator, the other end of the second polarization controller is connected to one end of the second semiconductor optical amplifier, the other end of the second semiconductor optical amplifier is connected to one end of the third isolator, the other end of the third isolator is connected to the first pin of the first coupler, the second pin of the first coupler is connected to the third pin of the first circulator, and the third pin of the first coupler outputs a swept laser.

5. The dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser according to claim 4, characterized in that: The device further includes a fourth isolator, one end of which is connected to the second polarization controller, and the other end of which is connected to the second semiconductor optical amplifier.

6. The dual-channel continuously adjustable swept-frequency fiber laser according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a delay line, one end of the delay line is connected to the first circulator, and the other end of the delay line is connected to the first coupler.

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