Beam quality optimizer and laser system

Abstract

The application belongs to the field of laser technology, and particularly relates to a beam quality optimizer and a laser system. The beam quality optimizer comprises an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber; the input optical fiber comprises an input section and a taper section connected to the input section, one end of the input section away from the taper section is connected to a cladding light stripper of a laser system, and the taper section is connected to the output optical fiber; the fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than the fiber diameter of the input section, and the fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than the fiber diameter of the output optical fiber. In the application, the taper section increases the divergence angle of the laser beam on the premise that the spot diameter of the laser beam is unchanged, thereby improving the quality of the laser beam output through the output optical fiber.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of laser, and particularly relates to a beam quality optimizer and a laser system. BACKGROUND

[0002] High-power laser systems have become the most core light source of laser processing equipment due to their good beam quality, small volume, light weight, high efficiency and other advantages, and have been increasingly applied in the fields of industrial laser cutting and laser welding.

[0003] A high-power laser system is composed of multiple optical modules, a laser beam combiner, a cladding light stripper and a high-power transmission optical fiber, and finally outputs stable high-power laser. Output power and beam quality are two key indicators of a laser, and the laser beam combiner can connect multiple optical modules to the same optical fiber, and the laser beam combiner affects the power and quality of laser. However, during the manufacturing process of the laser, the beam quality is often low, and the existing solution is usually to replace the laser beam combiner in the laser, and the laser beam combiner is repaired or scrapped. Replacing the laser beam combiner will affect the operating hours of the laser and cause waste of raw materials, greatly increasing the operating cost of the enterprise. SUMMARY

[0004] The embodiment of the application solves the technical problem of replacing the laser beam combiner when the beam quality of the laser is low, and provides a beam quality optimizer and a laser system.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the embodiment of the application provides a beam quality optimizer, which comprises an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber; the input optical fiber comprises an input section and a taper section connected to the input section, one end of the input section away from the taper section is connected to a cladding light stripper of a laser system, and the taper section is connected to the output optical fiber.

[0006] The fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than the fiber diameter of the input section, and the fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than the fiber diameter of the output optical fiber.

[0007] Optionally, the fiber diameter of the input section is smaller than or equal to the fiber diameter of the output optical fiber.

[0008] Optionally, the connection mode between the taper section and the output optical fiber is fusion splicing.

[0009] Optionally, the input optical fiber further comprises a transition section, the taper section is connected to the input section through the transition section, and the fiber diameter of the transition section gradually decreases from the input section to the taper section.

[0010] Optionally, the input optical fiber and / or the output optical fiber is a multimode optical fiber.

[0011] Optionally, a first straight surface is arranged on one end of the taper section away from the input section, a second straight surface is arranged on the output fiber, and the taper section connects the output fiber through the first straight surface and the second straight surface.

[0012] Optionally, a low-refractive coating layer is arranged on the outer surface of the input section and the output fiber.

[0013] Optionally, the beam quality optimizer further comprises a packaging clamp provided with a mounting hole, and the connecting part of the taper section and the output fiber is mounted in the mounting hole.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present application further provides a laser system comprising the cladding light stripper and the aforementioned beam quality optimizer, and the outlet of the cladding light stripper is connected to the end of the input section away from the taper section.

[0015] Optionally, the laser system further comprises a laser beam combiner, a fiber output device, and a plurality of fiber input devices, the outlets of the plurality of fiber input devices are connected to the inlet of the laser beam combiner, the outlet of the laser beam combiner is connected to the inlet of the cladding light stripper, and the end of the output fiber away from the taper section is connected to the inlet of the fiber output device.

[0016] In the present application, the input fiber comprises an input section and a taper section connected to the input section, the end of the input section away from the taper section is connected to the cladding light stripper of a laser system, and the taper section is connected to an output fiber; thus, the laser beam input into the taper section through the input section from the cladding light stripper, and the fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than that of the input section, so that the taper section increases the divergence angle of the laser beam without changing the spot diameter of the laser beam, thereby improving the quality of the laser beam output through the output fiber. Moreover, when the quality of the laser beam output from the cladding light stripper is unqualified, the laser system only needs to add the beam quality optimizer at the output end of the cladding light stripper, without replacing the laser beam combiner and the cladding light stripper of the laser system, thereby reducing the operation cost of the laser system. In addition, the beam quality optimizer has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The present application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic view of the beam quality optimizer provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic view of the laser system provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] The reference signs in the description are as follows:

[0021] 1. beam quality optimizer; 11. input fiber; 111. input section; 112. taper section; 113. transition section; 12. output fiber; 13. packaging fixture; 2. cladding light stripper; 3. laser beam combiner; 4. fiber output; 5. fiber input. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the technical problems solved by the present application, technical solutions and beneficial effects clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and not used to limit the present application.

[0023] It should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "middle" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only used to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the present application provides a beam quality optimizer 1, which comprises an input fiber 11 and an output fiber 12; the input fiber 11 comprises an input section 111 and a taper section 112 connected to the input section 111, one end of the input section 111 away from the taper section 112 is connected to a cladding light stripper 2 of a laser system, and the taper section 112 is connected to the output fiber 12; it can be understood that the input end and the taper section 112 are of an integrated structure, and the taper section 112 can be formed by the input fiber 11 after a tapering process. It should be noted that the input fiber 11 and the output fiber 12 are usually of one fiber structure.

[0025] The fiber diameter D2 of the taper section 112 is smaller than the fiber diameter D1 of the input section 111, and the fiber diameter D2 of the taper section 112 is smaller than the fiber diameter D3 of the output fiber 12.

[0026] In the present application, the input fiber 11 comprises an input section 111 and a taper section 112 connected to the input section 111, the input section 111 is connected to the cladding light stripper 2 of the laser system at the end far from the taper section 112, and the taper section 112 is connected to the output fiber 12; thus, the laser beam inputted by the cladding light stripper 2 to the taper section 112 through the input section 111, since the fiber diameter D2 of the taper section 112 is smaller than the fiber diameter D1 of the input section 111, the taper section 112 increases the divergence angle of the laser beam without changing the spot diameter of the laser beam, and then the laser beam outputted through the output fiber 12 has a quality equivalent to D1 / D2 times the quality of the laser beam without the beam quality optimizer 1. Moreover, when the quality of the laser beam outputted by the cladding light stripper 2 is not qualified, the beam quality optimizer 1 only needs to be added at the output end of the cladding light stripper 2, without replacing the laser beam combiner 3 and the cladding light stripper 2 of the laser system, thereby reducing the operation cost of the laser system. In addition, the beam quality optimizer 1 has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost.

[0027] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the fiber diameter D1 of the input section 111 is smaller than or equal to the fiber diameter D3 of the output fiber 12. It can be understood that when the fiber diameter D1 of the input section 111 is equal to the fiber diameter D3 of the output fiber 12, the input fiber 11 and the output fiber 12 can be the same type of fiber, so that the spot diameter of the laser beam inputted by the input section 111 to the output fiber 12 through the taper section 112 will not change, ensuring the consistency of the laser output by the laser system. When the fiber diameter D1 of the input section 111 is smaller than the fiber diameter D3 of the output fiber 12, the laser beam inputted by the input section 111 to the output fiber 12 through the taper section 112 not only increases the divergence angle of the laser beam, but also increases the diameter of the laser beam, further improving the applicability of the laser system.

[0028] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the connection between the taper section 112 and the output fiber 12 is fusion splicing. It can be understood that the taper section 112 and the output fiber 12 can be connected by fusion splicing process, and the connection position between the taper section 112 and the output fiber 12 is the fusion splicing point. In this embodiment, the beam quality optimizer 1 has a simple structure and is easy to assemble.

[0029] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1As shown, the input fiber 11 further comprises a transition section 113, the taper section 112 is connected to the input section 111 through the transition section 113, and the fiber diameter of the transition section 113 gradually decreases from the input section 111 towards the taper section 112. Understandably, the transition section 113 is in the structure of a truncated cone, and the laser beam of the input section 111 is input to the taper section 112 through the transition section 113, which ensures the smoothness of the laser beam transmission and improves the quality of the laser beam output by the laser system.

[0030] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the input fiber 11 and / or the output fiber 12 is a multi-mode fiber. Understandably, the multi-mode fiber comprises a core and a cladding wrapped on the core, and the diameter of the taper section 112 is smaller than that of the fiber. In this embodiment, the laser beam in the beam quality optimizer 1 propagates in the core and the taper section 112, which improves the safety of the laser beam propagation in the beam quality optimizer 1.

[0031] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the taper section 112 is provided with a first straight cut surface at one end away from the input section 111, the output fiber 12 is provided with a second straight cut surface, and the taper section 112 is connected to the output fiber 12 through the first straight cut surface and the second straight cut surface connected to each other. Understandably, the first straight cut surface and the second straight cut surface can be made by cutting process, and the design of the first straight cut surface and the second straight cut surface ensures the flatness of the connection between the taper section 112 and the output fiber 12.

[0032] In an embodiment, the outer surface of the input section and the outer surface of the output fiber are both provided with a low-refractive coating layer (not shown in the figure). Understandably, when the laser beam propagates in the input section 111 and the output fiber 12, the low-refractive coating layer has the effect of wrapping the light, so that the laser beam in the input section 111 and the output fiber 12 does not come out, avoiding the risk of laser beam leakage when the fiber temperature is too high and high-power transmission laser beam.

[0033] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 the beam quality optimizer 1 further comprises a packaging clamp 13 provided with a mounting hole, and the connection part of the taper section 112 and the output fiber 12 is mounted in the mounting hole. Understandably, the connection part of the taper section 112 and the output fiber 12 can be sealingly mounted in the mounting hole, and the packaging clamp 13 can function to fix the input fiber 11 and the output fiber 12, which ensures the reliability of the beam quality optimizer 1.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2As shown, another embodiment of the present invention also provides a laser system, including a cladding stripper 2 and the aforementioned beam quality optimizer 1; the outlet of the cladding stripper 2 is connected to the end of the input terminal away from the tapered section 112. Understandably, the cladding stripper 2 can filter out larger diameter spots in the laser beam, and the beam quality optimizer 1 can increase the divergence angle of the laser beam, thereby the laser beam output by the laser system has higher quality.

[0035] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the laser system also includes a laser beam combiner 3, an optical fiber output device 4, and multiple optical fiber input devices 5. The outlets of the multiple optical fiber input devices 5 are all connected to the inlet of the laser beam combiner 3. The outlet of the laser beam combiner 3 is connected to the inlet of the cladding stripper 2. The end of the output optical fiber 12 away from the tapered section 112 is connected to the inlet of the optical fiber output device 4 (that is, the outlet of the cladding stripper 2 is connected to the inlet of the beam quality optimizer 1, and the outlet of the beam quality optimizer 1 is connected to the outlet of the optical fiber output device 4). Understandably, multiple laser input devices 5 are connected to the inlet of the laser beam combiner 3, and the laser beam combiner can convert multiple laser beams into a single high-power laser beam, that is, the laser beam combiner 3 can increase the power of the laser beam. After the laser beam passes through the cladding stripper 2 to filter out the larger diameter spots, the laser beam passes through the beam quality optimizer 1 to increase its divergence angle, so that the laser beam output by the laser system has high quality and high power. Finally, the laser beam is emitted from the laser output device 4 and used for laser processing.

[0036] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A beam quality optimizer, characterized by, The input fiber includes an input section and a taper section connected to the input section, an end of the input section away from the taper section is connected to a cladding light stripper of a laser system, the taper section is connected to the output fiber; The fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than the fiber diameter of the input section, and the fiber diameter of the taper section is smaller than the fiber diameter of the output fiber; The input fiber further includes a transition section, the taper section is connected to the input section through the transition section, and the fiber diameter of the transition section gradually decreases from the input section towards the taper section; An end of the taper section away from the input section is provided with a first straight cut surface, the output fiber is provided with a second straight cut surface, and the taper section is connected to the output fiber through the first straight cut surface and the second straight cut surface connected to each other.

2. The beam quality optimizer of claim 1, wherein, The fiber diameter of the input section is smaller than or equal to the fiber diameter of the output fiber.

3. The beam quality optimizer of claim 1, wherein, The connection between the taper section and the output fiber is fusion splicing.

4. The beam quality optimizer of claim 1, wherein, The input fiber and / or the output fiber is a multi-mode fiber.

5. The beam quality optimizer of claim 1, wherein, The outer surfaces of the input section and the output fiber are provided with a coating layer with a low refractive index.

6. The beam quality optimizer of claim 1, wherein, The beam quality optimizer further includes a packaging clamp provided with a mounting hole, and the connection part between the taper section and the output fiber is mounted in the mounting hole.

7. A laser system, characterized by The laser system further includes a laser beam combiner, a fiber output device, and a plurality of fiber input devices, the outlets of the plurality of fiber input devices are connected to the inlet of the laser beam combiner, the outlet of the laser beam combiner is connected to the inlet of the cladding light stripper, and an end of the output fiber away from the taper section is connected to the inlet of the fiber output device.

8. The laser system of claim 7, wherein, ​

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