Optical fiber pumping coupler and method for manufacturing optical fiber pumping coupler
The fiber pump coupler with a low taper and compact design efficiently couples high-power pump light by using a capillary and coupler structure, addressing the inefficiencies of existing couplers with high tapering and length.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202310729107.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing fiber pump couplers have a high degree of tapering and a lengthy overall length, which leads to inefficiencies in coupling high-power pump light from a multimode pump laser into single-mode or multimode fibers.
A fiber pump coupler design with a low taper and compact overall length, utilizing a capillary with openings for optical fibers and a coupler, where the fibers are fused and optically coupled to form a compact integrated structure.
The design achieves efficient and stable coupling of high-power pump light with reduced tapering and length, enhancing the performance of fiber laser systems.
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Figure CN119165589A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fiber laser system, and more particularly to a fiber pump coupler and a method for manufacturing the fiber pump coupler. Background Art
[0002] Fiber pump couplers, also called pump combiners, are essential components in fiber laser systems. These couplers are designed to couple high-power pump light from a multimode pump laser into a single-mode fiber (SMF) or multimode fiber (MMF) to provide efficient and stable pump power. Fiber pump couplers work by coupling high-power pump light from a pump laser into a fiber optic cable (typically single-mode or multimode fiber). The coupler is designed to match the mode field diameter of the pump laser to the mode field diameter of the optical fiber to minimize losses and achieve efficient coupling.
[0003] In a typical pump coupler, multiple pump fibers are arranged in a housing around a signal fiber (or around another pump fiber). The fiber bundle tapers downward so that the fibers fuse together. In some embodiments or aspects, these fibers are aligned in a splicing machine and then heated until they fuse together, thereby forming a coupling region.
[0004] The length of the coupling region is a function of the tapering of the fiber bundle. If a low degree of tapering is desired, the length of the pump coupler increases. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved pump coupler having a low degree of tapering and a compact overall length. Summary of the invention
[0005] Disclosed herein are non-limiting embodiments or aspects of a fiber pump coupler having a low taper and a compact overall length. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a fiber pump coupling device may include a plurality of optical fibers having a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers. The pump coupling device may further include a capillary having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers extends through the corresponding plurality of openings. The capillary may have an output end and an input end for receiving the plurality of optical fibers. The plurality of optical fibers may be optically coupled to the first portion of the signal fiber at the output end. The pump coupling device may further include a coupler having a second portion of the signal fiber extending therethrough. The first portion of the signal fiber may be optically coupled to the second portion of the signal fiber of the coupler at the output end of the capillary.
[0006] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the output end of the capillary can be fused to the coupler.Each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers can be fused to a corresponding one of the plurality of openings.
[0007] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the capillary may be made of quartz. The capillary may have a circular cross-section. The diameter of each of the corresponding plurality of openings of the capillary may be equal to the diameter of the plurality of optical fibers. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the diameter of the first portion of the signal optical fiber may be equal to the diameter of the second portion of the signal optical fiber.
[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of optical fibers may include a core surrounded by at least one cladding. The at least one cladding may be two claddings. The sleeve may surround at least a portion of an outer surface of the coupler.
[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a method of manufacturing a fiber pump coupling device may include inserting a plurality of optical fibers through a corresponding plurality of openings in a capillary. The plurality of optical fibers may include a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers. The method may also include fusing the plurality of optical fibers to the corresponding plurality of openings via heating, and cutting the capillary and the fused plurality of optical fibers in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of optical fibers and the capillary. The method may also include optically coupling the plurality of pump laser fibers with the first portion of the signal fiber in the cut portion of the capillary, and optically coupling the first portion of the signal fiber in the cut portion of the capillary with a second portion of the signal fiber in the coupler.
[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may further include fusing the cut portion of the capillary tube to the coupler.The method may further include providing a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the coupler.
[0011] Further embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail in one or more of the following clauses:
[0012] Item 1: A fiber pump coupling device, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers including a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers; a capillary having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers, each of the plurality of optical fibers extending through the corresponding plurality of openings, the capillary having an output end and an input end for receiving the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to the first portion of the signal fiber at the output end; and a coupler having a second portion of the signal fiber extending through the coupler, wherein the first portion of the signal fiber at the output end of the capillary is optically coupled to the second portion of the signal fiber of the coupler.
[0013] Clause 2: The fiber pump coupling device according to clause 1, wherein the output end of the capillary is fused to the coupler.
[0014] Clause 3: The fiber pump coupling device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers is fused to a corresponding one of the plurality of openings.
[0015] Clause 4: The optical fiber pump coupling device according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the capillary is made of quartz.
[0016] Clause 5: The optical fiber pump coupling device according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the capillary has a circular cross-section.
[0017] Clause 6: The fiber pump coupling device according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein a diameter of each of the corresponding openings of the capillary tube is equal to a diameter of the plurality of optical fibers.
[0018] Clause 7: The fiber pump coupling device of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers comprises a core surrounded by at least one cladding.
[0019] Clause 8: The fiber pump coupling device of clause 7, wherein the at least one cladding is two claddings.
[0020] Clause 9: The fiber pump coupling device according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein a diameter of the first portion of the signal fiber is equal to a diameter of the second portion of the signal fiber.
[0021] Clause 10: The fiber pump coupling device of any one of clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the coupler.
[0022] Item 11: A fiber pump coupling device, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers including a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers; a capillary having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers, each of the plurality of optical fibers extending through the corresponding plurality of openings, the capillary having an output end and an input end for receiving the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to the first portion of the signal fiber at the output end; and a coupler having a second portion of the signal fiber extending through the coupler, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers is fused to the corresponding plurality of openings, wherein the output end of the capillary is fused to the coupler, wherein the first portion of the signal fiber at the output end of the capillary is optically coupled to the second portion of the signal fiber in the coupler, and wherein a diameter of the first portion of the signal fiber is equal to a diameter of the second portion of the signal fiber.
[0023] Item 12: A method for manufacturing a fiber pump coupling device, the method comprising: inserting a plurality of optical fibers through corresponding plurality of openings in a capillary, the plurality of optical fibers comprising a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers; fusing the plurality of optical fibers to the corresponding plurality of openings via heating; cutting the capillary and the fused plurality of optical fibers in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of optical fibers and the capillary; optically coupling the plurality of pump laser fibers with the first portion of the signal fiber in the cut portion of the capillary; and optically coupling the first portion of the signal fiber in the cut portion of the capillary with the second portion of the signal fiber in a coupler.
[0024] Clause 13: The method of clause 12, further comprising fusing the cut portion of the capillary to the coupler.
[0025] Clause 14: The method of clause 12 or 13, wherein the capillary is made of quartz.
[0026] Clause 15: The method of any one of clauses 12 to 14, wherein the capillary has a circular cross-section.
[0027] Clause 16: The method of any one of clauses 12 to 15, wherein a diameter of each of the corresponding plurality of openings of the capillary tube is equal to a diameter of the plurality of optical fibers.
[0028] Clause 17: The method of any of clauses 12 to 16, wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers comprises a core surrounded by at least one cladding.
[0029] Clause 18: The method of clause 17, wherein the at least one cladding is two claddings.
[0030] Clause 19: The method of any one of clauses 12 to 18, wherein a diameter of the first portion of the signal optical fiber is equal to a diameter of the second portion of the signal optical fiber.
[0031] Clause 20: The method of any of clauses 12 to 19, further comprising providing a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the coupler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Figure 1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a capillary configured for use with a fiber optic coupler according to some embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure;
[0033] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A transverse cross-sectional view of a capillary tube shown in ;
[0034] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plurality of optical fibers inserted into an opening of a capillary;
[0035] Figure 3 is with Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plurality of optical fibers fused to the opening of the capillary shown in FIG.
[0036] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a fused optical fiber and a cut portion of a capillary and an end coupler as shown in FIG.
[0037] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pump coupler according to an embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure, wherein Figure 3 The fused fiber and the cut portion of the capillary shown in Figure 4 The end couplers shown in are fused together; and
[0038] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a pump coupler according to some embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure.
[0039] In FIGS. 1-6 , like reference numerals refer to like parts and elements, as appropriate, unless otherwise noted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0041] Spatial or directional terms such as "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", etc. relate to the embodiments or aspects shown in the drawings and should not be considered limiting, as the embodiments or aspects may take various alternative orientations.
[0042] All numbers used in the specification and other parts of this application should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases. "About" means ± 25% of the value, such as ± 10% of the value. However, this should not be regarded as a limitation of any analysis of values under the principle of equivalents.
[0043] Unless otherwise specified, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein should be understood to include the starting and ending values and any and all subranges or subratios contained therein. For example, a range or ratio of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios starting with a minimum value of 1 or greater and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less. The ranges and / or ratios disclosed herein represent average values over the specified ranges and / or ratios.
[0044] The terms "first", "second", etc. do not refer to any particular order or sequence, but rather to different conditions, properties or elements.
[0045] All documents mentioned herein are "incorporated by reference" in their entirety.
[0046] The term "at least" is synonymous with "greater than or equal to."
[0047] The term "not greater than" is synonymous with "less than or equal to."
[0048] Some non-limiting embodiments or aspects may be described herein in conjunction with a threshold value. As used herein, satisfying a threshold value may refer to a value being greater than a threshold value, more than a threshold value, above a threshold value, greater than or equal to a threshold value, less than a threshold value, less than a threshold value, below a threshold value, less than or equal to a threshold value, equal to a threshold value, etc.
[0049] As used herein, "at least one" is synonymous with "one or more." For example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" refers to any one of A, B, or C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, and C. For example, "at least one of A, B, or C" refers to A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B; or A and C; or B and C; or all of A, B, and C.
[0050] The term "comprising" is synonymous with "including."
[0051] refer to Figure 1A-1B, a capillary 100 according to one non-limiting embodiment or aspect is shown. The capillary 100 generally comprises an elongated body 102 having an input end 104 and an output end 106, wherein a plurality of openings 108 extend through the body 102 between the input end 104 and the output end 106. The body 102 can have a generally cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section, but other geometric shapes are not excluded. In some embodiments or aspects, the body 102 can be formed of quartz. However, this should not be construed as limiting, as the body 102 can be formed of any suitable and / or desired material.
[0052] Continue to refer Figure 1B , the plurality of openings 108 may include a central opening 110 and a plurality of peripheral openings 112 surrounding the central opening 110. In some embodiments or aspects, the plurality of peripheral openings 112 may be spaced apart from each other at equal or unequal angular intervals around the central opening 110. In some embodiments or aspects, the diameter of the central opening 110 may be equal to or greater than the diameter of the plurality of peripheral openings 112.
[0053] refer to Figure 2 , and continue to refer to Figure 1A-1B , each of the plurality of openings 108 can be configured to receive an optical fiber 200 therethrough. For example, each optical fiber 200 can be received at the input end 104 of the body 102, extend through the body 102, and exit from the output end 106. In some embodiments or aspects, the central opening 110 can be configured to receive a first portion 201 of a signal optical fiber 202, and the plurality of peripheral openings 112 can be configured to receive a corresponding plurality of pump laser optical fibers 204. In this manner, the signal optical fiber 202 in the central opening 110 of the capillary 100 is surrounded by the plurality of pump laser optical fibers 204 received in the plurality of peripheral openings 112 of the capillary 100. In some embodiments or aspects, the plurality of pump laser optical fibers 204 can be optically coupled to the first portion 201 of the signal optical fiber 202 at the output end 106 of the body 102. In some embodiments or aspects, the inner diameter D1 (in Figure 1A ) can be substantially the same as the outer diameter D2 of the plurality of optical fibers 200.
[0054] refer to Figure 2, each of the plurality of optical fibers 200 includes an optical fiber core 212 surrounded by a cladding or coating 214. In some embodiments or aspects, the outer surface of the optical fiber 200 is the outer surface of the cladding or coating 214. The cladding or coating 214 can be formed of a polymer. In some embodiments or aspects, the optical fiber 200 can include an optical fiber core 212, which is surrounded by at least a first inner cladding or coating 110, which can be optionally surrounded by a second outer cladding or coating (not shown). In the case where the optical fiber 200 includes an optional outer cladding or coating, the outer surface of the optical fiber 200 is the outer surface of the outer cladding or coating. In some embodiments or aspects, the outer cladding or coating (when present) can be formed of acrylate.
[0055] refer to Figure 3 , each of the plurality of optical fibers 200 can be fused within the corresponding plurality of openings 108. For example, the signal fiber 202 can be fused with the central opening 110 of the capillary 100, and the plurality of pump laser fibers 204 received in the plurality of peripheral openings 112 of the capillary 100 can be fused within the peripheral openings 112. In some examples, each of the plurality of optical fibers 200 can be fused within the corresponding plurality of openings 108 using a fiber fusion machine that heats the optical fibers 200 and the capillary 100 so as to fuse the optical fibers 200 to the inner surfaces of the openings 108 in the capillary 100.
[0056] refer to Figure 4 , a coupler 300 is provided. The coupler 300 has a second portion 301 of the signal optical fiber 202 extending therethrough. The coupler 300 generally includes an elongated body 302 having an input end 304 and an output end 306, wherein an opening 308 extends through the body 302 between the input end 304 and the output end 306. The opening 308 can be configured to receive a second portion 310 of the signal optical fiber 202. In some embodiments or aspects, a sleeve 312 can surround at least a portion of an outer surface 314 of the coupler 300. The body 302 can include a generally cylindrical shape having a circular cross-section, but other geometric shapes are not excluded. In some embodiments or aspects, the body 302 can be formed of quartz. However, this should not be construed as limiting, as the body 302 can be formed of any suitable and / or desired material.
[0057] The capillary 100 with the plurality of optical fibers 200 forms a fiber pump coupling device 400 together with a coupler 300. In some embodiments or aspects, the first portion 201 of the signal optical fiber 202 is optically coupled to the second portion 310 of the signal optical fiber 202 of the coupler 300 at the output end 106 of the capillary 100. In some examples, the capillary 100, such as the output end 106 of the capillary 100, can be fused with the coupler 300 using a fiber fusion machine that heats the capillary 100 and the coupler 300 until they are fused together to form a single component (see Figure 5 ). When the coupler 300 is fused with the capillary 100 , the first portion and the second portion of the signal optical fiber 202 are optically connected to form an integrated signal optical fiber 202 .
[0058] Having described the structure of the fiber pump coupling device 400, reference will now be made to Figure 6 A method 500 of manufacturing a fiber pump coupling device 400 is described. In some embodiments or aspects, the method 500 may include, at step 502, inserting a plurality of optical fibers 200 through a corresponding plurality of openings 108 in a capillary 100. As described herein, the plurality of optical fibers 200 may include a plurality of pump laser fibers 204 and a first portion 201 of a signal fiber 202 surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers 204.
[0059] Continue to refer Figure 6 At step 504, method 500 may include fusing the plurality of optical fibers 200 to the corresponding plurality of openings 108 by heating. At step 506, method 500 may include cutting capillary 100 and the fused plurality of optical fibers 200 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plurality of optical fibers 200 and capillary 100.
[0060] Continue to refer Figure 6 , the method 500 may include, at step 508, optically coupling the plurality of pump laser fibers 204 with the first portion 201 of the signal fiber 202 in the cut portion of the capillary 100. At step 510, the method 500 may include optically coupling the first portion 201 of the signal fiber 202 in the cut portion of the capillary 100 with the second portion of the signal fiber 202 in the coupler 300. At step 512, the cut portion of the capillary 100 is fused to the coupler 300.
[0061] Although various embodiments or aspects have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration and description, it should be understood that such details are only used for this purpose, and the embodiments or aspects are not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but on the contrary, the embodiments or aspects are intended to cover modifications and equivalent configurations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present application. For example, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. In fact, many of these features can be combined in ways that are not specifically recorded in this application and / or not disclosed in the specification. Although each of the dependent schemes listed below may be directly subordinate to only one scheme, the disclosure of possible embodiments includes the combination of each dependent scheme in these scheme sets with each other scheme.
Claims
1. A fiber pump coupling device, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers comprising a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers; a capillary having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers, each of the plurality of optical fibers extending through the corresponding plurality of openings, the capillary having an output end and an input end for receiving the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to the first portion of the signal optical fiber at the output end; and a coupler having a second portion of the signal optical fiber extending through the coupler, The first portion of the signal optical fiber is optically coupled to the second portion of the signal optical fiber of the coupler at the output end of the capillary.
2. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: The output end of the capillary is fused to the coupler.
3. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: Each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is fused to a corresponding one of the plurality of openings.
4. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: The capillary is made of quartz.
5. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: The capillary has a circular cross-section.
6. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: The diameter of each of the corresponding openings of the capillary tube is equal to the diameter of the plurality of optical fibers.
7. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: Each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers includes a core surrounded by at least one cladding.
8. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 7, wherein: The at least one cladding is two claddings.
9. The optical fiber pump coupling device according to claim 1, wherein: A diameter of the first portion of the signal optical fiber is equal to a diameter of the second portion of the signal optical fiber.
10. The fiber pump coupling device of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the coupler.
11. An optical fiber pump coupling device, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of optical fibers comprising a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers; a capillary having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers, each of the plurality of optical fibers extending through the corresponding plurality of openings, the capillary having an output end and an input end for receiving the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to the first portion of the signal optical fiber at the output end; and a coupler having a second portion of the signal optical fiber extending through the coupler, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers is fused to the corresponding plurality of openings, wherein the output end of the capillary is fused with the coupler, wherein the first portion of the signal optical fiber is optically coupled to the second portion of the signal optical fiber in the coupler at the output end of the capillary, and Wherein, the diameter of the first portion of the signal optical fiber is equal to the diameter of the second portion of the signal optical fiber.
12. A method for manufacturing a fiber pump coupling device, the method comprising: inserting a plurality of optical fibers through a corresponding plurality of openings in the capillary, the plurality of optical fibers including a plurality of pump laser fibers and a first portion of a signal fiber surrounded by the plurality of pump laser fibers; fusing the plurality of optical fibers to the corresponding plurality of openings via heating; cutting the capillary and the fused plurality of optical fibers in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the plurality of optical fibers and the capillary; optically coupling the plurality of pump laser fibers to the first portion of the signal fiber in the cut portion of the capillary; as well as The first portion of the signal optical fiber in the cut portion of the capillary is optically coupled to a second portion of the signal optical fiber in a coupler.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising fusing the cut portion of the capillary tube to the coupler.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The capillary is made of quartz.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The capillary has a circular cross-section.
16. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The diameter of each of the corresponding openings of the capillary tube is equal to the diameter of the plurality of optical fibers.
17. The method according to claim 12, wherein: Each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers includes a core surrounded by at least one cladding.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The at least one cladding is two claddings.
19. The method according to claim 12, wherein: A diameter of the first portion of the signal optical fiber is equal to a diameter of the second portion of the signal optical fiber.
20. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the coupler.