Beam combiner manufacturing method
By forming a limit section in the glass tube and limiting the optical fiber bundle, the problem of distortion and deviation of the optical fiber during the beam combiner manufacturing process is solved, and the yield rate of the beam combiner is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510348100.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
AI Technical Summary
When manufacturing the beam combiner, the optical fiber is prone to distortion, causing the central optical fiber to deviate from the center position surrounding the outer ring optical fiber, which in turn affects the performance of the beam combiner after the cone and reduces the yield rate.
By drawing the glass tube for a first draw cone to form a limit section, then forming an optical fiber bundle around the circumference of the second optical fiber, and inserting it into the glass tube, limiting the optical fiber bundle using the limit section, and then performing a secondary draw cone to form a bundle section, and finally cutting to obtain a bundle combiner.
Effectively prevent the second optical fiber from deviating from the center of the surrounding area of the first optical fiber, and improve the manufacturing yield of the beam combiner.
Smart Images
Figure CN120178418A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of laser manufacturing, and particularly relates to a method for manufacturing a beam combiner. Background Art
[0002] Fiber lasers have the characteristics of high electro-optical efficiency, simple structure, high conversion efficiency, good beam quality, and excellent heat dissipation performance, and are widely used in cutting and welding processes. Fiber lasers are widely used in the field of additive manufacturing.
[0003] A beam combiner is an important component of a fiber laser and is used to amplify the power of the fiber laser. The beam combiner includes multiple optical fibers and a glass tube. The optical fibers are disposed inside the glass tube and are fused to the glass tube.
[0004] In some types of beam combiners, the optical fibers include outer ring optical fibers and a central optical fiber. Multiple outer ring optical fibers are closely arranged around a central optical fiber, such that the central optical fiber is located at the central position surrounded by the outer ring optical fibers, and the types of the outer ring optical fibers are different from the type of the central optical fiber. For example, a pump beam combiner, a ring spot beam combiner.
[0005] At present, when manufacturing a beam combiner, it is necessary to first insert multiple optical fibers into a glass tube and then perform tapering on the glass tube and the optical fibers. However, when manufacturing a beam combiner with inconsistent central optical fiber and outer ring optical fibers, during the process of inserting the optical fibers into the glass tube, the optical fibers are prone to twisting, resulting in the central optical fiber deviating from the central position surrounded by the outer ring optical fibers. As a result, the beam combiner after tapering is prone to failure, reducing the yield rate of manufacturing the beam combiner. Summary of the Invention
[0006] An embodiment of this application provides a method for manufacturing a beam combiner, which can improve the yield rate of manufacturing the beam combiner.
[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a method for manufacturing a beam combiner, and the method for manufacturing the beam combiner includes the following steps:
[0008] Controlling a tapering device to perform a first tapering on a glass tube to form a limiting section in a first tapering area of the glass tube;
[0009] Arranging multiple first optical fibers around the circumference of a second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle;
[0010] Inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube after the first tapering;
[0011] Controlling the tapering device to perform a second tapering on the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube to form a beam combining section in a second tapering area of the glass tube;
[0012] Cutting the beam combining section to obtain a beam combiner.
[0013] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the step of arranging multiple first optical fibers around the circumference of the second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle includes:
[0014] Respectively passing multiple first optical fibers through first limiting holes of a limiting sleeve, and passing the second optical fiber through a second limiting hole of the limiting sleeve, so that the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber form the optical fiber bundle;
[0015] Wherein, a plurality of first limiting holes and one second limiting hole are provided on the limiting sleeve, and the first limiting holes are arranged around the circumference of the second limiting hole.
[0016] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, two ends of the glass tube are respectively a penetrating end and an exiting end, and the penetrating end is used for inserting the optical fiber bundle; the limiting section is located on one side of the midpoint of the glass tube close to the penetrating end.
[0017] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, at least two limiting sections are formed, and the limiting sections are arranged at intervals.
[0018] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, some of the limiting sections are located on one side of the midpoint of the glass tube close to the penetrating end, and some of the limiting sections are located on one side of the midpoint of the glass tube close to the exiting end.
[0019] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the distance between two adjacent limiting sections on the same side of the midpoint of the glass tube is 0.8 cm - 1.0 cm.
[0020] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the distance between the limiting section and the beam combining section is 0.8 cm - 1.0 cm.
[0021] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the length of the limiting section is 0.6 cm - 1.0 cnm.
[0022] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the diameters of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are both D; wherein,
[0023] When the number of the first optical fibers is 6, the inner diameter of the limiting section is (3D + 6) μm - (3D + 10) μm;
[0024] When the number of the first optical fibers is 18, the inner diameter of the limiting section is (5D + 6) μm - (5D + 10) μm.
[0025] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the inner diameter of the limiting section is the same as that of the beam combining section, and the length of the beam combining section is 2.5 cm - 3.5 cm.
[0026] In some possible embodiments of the first aspect, the glass tube is a transparent tube, and at the insertion end of the optical fiber bundle, the end of the second optical fiber protrudes from the end of the first optical fiber.
[0027] The method for manufacturing a beam combiner provided by the embodiments of the present application first performs a primary tapering on the glass tube to form a limiting section in the primary tapering area; then arranges the first optical fibers around the circumference of the second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle, so as to meet the structural requirements of the beam combiner; then inserts the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube to limit the optical fiber bundle through the limiting section; then performs a secondary tapering on the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube to form a beam combining section in the secondary tapering area; finally, cuts off the beam combining section and uses it as a beam combiner to realize the manufacturing of the beam combiner; during the process of inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube, the limiting effect of the limiting section on the optical fiber bundle can prevent the second optical fiber from deviating from the circumferential center position of the first optical fiber, thereby improving the yield rate of manufacturing the beam combiner. Description of the Drawings
[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.
[0029] Figure 1 It is a flowchart of an embodiment of the method for manufacturing a beam combiner of the present application;
[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment after tapering the glass tube and the optical fiber bundle by using the method for manufacturing a beam combiner of the present application;
[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the limiting sleeve used in the present application.
[0032] Explanation of the Reference Numerals in the Drawings:
[0033] 1. Glass tube; 11. Limiting section; 12. Beam combining section; 2. Limiting sleeve; 21. First limiting hole; 22. Second limiting hole.
[0034] The realization of the purpose, functional features, and advantages of the present application will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the drawings. Detailed Embodiments
[0035] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0036] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.
[0037] It should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.
[0038] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in the specification and appended claims of the present application refers to any combination and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes these combinations.
[0039] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0040] The embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a beam combiner to solve the technical problem of low yield rate in manufacturing a beam combiner.
[0041] In the embodiment of the present application, as Figure 1 shown, the method for manufacturing the beam combiner includes the following steps:
[0042] Step S10: Control the taper drawing device to perform a first taper drawing on the glass tube to form a limiting section in the first taper drawing area of the glass tube.
[0043] The taper drawing device of this embodiment can be an optical fiber taper drawing machine. The taper drawing device includes a stretching unit and a heating unit, the stretching unit is used to clamp the to-be-stretched piece and stretch the to-be-stretched piece, and the heating unit is used to heat the to-be-stretched area of the to-be-stretched piece. When the heating unit heats the to-be-stretched area of the to-be-stretched piece to a preset temperature, the stretching unit stretches the to-be-stretched piece again, so that the length of the to-be-stretched area of the to-be-stretched piece is elongated, and at the same time, the diameter of the to-be-stretched area will be reduced.
[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the corresponding parameters of the taper pulling device are adjusted to meet the taper pulling requirements, for example, the heating power, stretching length and other parameters of the taper pulling device can be adjusted. After the corresponding parameters of the taper pulling device are adjusted, the glass tube 1 is tapered once. The area formed by the taper pulling once on the glass tube 1 is defined as the limit section 11.
[0045] It can be understood that the limiting section 11 is formed by heating the glass tube 1 and stretching the heated area during the taper drawing process of the taper drawing device. Therefore, the diameter of the limiting section 11 is smaller than the diameter of the glass tube section that has not been tapered.
[0046] Step S20: Arrange a plurality of first optical fibers around the circumference of the second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle.
[0047] In this embodiment, the type of the first optical fiber is different from the type of the second optical fiber. The first optical fiber may be a pump optical fiber, and the second optical fiber may be a signal optical fiber.
[0048] In some types of combiners, multiple first optical fibers are arranged around the circumference of the second optical fiber, so that the first optical fiber is arranged around the second optical fiber. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the first optical fiber around the circumference of the second optical fiber to meet the requirements of the combiner for the spatial position distribution of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber.
[0049] After the first optical fiber is arranged around the circumference of the second optical fiber, the optical fiber bundle formed by combining the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is defined as an optical fiber bundle.
[0050] Step S30: inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube after the first taper.
[0051] The two ends of the glass tube 1 are defined as an entry end and an exit end, respectively. The entry end is for the optical fiber bundle to enter, and the exit end is for the optical fiber bundle to exit.
[0052] Insert the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube 1 so as to perform tapering on the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube 1 simultaneously. Since the glass tube 1 has been tapered once and the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is smaller than that of the untapered glass tube section, during the process of inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube 1, the inner wall of the limiting section 11 will play a role in limiting the optical fiber bundle. This reduces the amplitude and probability of the second optical fiber deviating from the central position around the first optical fiber, thereby improving the yield rate of manufacturing the beam combiner.
[0053] The closer the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is to the maximum outer diameter of the optical fiber bundle, the better the limiting effect of the inner wall of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle, and the smaller the probability and amplitude of the second optical fiber deviating from the circumferential center of the first optical fiber. The larger the inner diameter of the limiting section 11, the easier it is for the optical fiber bundle to be inserted into the glass tube 1. Therefore, according to actual requirements, the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 formed by the first tapering can be set to balance the ease of inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube 1 and the limiting effect of the limiting section 11.
[0054] Step S40: Control the tapering device to perform secondary tapering on the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube to form a beam combining section in the secondary tapering area of the glass tube.
[0055] As Figure 2 shown, adjust the corresponding parameters of the tapering device to meet the requirements of secondary tapering. After adjusting the corresponding parameters of the tapering device, perform secondary tapering on the glass tube 1 and the optical fiber bundle simultaneously. Define the area formed by the secondary tapering of the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube 1 as the beam combining section 12. Among them, the glass tube 1 and the optical fiber bundle in the beam combining section 12 are fused together.
[0056] It can be understood that the beam combining section 12 is the area formed by simultaneously heating the glass tube 1 and the optical fiber bundle inside the glass tube 1 during the secondary tapering process of the tapering device and stretching the heated area. Therefore, the diameter of the beam combining section 12 is smaller than that of the untapered glass tube section.
[0057] Step S50: Cut the beam combining section to obtain a beam combiner.
[0058] After the tapering is completed, cut the beam combining section 12 from the glass tube 1, and the cut beam combining section 12 can be used as a beam combiner.
[0059] In the embodiment of the present application, the glass tube 1 is first subjected to a primary taper to form a limiting section 11 in the primary taper region; then the first optical fibers are arranged in a circumferential arrangement around the second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle, so as to meet the structural requirements of the combiner; then the optical fiber bundle is inserted into the glass tube 1 to limit the optical fiber bundle through the limiting section 11; then the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube 1 are subjected to a secondary taper to form a combining section 12 in the secondary taper region; finally, the combining section 12 is cut off and used as a combiner to realize the manufacture of the combiner; during the process of inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube 1, through the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle, the second optical fiber can be prevented from deviating from the circumferential center position of the first optical fiber, thereby improving the yield rate of manufacturing the combiner.
[0060] In one embodiment, as Figures 1 to 3 shown, step S20 includes:
[0061] A plurality of first optical fibers are respectively inserted through the first limiting holes 21 of the limiting sleeve 2, and the second optical fiber is inserted through the second limiting hole 22 of the limiting sleeve 2, so that the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber form an optical fiber bundle.
[0062] As Figure 3 shown, in this embodiment, the limiting sleeve 2 is provided with a plurality of first limiting holes 21 and a second limiting hole 22, and the first limiting holes 21 are arranged in a circumferential arrangement around the second limiting hole 22.
[0063] The limiting sleeve 2 can preliminarily limit the optical fiber bundle, so that the optical fiber bundle maintains the structure of the first optical fiber surrounding the second optical fiber in the circumferential direction. When the optical fiber bundle is inserted into the glass tube 1, the limiting sleeve 2 will remain outside the glass tube 1 to continue to preliminarily limit the optical fiber bundle.
[0064] In one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the limiting section 11 is located on one side of the midpoint of the glass tube 1 close to the insertion end. To reduce the distance between the limiting section 11 and the insertion end, which is convenient for the limiting section 11 to limit the optical fiber bundle. To avoid that after the optical fiber bundle penetrates a long distance in the glass tube 1, it is not limited by the limiting section 11, resulting in the second optical fiber deviating from the circumferential center position surrounded by the first optical fiber.
[0065] In one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, at least two limiting sections 11 are formed, and the limiting sections 11 are arranged at intervals. By increasing the number of the limiting sections 11, the limiting effect on the optical fiber bundle can be further improved, and the second optical fiber can be prevented from deviating from the circumferential center position surrounded by the first optical fiber.
[0066] In this embodiment, the glass tube 1 can be subjected to the operation of primary taper multiple times to form a plurality of limiting sections 11.
[0067] In one embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, part of the limiting section 11 is located on one side of the midpoint of the glass tube 1 close to the penetrating end, and part of the limiting section 11 is located on one side of the midpoint of the glass tube 1 close to the exiting end. By reasonably distributing the position of the limiting section 11, the limiting effect on the optical fiber bundle can be further improved, and the second optical fiber can be prevented from deviating from the central position around the first optical fiber.
[0068] In this embodiment, secondary tapering is usually performed between two adjacent limiting sections 11 to form a beam combining section 12. Among them, the beam combining section 12 is usually located at the midpoint position of the glass tube 1.
[0069] In one embodiment, the distance between two adjacent limiting sections 11 on the same side of the midpoint of the glass tube 1 is 0.8 cm - 1.0 cm. If the distance between two adjacent limiting sections 11 is too large, the optical fiber bundle penetrates a long distance in the glass tube 1. After not being limited by the limiting section 11, it is easy to cause the second optical fiber to deviate from the central position around the first optical fiber. If the distance between two adjacent limiting sections 11 is too small, it is not easy to perform tapering.
[0070] Therefore, by reasonably setting the distance between two adjacent limiting sections 11, the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle can be improved, and the second optical fiber can be prevented from deviating from the central position around the first optical fiber.
[0071] In one embodiment, the distance between the limiting section 11 and the beam combining section 12 is 0.8 cm - 1.0 cm. It can facilitate secondary tapering and improve the tapering quality of the beam combining section 12.
[0072] In one embodiment, the length of the limiting section 11 is 0.6 cm - 1.0 cm, which can take into account both the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle and the difficulty of the first tapering. If the length of the limiting section 11 is too long, the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle becomes poor. If the length of the limiting section 11 is too short, it is not convenient for the first tapering.
[0073] In one embodiment, the diameters of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are both D. Among them,
[0074] When the number of the first optical fibers is 6, the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is (3D + 6) μm - (3D + 10) μm, which can improve the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle;
[0075] When the number of the first optical fibers is 18, the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is (5D + 6) μm - (5D + 10) μm, which can improve the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle.
[0076] If the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is too large, the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle becomes poor. If the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is too small, it is not easy to pass the optical fiber bundle through the glass tube 1. Therefore, when forming the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 by tapering, it is necessary to take into account both the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle and the ease of passing the optical fiber bundle through the glass tube 1.
[0077] In one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the inner diameter of the limiting section 11 is the same as that of the combining section 12. To improve the limiting effect of the limiting section 11 on the optical fiber bundle and facilitate the formation of the combining section 12 by secondary tapering.
[0078] In one embodiment, the length of the combining section 12 is 2.5 cm - 3.5 cm, so as to form the combining section 12 by secondary tapering, and thus obtain a combiner by cutting the combining section 12.
[0079] In one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the glass tube 1 is a transparent tube. Among the insertion ends of the optical fiber bundle, the end of the second optical fiber protrudes from the end of the first optical fiber. It is convenient to quickly find the second optical fiber and make a judgment on the position of the second optical fiber relative to the first optical fiber.
[0080] During the process of inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube 1, it is convenient to observe the position of the second optical fiber relative to the first optical fiber through the glass tube 1, and judge whether the second optical fiber is located at the central position surrounded by the first optical fiber, so as to facilitate the user to take corresponding measures in time.
[0081] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application, and do not limit the patent scope of the present application accordingly. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the inventive concept of the present application by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present application, or any direct / indirect application in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a beam combiner, characterized in that: The beam combiner manufacturing method comprises the following steps: Controlling the taper device to perform a primary taper on the glass tube, so as to form a limiting section in the primary taper region of the glass tube; Arranging a plurality of first optical fibers around the circumference of the second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle; Inserting the optical fiber bundle into the glass tube after the first taper; Controlling the tapering device to perform secondary tapering on the optical fiber bundle and the glass tube to form a bundle combining section in the secondary tapering region of the glass tube; The beam combiner is obtained by cutting the beam combining section.
2. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The step of arranging the plurality of first optical fibers around the circumference of the second optical fiber to form an optical fiber bundle comprises: Inserting a plurality of the first optical fibers into the first limiting holes of the limiting sleeve respectively, and inserting the second optical fiber into the second limiting hole of the limiting sleeve, so that the first optical fibers and the second optical fibers form the optical fiber bundle; Wherein, the limiting sleeve is provided with a plurality of first limiting holes and one second limiting hole, and the first limiting holes are arranged around the circumference of the second limiting hole.
3. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The two ends of the glass tube are respectively an entry end and an exit end, the entry end is used for inserting the optical fiber bundle; the limiting section is located at one side of the midpoint of the glass tube close to the entry end.
4. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 3, wherein: At least two limiting sections are formed, and the limiting sections are arranged at intervals.
5. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 4, characterized in that: Part of the limiting section is located at a side of the midpoint of the glass tube close to the insertion end, and part of the limiting section is located at a side of the midpoint of the glass tube close to the exit end.
6. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 4, wherein: The distance between two adjacent limiting sections located on the same side of the midpoint of the glass tube is 0.8 cm-1.0 cm.
7. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The distance between the limiting section and the beam combining section is 0.8 cm-1.0 cm.
8. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the limiting section is 0.6cm-1.0cnm.
9. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The diameters of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are both D; wherein, When the number of the first optical fibers is 6, the inner diameter of the limiting segment is (3D+6) μm-(3D+10) μm; When the number of the first optical fibers is 18, the inner diameter of the limiting segment is (5D+6) μm-(5D+10) μm.
10. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The inner diameter of the limiting section is the same as the inner diameter of the beam combining section, and the length of the beam combining section is 2.5 cm-3.5 cm.
11. The method for manufacturing a beam combiner according to claim 1, wherein: The glass tube is a transparent tube, and at the insertion end of the optical fiber bundle, the end of the second optical fiber protrudes from the end of the first optical fiber.