Laser system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of laser systems, in particular to a laser system. The laser system comprises a laser, an optical gate module and an optical fiber; the optical shutter module is arranged between the laser and the optical fiber; the optical shutter module can transmit laser output by the laser in a normal state so as to guide the laser to the optical fiber through a main optical path; the optical shutter module can block the main optical path in a power-on state. According to the laser system and the optical gate module provided by the invention, the main optical path can be switched between the on state and the off state by controlling the on-off of the current only by utilizing the material characteristics of the optical gate module, and the on-off of the optical gate module can be achieved without movement switching of any mechanism part, so that the problem of abrasion of the mechanism part does not exist, the precision is ensured, the structure is simple, and the cost is relatively low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser system technology, and more specifically, to a laser system. Background Technology

[0002] The laser shutter module is a key safety and control component in a laser system, mainly used to quickly block or open the laser beam path.

[0003] In related technologies, the switching control methods for laser shutter modules mainly include mechanical control and electromagnetic control. Mechanical control uses a rotating electromagnet to drive a swing arm, which in turn moves a light-blocking plate to physically block or open the light path. However, the mechanical structure may wear down over time, affecting accuracy. Electromagnetic control uses a motor to drive the shutter module's lenses and employs magnets for assisted reset, ensuring the shutter module can reset in case of power failure or malfunction. However, this method is more complex and costly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a laser system to alleviate the technical problems of low precision and complex structure in related laser systems.

[0005] The laser system provided by the present invention includes an optical shutter module; the optical shutter module is disposed between a laser and an optical fiber; under normal conditions, the optical shutter module can transmit the laser output by the laser to guide the laser through the main optical path to the optical fiber; the optical shutter module can block the main optical path when powered on.

[0006] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the optical shutter module includes a piezoelectric transducer and an acousto-optic crystal. The acousto-optic crystal is located in the main optical path. After the piezoelectric transducer is powered on, it can apply a high-frequency radio frequency signal to the acousto-optic crystal. The acousto-optic crystal is made of tellurium dioxide or fused silica.

[0007] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the laser system further includes a camera and an image processing module. The camera is capable of capturing images of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber, and the image processing module is used to identify the quality of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber based on the images captured by the camera.

[0008] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the optical shutter module further includes a control drive circuit, which is communicatively connected to the image processing module and the piezoelectric transducer. The image processing module is used to feed back a damage signal to the control drive circuit when damage is detected at the laser incident end face of the optical fiber. The control drive circuit is used to control the piezoelectric transducer to be powered on when the damage signal is received.

[0009] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the laser system further includes a laser control module, which is used to control the laser to stop emitting laser light when the image processing module detects damage at the laser incident end face of the optical fiber.

[0010] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the laser system further includes a beam splitter, which is disposed between the optical shutter module and the optical fiber and is capable of transmitting the laser; the laser incident end face of the camera and the optical fiber is located on the same side of the beam splitter, and the beam splitter is capable of reflecting the visible light reflected back from the laser incident end face of the optical fiber to the camera for imaging.

[0011] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the laser system further includes a visible light source, which is located on the same side of the beam splitter as the camera, and the beam splitter is capable of reflecting the visible light emitted by the visible light source to the laser incident end face of the optical fiber; And / or, the beam splitter is a 45° prism; And / or, a filter is provided between the camera and the beam splitter, the filter being used to filter the laser.

[0012] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the acousto-optic crystal is arranged at an angle to the main optical path; when the acousto-optic crystal receives the high-frequency radio frequency signal, it can deflect the laser to the side optical path.

[0013] Preferably, as one possible implementation, the side light path is equipped with a waste light consumption device.

[0014] Preferably, as one possible implementation, a collimating lens is provided between the laser and the optical shutter module, and a focusing lens is provided between the optical shutter module and the optical fiber.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The laser system provided by this invention features an optical shutter module that allows laser light to pass through in its normal (power-off) state. This allows the laser output from the laser to pass through the optical shutter module, be transmitted through the main optical path to the optical fiber, and then to the application end. Conversely, when the optical shutter module is powered on, it prevents laser light from passing through, thus blocking the main optical path and preventing the laser output from entering the optical fiber. In other words, the optical shutter module utilizes its material properties to switch the main optical path between conductive, blocked, and opaque states simply by controlling the flow of current. No mechanical components are required to switch the shutter on and off, eliminating wear and tear issues, ensuring accuracy, and resulting in a simple structure and low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a laser system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1-Optical shutter module; 2-Laser; 3-Fiber optic cable; 4-Camera; 5-Image processing module; 6-Laser control module; 7-Beam splitter; 8-Filter; 9-Waste light consumption device; 10-Colliding lens; 11-Focusing lens; 12-Explosion-proof plate; 13-Laser jumper connector; 14-Visible light source. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0021] See Figure 1 This embodiment provides a laser system, which includes a laser 2, an optical shutter module 1, and an optical fiber 3. The optical shutter module 1 is located between the laser 2 and the optical fiber 3. Under normal conditions, the optical shutter module 1 can transmit the laser output from the laser 2 to guide the laser through the main optical path to the optical fiber 3. When the optical shutter module 1 is powered on, it can block the main optical path.

[0022] The laser system provided in this embodiment has a shutter module 1 that allows laser light to pass through in its normal (power-off) state. Therefore, the laser light output from laser 2 can pass through the shutter module 1, be transmitted through the main optical path to optical fiber 3, and then to the application end via optical fiber 3. When the shutter module 1 is powered on, it cannot allow laser light to pass through, thus blocking the main optical path. Consequently, the laser light output from laser 2 cannot pass through the shutter module 1 and therefore cannot enter the optical fiber 3. In other words, the shutter module 1 utilizes its own material properties to switch the main optical path between the conducting and blocking states by controlling the current, without requiring any mechanical components to move or switch. Therefore, there is no issue of component wear, ensuring accuracy, and the structure is simple and cost-effective.

[0023] The aforementioned optical fiber 3 can be a medical optical fiber.

[0024] Specifically, the optical shutter module 1 may include an acousto-optic crystal, which is placed in the main optical path and can be regarded as a light guide plate. The material of the acousto-optic crystal may be tellurium dioxide (TeO2) or fused silica (SiO2). These materials have specific crystal cuts (e.g., shear waves propagating in the

[110] direction) and better acousto-optic figure of merit (M2). This means that it can achieve high diffraction efficiency with relatively low radio frequency driving power, and can deflect the laser quickly, thereby meeting the functional requirements of the optical shutter module 1. Among them, the

[110] direction is a special high symmetry direction. When the ultrasonic wave propagates in shear mode along this direction, it can exert almost the same effect on all polarization components in the light field, realizing isotropic diffraction. Thus, the incident laser, regardless of its polarization state, can be efficiently and uniformly diffracted to the same angle.

[0025] The optical shutter module 1 may also include a piezoelectric transducer. Under normal conditions, the acousto-optic crystal can transmit laser light, so the laser light output by the laser 2 can propagate to the optical fiber 3 along the main optical path through the acousto-optic crystal. When the piezoelectric transducer is powered on, it will vibrate and apply a high-frequency radio frequency signal to the acousto-optic crystal, which will excite ultrasonic waves inside the acousto-optic crystal. The ultrasonic waves will cause the acousto-optic crystal to form a moving periodic refractive index grating. The laser light output by the laser 2 will interact with the periodic refractive index grating and be deflected at the same angle inside the acousto-optic crystal. It will no longer propagate along the normal optical path (i.e., the main optical path). At this time, the optical shutter module 1 is equivalent to blocking the main optical path of laser propagation.

[0026] In the specific structure of the laser system, a camera 4 and an image processing module 5 can also be included. The camera 4 can capture images of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3. The image processing module 5 is electrically connected to the camera 4 so that it can acquire the image of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 captured by the camera 4, and process the image to identify the quality of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3. This allows for timely detection and response when damage occurs on the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3. Preferably, the camera 4 is a high-speed camera to quickly capture the damage image of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 after damage occurs. Thus, the image processing module 5 can control the light shutter module 1 to be quickly powered on based on the damage image of the laser incident end face.

[0027] A control drive circuit can also be set in the optical shutter module 1. The control drive circuit is communicatively connected to the image processing module 5 and the piezoelectric transducer. The control drive circuit is used to receive signals from the image processing module 5. When the image processing module 5 detects damage to the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3, it feeds back the damage signal to the control drive circuit. The control drive circuit controls the piezoelectric transducer to be powered on according to the damage signal, so as to quickly cut off the main optical path between the laser 2 and the optical fiber 3. In this way, the automatic control of the optical shutter module 1 can be realized without relying on manual operation. The degree of automation is high and the response speed is fast, which helps to reduce losses.

[0028] In the specific structure of the laser system, a laser control module 6 can also be included. The laser control module 6 is electrically connected to the image processing module 5. When the image processing module 5 detects damage to the laser incident surface of the optical fiber 3, it can send a command to the laser control module 6 to shut down the laser 2. Upon receiving this command, the laser control module 6 will control the laser 2 to shut down, thus stopping laser emission. In other words, when damage occurs to the laser incident surface of the optical fiber 3, the image processing module 5 can simultaneously power on the shutter module 1 and control the laser 2 to stop emitting laser light through the laser control module 6.

[0029] Specifically, a beam splitter 7 can be placed between the optical shutter module 1 and the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3. The laser emitted by the laser 2 can pass through the beam splitter 7, enter the optical fiber 3, and be transmitted to the application end. The camera 4 and the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 are placed on the same side of the beam splitter 7. The beam splitter 7 can reflect the image of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 to the camera 4 for imaging. Thus, without affecting the main laser optical path, the imaging effect of the camera 4 on the laser incident end face of the optical fiber is achieved.

[0030] Furthermore, a visible light source 14 can be provided, and the visible light source 14 and the camera 4 can be positioned on the same side of the beam splitter 7. The beam splitter 7 can then reflect visible light onto the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 to illuminate it. This ensures the clarity of the image of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 captured by the camera 4, and improves the accuracy of the image processing module 5 in recognizing the quality of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3. The visible light source 14 and the camera 4 can be configured as a single unit.

[0031] Preferably, the beam splitter 7 can be set as a 45° prism, with the beam splitter 7 at 45° to the laser light path and also at 45° to the visible light light path. The reflected light path of the visible light is parallel to the laser light path, and the input light path of the visible light is perpendicular to the laser light path, which facilitates layout and improves compactness.

[0032] Furthermore, a filter 8 can be placed between the camera 4 and the beam splitter 7 to filter out a small amount of scattered laser light, preventing some of the laser light from being reflected back to the camera 4 by the laser incident end face of the fiber 3 and interfering with the imaging.

[0033] Preferably, the acousto-optic crystal is set at an angle to the main optical path, so that when the acousto-optic crystal receives a high-frequency radio frequency signal, it can guide the laser to a side optical path that deviates from the main optical path, so as to prevent the laser from burning the devices on the main optical path.

[0034] Furthermore, a waste light consumption device 9 can be installed in the bypass light path. When the laser enters the bypass light path, the waste light consumption device 9 in the bypass light path can release the laser energy. Specifically, the waste light consumption device 9 may include a heat-conducting plate.

[0035] Specifically, a waste light guiding fiber can be installed in the side optical path, with one end of the waste light guiding fiber facing the acousto-optic crystal. By adjusting the appropriate orientation of the end face of the waste light guiding fiber, the laser propagating through the acousto-optic crystal to the side optical path can enter the waste light guiding fiber, and the waste light guiding fiber can guide the laser to the target position (e.g., waste light consumption device 9). Of course, the laser can also be directly transmitted to the target position through the air after being deflected by the acousto-optic crystal.

[0036] Specifically, a collimating lens 10 can be set between the laser 2 and the optical shutter module 1 so that the laser emitted by the laser 2 can be converted into parallel light by the collimating lens 10; a focusing lens 11 can be set between the optical shutter module 1 and the optical fiber 3 so that the laser can be focused onto the laser incident end face of the optical fiber 3 by the focusing lens 11, thereby realizing the effective utilization of the laser.

[0037] During use, fiber optic connectors are more prone to failure, such as dust or foreign objects causing localized overheating and burning of components. Therefore, in this embodiment, an explosion-proof plate 12 is provided between the focusing lens 11 and the optical fiber 3. This explosion-proof plate 12 serves as a sacrificial layer (a replaceable consumable). When a failure occurs at the fiber optic connector, the explosion-proof plate 12 closest to the optical fiber 3 will absorb the burning energy first, protecting expensive components such as the focusing lens 11 and collimating lens 10, reducing the risk of these components being burned. This not only reduces maintenance costs after a failure occurs but also saves time spent adjusting the focusing lens 11 and collimating lens 10.

[0038] In addition, the laser 2 can be a thulium fiber laser. In this case, the material of the acousto-optic crystal is preferably tellurium dioxide. The laser 2 can be equipped with a laser jumper connector 13. High-speed I / O signal communication is preferred between the laser 2 and the laser control module 6. High-speed I / O signal communication is preferred between the image processing module 5 and the shutter module 1. High-speed I / O signal communication is also preferred between the image processing module 5 and the laser control module 6.

[0039] In summary, the embodiments of this invention disclose a laser system that overcomes many technical defects of traditional laser systems, such as low precision and complex structure. The laser system provided by the embodiments of this invention does not have the problem of component wear, ensuring precision, and has a simple structure and low cost.

[0040] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this invention, and not to limit it. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention.

Claims

1. A laser system, characterized in that, Includes the light shutter module (1); The optical shutter module (1) is located between the laser (2) and the optical fiber (3); the optical shutter module (1) can transmit the laser output by the laser (2) under normal conditions, so as to guide the laser through the main optical path to the optical fiber (3); the optical shutter module (1) can block the main optical path when powered on.

2. The laser system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical shutter module (1) includes a piezoelectric transducer and an acousto-optic crystal. The acousto-optic crystal is located in the main optical path. After the piezoelectric transducer is powered on, it can apply a high-frequency radio frequency signal to the acousto-optic crystal. The acousto-optic crystal is made of tellurium dioxide or fused silica.

3. The laser system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The laser system also includes a camera (4) and an image processing module (5). The camera (4) is capable of capturing the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3). The image processing module (5) is used to identify the quality of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3) based on the image of the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3) captured by the camera (4).

4. The laser system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light shutter module (1) further includes a control drive circuit, which is communicatively connected to the image processing module (5) and the piezoelectric transducer. The image processing module (5) is used to feed back the damage signal to the control drive circuit when damage is detected on the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3). The control drive circuit is used to control the piezoelectric transducer to be powered on when the damage signal is received.

5. The laser system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The laser system also includes a laser control module (6), which is used to control the laser (2) to stop emitting laser when the image processing module (5) detects damage to the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3).

6. The laser system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The laser system also includes a beam splitter (7), which is located between the optical shutter module (1) and the optical fiber (3) and can transmit the laser. The laser incident end face of the camera (4) and the optical fiber (3) is located on the same side of the beam splitter (7). The beam splitter (7) can reflect the visible light reflected back from the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3) to the camera (4) for imaging.

7. The laser system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The laser system also includes a visible light source (14), which is located on the same side of the beam splitter (7) as the camera (4). The beam splitter (7) can reflect the visible light emitted by the visible light source (14) to the laser incident end face of the optical fiber (3). And / or, the beam splitter (7) is a 45° prism; And / or, a filter (8) is provided between the camera (4) and the beam splitter (7), the filter (8) being used to filter the laser.

8. The laser system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The acousto-optic crystal is set at an angle to the main optical path; when the acousto-optic crystal receives the high-frequency radio frequency signal, it can deflect the laser to the side optical path.

9. The laser system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bypass path is equipped with a waste light consumption device (9).

10. The laser system according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, A collimating lens (10) is provided between the laser (2) and the optical shutter module (1), and a focusing lens (11) is provided between the optical shutter module (1) and the optical fiber (3).

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