A laser and a control method of a laser

Abstract

The application relates to a laser and a control method of the laser. The laser comprises a beam combiner, a laser emission assembly and a second pump source. The laser emission assembly comprises a shell, an output optical fiber and a first pump source and a first beam shaping assembly arranged in the shell. The output optical fiber is arranged at an output port of the shell and connected to a first input end of the beam combiner. The laser emission assembly is configured to: first pump light emitted by the first pump source passes through the beam shaping assembly and is output through the output optical fiber, and is used for providing a basic power or a basic current; the second pump source is connected to a second input end of the beam combiner and is used for providing a main power or a main current; and the basic power is less than the main power, or the basic current is less than the main current. In the laser, the basic power or the basic current is input in advance, so that a main light path of the laser is maintained in a sub-threshold oscillation state. When the main power or the main current is input, the laser can quickly reach a steady state due to the start of oscillation, and the instantaneous impact of relaxation oscillation on a light path device is eliminated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of lasers, and more specifically, to a laser and a laser control method. Background Technology

[0002] Quasi-continuous fiber lasers typically use pulse-modulated pump sources to generate quasi-continuous lasing. During the initial pumping phase, the number of inverted particles in the upper energy level accumulates rapidly, causing the laser gain to far exceed the oscillation threshold. This results in an explosive release of particle numbers when laser oscillation is established in the resonant cavity, leading to random fluctuations in the laser cavity gain. This manifests as high-frequency spikes at the pulse leading edge, with peak power reaching 2-3 times the steady-state value—a phenomenon known as relaxation oscillation. Relaxation oscillation causes the peak power that the laser fiber can withstand to far exceed its design value, increasing the risk of laser damage and affecting its stability. Therefore, it is necessary to design a laser that suppresses relaxation oscillation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a laser to solve the technical problems of relaxation oscillation and high risk of laser damage in existing lasers.

[0004] This invention provides a laser, comprising:

[0005] A bundle combiner having a first input terminal and a second input terminal;

[0006] A laser emitting assembly includes a housing, an output optical fiber, and a first pump source and a first beam shaping assembly disposed within the housing. The output optical fiber is located at the output port of the housing and connected to a first input port. The laser emitting assembly is configured such that: a first pump light emitted by the first pump source is output through the output optical fiber after passing through the beam shaping assembly; the first pump source is used to provide substrate power or substrate current; and...

[0007] The second pump source is connected to the second input terminal and is used to provide main power or main current;

[0008] Wherein, the base power is less than the main power, or the base current is less than the main current.

[0009] Optionally, the housing is provided with a temperature control component, which is used to adjust the operating temperature of the first pump source;

[0010] And / or, the housing is sealed and filled with dry inert gas.

[0011] Optionally, the temperature control component includes a thermoelectric cooler.

[0012] Optionally, the housing is provided with a mounting base, the first pump source is mounted on the mounting base, and the semiconductor cooler is disposed between the mounting base and the bottom wall of the housing.

[0013] Optionally, the housing is further provided with a bleaching light source and a second beam shaping component. The bleaching light emitted by the bleaching light source passes sequentially through the second beam shaping component and the first beam shaping component and is output through the output optical fiber.

[0014] Optionally, the housing is further provided with an indicator light source and a third beam shaping component. The indicator light emitted by the indicator light source passes sequentially through the third beam shaping component and the first beam shaping component and is output through the output optical fiber.

[0015] Optionally, the first beam shaping component includes a first collimating mirror, a first reflecting mirror, a plane mirror, and a focusing mirror. The first pump light passes sequentially through the first collimating mirror, the first reflecting mirror, the plane mirror, and the focusing mirror, and is output through the output optical fiber.

[0016] The second beam shaping assembly includes a second collimating mirror and a second reflecting mirror. The bleached light passes sequentially through the second collimating mirror, the second reflecting mirror, the plane mirror, and the focusing mirror, and is output through the output optical fiber.

[0017] The third beam shaping component includes a third collimating mirror and a third reflecting mirror. The indicator light passes sequentially through the third collimating mirror, the third reflecting mirror, the plane mirror, and the focusing mirror, and is output through the output optical fiber.

[0018] Optionally, there is a preset height difference between the center points of the first reflector, the second reflector and the third reflector. The preset height difference is used to allow the first pump light to be incident on the cladding of the output optical fiber, the bleaching light to be incident on the core of the output optical fiber and the indicator light to be incident on the cladding of the output optical fiber.

[0019] Optionally, along the laser transmission direction, the laser further includes a resonant cavity and an output component. The resonant cavity includes a first fiber grating, a gain fiber, and a second fiber grating connected in sequence. The first fiber grating is connected to the output end of the combiner, and the output component is connected to the second fiber grating. The reflectivity of the first fiber grating is greater than that of the second fiber grating.

[0020] The resonant cavity and the output component are configured to amplify the light coupled by the beam combiner and output it through the output component.

[0021] Optionally, the housing is further provided with a photodetector, which is used to receive the light reflected by the first beam shaping component to monitor whether the light coupled by the beam combiner is amplified in the resonant cavity;

[0022] And / or, the laser further includes a cladding stripper connected between the second fiber grating and the output component.

[0023] This invention provides a laser that has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0024] By setting up a parallel laser emitter assembly and a second pump source, wherein the laser emitter assembly includes a first pump source that provides base power or base current, and the second pump source provides a main power greater than the base power or a main current greater than the base current; on the one hand, the base power or base current is input in advance, so that the main optical path of the laser is maintained in a subthreshold oscillation state. When the main power or main current is input, the laser can quickly reach a steady state because it has already started oscillating, reducing or even avoiding relaxation oscillation, thereby eliminating the instantaneous impact of relaxation oscillation on the optical path devices; on the other hand, the laser emitter assembly is modular, realizing plug-and-play, without the need to modify the main optical path of the laser.

[0025] This invention provides a control method for a laser, applied to the laser described above, the control method comprising:

[0026] At the first moment, the first pump source is controlled to output the first pump light to provide substrate power or substrate current;

[0027] At the second moment, the second pump source is controlled to output the second pump light to provide main power or main current;

[0028] The second moment is later than the first moment.

[0029] Optionally, the main power is pulsed main power, and the base power is constant base power or pulsed base power;

[0030] Alternatively, the main current may be a pulsed main current, and the base current may be a constant current or a pulsed base current.

[0031] This invention provides a laser control method, which is applied to the laser described above and has all the advantages of the laser described above, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a laser emitting component in a laser provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2A partial structural diagram of a beam combiner and resonant cavity in a laser provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between substrate power or substrate current, main power or main current, and laser waveform and time in a laser provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between substrate power or substrate current, main power or main current, and laser waveform and time in a laser provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] 10. Beam combiner; 20. Laser emitting assembly; 210. Housing; 211. Semiconductor cooler; 212. Mounting base; 220. Output fiber; 230. First pump source; 240. First beam shaping assembly; 241. First collimating lens; 242. First reflecting mirror; 243. Plane mirror; 244. Focusing lens; 250. Bleaching light source; 260. Second beam shaping assembly; 261. Second collimating lens; 262. Second reflecting mirror; 270. Indicator light source; 280. Third beam shaping assembly; 281. Third collimating lens; 282. Third reflecting mirror; 290. Photodetector; 30. Second pump source; 40. Resonant cavity; 410. First fiber grating; 420. Gain fiber; 430. Second fiber grating; 50. Output assembly; 60. Cladding light stripper; t1, first time step; t2, second time step. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 1-4 Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0039] This invention provides a laser, see attached figure. Figure 1 and Figure 2The laser includes a beam combiner 10, a laser emitting assembly 20, and a second pump source 30. The beam combiner 10 has a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The laser emitting assembly 20 includes a housing 210, an output fiber 220, and a first pump source 230 and a first beam shaping assembly 240 disposed within the housing 210. The output fiber 220 is disposed at the output port of the housing 210 and connected to the first input terminal. The laser emitting assembly 20 is configured such that: the first pump light emitted by the first pump source 230 is output through the output fiber 220 after passing through the beam shaping assembly; the first pump source 230 is used to provide base power or base current; the second pump source 30 is connected to the second input terminal and is used to provide main power or main current; wherein, the base power is less than the main power, or the base current is less than the main current. It should be noted that... (See Appendix...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the laser is working, at the first time t1, the first pump source 230 is controlled to output the first pump light to provide the base power or base current; at the second time t2, the second pump source 30 is controlled to output the second pump light to provide the main power or main current. The second time t2 is later than the first time t1.

[0040] This invention provides a laser that includes a parallel laser emitter assembly and a second pump source 30. The laser emitter assembly includes a first pump source 230, which provides base power or base current. The second pump source 30 provides a main power greater than the base power or a main current greater than the base current. On one hand, the base power or base current is input in advance, allowing the main optical path of the laser to maintain a subthreshold oscillation state. When the main power or main current is input, the laser can quickly reach a steady state because it has already started oscillating, reducing or even avoiding relaxation oscillations, thereby eliminating the instantaneous impact of relaxation oscillations on the optical path devices. On the other hand, the laser emitter assembly is modular, enabling plug-and-play operation without requiring modification to the main optical path of the laser.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, a temperature control component is provided inside the housing 210 to regulate the operating temperature of the first pump source 230. It should be noted that at low temperatures, the substrate power or substrate current increases, while at high temperatures, the substrate power or substrate current decreases. At extreme temperatures, such as below zero degrees Celsius, the substrate power or substrate current cannot be provided, resulting in the inability to suppress relaxation oscillations. This configuration, firstly, ensures that the first pump source 230 operates in a constant-temperature environment, with the wavelength of the output first pump light and the substrate power or substrate current remaining constant or experiencing only minor fluctuations, avoiding relaxation oscillations caused by temperature changes; secondly, only the temperature of the first pump source 230 needs to be controlled, eliminating the need for temperature control of the second pump source 30, facilitating temperature control, reducing costs, energy consumption, and space saving.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, the housing 210 is sealed and filled with dry inert gas. This arrangement prevents condensation from occurring on the optical components inside the housing 210.

[0043] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1 The temperature control component includes a thermoelectric cooler 211, which can be located at any position on the housing 210, as long as it does not obstruct the transmission of light. For example, the thermoelectric cooler 211 can be located between the bottom wall of the housing 210 and the first pump source 230.

[0044] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1 The housing 210 has a mounting base 212 inside, the first pump source 230 is mounted on the mounting base 212, and the semiconductor cooler 211 is located between the mounting base 212 and the bottom wall of the housing 210. In this configuration, the first pump source 230 is mounted on the bottom wall of the housing 210 via the mounting base 212.

[0045] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1 The housing 210 also includes a bleaching light source 250 and a second beam shaping assembly 260. The bleaching light emitted by the bleaching light source 250 passes sequentially through the second beam shaping assembly 260 and the first beam shaping assembly 240, and is output through the output fiber 220. This configuration is used to suppress photon darkening effects or catalyze the bleaching reaction, thereby improving the power and lifespan of the laser.

[0046] In this embodiment of the invention, the temperature control component is also used to adjust the working temperature of the bleaching light source 250.

[0047] In this embodiment of the invention, the bleaching light source 250 is mounted on the mounting base 212. This configuration allows the bleaching light source 250 to be mounted on the bottom wall of the housing 210 via the mounting base 212.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1 The housing 210 also includes an indicator light source 270 and a third beam shaping component 280. The indicator light emitted by the indicator light source 270 passes sequentially through the third beam shaping component 280 and the first beam shaping component 240, and is output through the output optical fiber 220. It should be noted that the indicator light source 270 can be either a red or blue light indicator light source. This configuration, with the indicator light source 270 inside the housing 210 and the indicator light emitted by the indicator light source 270 output through the output optical fiber 220, facilitates observation of whether the laser's optical path is normal.

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, the temperature control component is also used to adjust the operating temperature of the indicator light source 270.

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention, the indicator light source 270 is mounted on the mounting base 212. This configuration allows the indicator light source 270 to be mounted on the bottom wall of the housing 210 via the mounting base 212.

[0051] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1 The first beam shaping assembly 240 includes a first collimating mirror 241, a first reflecting mirror 242, a plane mirror 243, and a focusing mirror 244. The first pump light passes sequentially through the first collimating mirror 241, the first reflecting mirror 242, the plane mirror 243, and the focusing mirror 244, and is output through the output fiber 220. Specifically, the first pump light is first collimated by the first collimating mirror 241, then reflected by the first reflecting mirror 242 to change the output direction of the collimated first pump light. Then, the first pump light reflected by the first reflecting mirror 242 passes through the plane mirror 243 and is focused by the focusing mirror 244 before being output through the output fiber 220.

[0052] The second beam shaping assembly 260 includes a second collimating mirror 261 and a second reflecting mirror 262. The bleached light passes sequentially through the second collimating mirror 261, the second reflecting mirror 262, the plane mirror 243, and the focusing mirror 244, and is output through the output fiber 220. Specifically, the bleached light is first collimated by the second collimating mirror 261, then reflected by the second reflecting mirror 262 to change the output direction of the collimated bleached light. After being reflected by the second reflecting mirror 262, the bleached light passes through the plane mirror 243 and is focused by the focusing mirror 244 before being output through the output fiber 220.

[0053] The third beam shaping assembly 280 includes a third collimating mirror 281 and a third reflecting mirror 282. The indicator light passes sequentially through the third collimating mirror 281, the third reflecting mirror 282, the plane mirror 243, and the focusing mirror 244, and is output through the output fiber 220. Specifically, the indicator light is first collimated by the third collimating mirror 281, then reflected by the third reflecting mirror 282 to change the output direction of the collimated indicator light. After being reflected by the third reflecting mirror 282, the indicator light passes through the plane mirror 243 and is focused by the focusing mirror 244 before being output through the output fiber 220.

[0054] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1A preset height difference exists between the center points of the first reflector 242, the second reflector 262, and the third reflector 282. This preset height difference is used to direct the first pump light into the cladding of the output fiber 220, the bleached light into the fiber core of the output fiber 220, and the indicator light into the cladding of the output fiber 220. This configuration guides the first pump light into the cladding, preventing energy loss from entering the fiber core and improving pump efficiency; it guides the bleached light to be focused on the fiber core, ensuring low-loss transmission of the bleached light within the fiber core; and it guides the indicator light into the fiber cladding, avoiding interference with the bleached light. In other words, it achieves spatial separation of the first pump light, the bleached light, and the indicator light, allowing them to transmit independently and avoiding cross-interference.

[0055] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 2 Along the transmission direction of the laser, the laser also includes a resonant cavity 40 and an output component 50. The resonant cavity 40 includes a first fiber grating 410, a gain fiber 420, and a second fiber grating 430 connected in sequence. The first fiber grating 410 is connected to the output end of the combiner 10, and the output component 50 is connected to the second fiber grating 430. The reflectivity of the first fiber grating 410 is greater than that of the second fiber grating 430. The resonant cavity 40 and the output component 50 are configured to amplify the light coupled through the combiner 10 and output it through the output component 50.

[0056] In this embodiment of the invention, see appendix. Figure 1 The housing 210 also includes a photodetector 290, which receives light reflected from the first beam shaping assembly 240 to monitor whether the light coupled by the beam combiner 10 is amplified in the resonant cavity 40. Specifically, the photodetector 290 receives light reflected from the first fiber grating 410 in the resonant cavity 40 to the beam combiner 10, and then reflected sequentially by the output fiber 220, the focusing lens 244, and the plane mirror 243.

[0057] In this embodiment of the invention, the temperature control component is also used to adjust the operating temperature of the photodetector 290. It should be noted that temperature changes may cause changes in the reading of the photodetector 290. This setting prevents false alarms from occurring in the photodetector 290.

[0058] In this embodiment of the invention, the photodetector 290 is mounted on the mounting base 212. This configuration allows the photodetector 290 to be mounted on the bottom wall of the housing 210 via the mounting base 212.

[0059] In this embodiment of the invention, the laser further includes a cladding light stripper 60, which is connected between the second fiber grating 430 and the output component 50.

[0060] This invention also provides a laser control method, applied to the aforementioned laser, see attached figure. Figure 3and Figure 4 The control methods include:

[0061] S100, at the first moment t1, control the first pump source 230 to output the first pump light to provide substrate power or substrate current;

[0062] S200, at the second time t2, control the second pump source 30 to output the second pump light to provide main power or main current;

[0063] The second time t2 is later than the first time t1.

[0064] The laser control method provided in this embodiment of the invention, when applied to the laser described above, possesses all the advantages of the laser described above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0065] See appendix Figure 3 In this embodiment of the invention, the main power is a pulsed main power; the type of base power is not limited, specifically as follows: for example, the base power can be a constant base power; this setting provides a continuous base power. Alternatively, the base power can be a pulsed base power; this setting provides an intermittent base power, which can reduce heat generation and energy consumption.

[0066] See appendix Figure 4 In this embodiment of the invention, the main current is a pulsed main current; the type of base current is not limited, specifically as follows: for example, the base current can be a constant current; this setting provides a continuous base current. Alternatively, the base current can be a pulsed base current; this setting provides an intermittent base current, which can reduce heat generation and energy consumption.

[0067] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A laser, characterized in that, include: The bundle combiner (10) has a first input terminal and a second input terminal; A laser emitting assembly (20) includes a housing (210), an output optical fiber (220), and a first pump source (230) and a first beam shaping assembly (240) disposed within the housing (210). The output optical fiber (220) is located at the output port of the housing (210) and connected to the first input port. The laser emitting assembly (20) is configured such that: a first pump light emitted by the first pump source (230) is output through the first beam shaping assembly (240) and then through the output optical fiber (220). The first pump source (230) is used to provide substrate power or substrate current; and... The second pump source (30) is connected to the second input terminal and is used to provide main power or main current; Wherein, the base power is less than the main power, or the base current is less than the main current; The housing (210) is also provided with a bleaching light source (250) and a second beam shaping component (260). The bleaching light emitted by the bleaching light source (250) passes through the second beam shaping component (260) and the first beam shaping component (240) in sequence and is output through the output optical fiber (220). The housing (210) is also provided with an indicator light source (270) and a third beam shaping component (280). The indicator light emitted by the indicator light source (270) passes through the third beam shaping component (280) and the first beam shaping component (240) in sequence and is output through the output optical fiber (220). The first beam shaping component (240) includes a first collimating lens (241), a first reflecting mirror (242), a plane mirror (243), and a focusing lens (244). The first pump light passes sequentially through the first collimating lens (241), the first reflecting mirror (242), the plane mirror (243), and the focusing lens (244) and is output through the output optical fiber (220). The second beam shaping assembly (260) includes a second collimating lens (261) and a second reflecting mirror (262). The bleached light passes sequentially through the second collimating lens (261), the second reflecting mirror (262), the plane mirror (243), and the focusing lens (244) and is output through the output optical fiber (220). The third beam shaping component (280) includes a third collimating mirror (281) and a third reflecting mirror (282). The indicator light passes sequentially through the third collimating mirror (281), the third reflecting mirror (282), the plane mirror (243), and the focusing mirror (244) and is output through the output optical fiber (220). There is a preset height difference between the center points of the first reflector (242), the second reflector (262) and the third reflector (282). The preset height difference is used to allow the first pump light to be incident on the cladding of the output optical fiber (220), the bleaching light to be incident on the core of the output optical fiber (220), and the indicator light to be incident on the cladding of the output optical fiber (220).

2. The laser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (210) is provided with a temperature control component, which is used to adjust the operating temperature of the first pump source (230); And / or, the housing (210) is sealed and filled with dry inert gas.

3. The laser according to claim 2, characterized in that, The temperature control component includes a semiconductor cooler (211).

4. The laser according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing (210) is provided with a mounting base (212), the first pump source (230) is installed on the mounting base (212), and the semiconductor cooler (211) is located between the mounting base (212) and the bottom wall of the housing (210).

5. The laser according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Along the transmission direction of the laser, the laser also includes a resonant cavity (40) and an output component (50). The resonant cavity (40) includes a first fiber grating (410), a gain fiber (420), and a second fiber grating (430) connected in sequence. The first fiber grating (410) is connected to the output end of the combiner (10), and the output component (50) is connected to the second fiber grating (430). The reflectivity of the first fiber grating (410) is greater than that of the second fiber grating (430). The resonant cavity (40) and the output component (50) are configured to amplify the light coupled by the beam combiner (10) and output it through the output component (50).

6. The laser according to claim 5, characterized in that, The housing (210) is also provided with a photodetector (290), which is used to receive the light reflected by the first beam shaping component (240) to monitor whether the light coupled by the beam combiner (10) is amplified in the resonant cavity (40); And / or, the laser further includes a cladding stripper (60) connected between the second fiber grating (430) and the output component (50).

7. A method for controlling a laser, characterized in that, The control method, applied to any one of claims 1-6, comprises: At the first moment t1, the first pump source (230) is controlled to output the first pump light to provide substrate power or substrate current; At the second time t2, the second pump source (30) is controlled to output the second pump light to provide main power or main current; The second time t2 is later than the first time t1.

8. The laser control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The main power is pulsed main power, and the base power is constant base power or pulsed base power; Alternatively, the main current may be a pulsed main current, and the base current may be a constant current or a pulsed base current.

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