Dodging optical fiber and laser

Abstract

The utility model discloses a dodging optical fiber and a laser. Wherein the dodging optical fiber comprises a fiber core and a wrapping layer, and the wrapping layer wraps the outer side of the fiber core; the fiber core comprises a first fiber core section, a second fiber core section and a third fiber core section which are connected in sequence; the radial cross sections of the first fiber core section and the third fiber core section are circular, the radial cross section of the second fiber core section is polygonal, and the end surfaces of the first fiber core section and the second fiber core section and the end surfaces of the second fiber core section and the third fiber core section are connected in a centering manner. The dodging optical fiber can homogenize the light beam, so that the output light beam is a light beam which is relatively uniform in light intensity distribution and is approximately flat-topped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of optical fibers, and particularly relates to a light-uniforming optical fiber and a laser. Background Art

[0002] Fiber-coupled semiconductor laser arrays offer advantages such as high electro-optical efficiency and high stability, and are widely used in industrial processing, communications, biomedicine, defense and military, scientific research, medical care, and industrial manufacturing. However, because they do not output a flat-top beam with uniform intensity distribution, their use in some processing areas, such as welding, additive manufacturing, and cleaning, is limited. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above problems, the present invention discloses a light-homogenizing optical fiber and a laser to overcome the above problems or at least partially solve the above problems.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] On one hand, the utility model discloses a light-uniforming optical fiber, comprising a core and a cladding, wherein the cladding is wrapped around the outer side of the core;

[0006] The fiber core includes a first fiber core segment, a second fiber core segment and a third fiber core segment connected in sequence; the radial cross-sections of the first fiber core segment and the third fiber core segment are both circular, the radial cross-section of the second fiber core segment is polygonal, and the end faces of the first fiber core segment and the second fiber core segment, as well as the end faces of the second fiber core segment and the third fiber core segment are connected toward the center.

[0007] Furthermore, the length of the second core segment is 2m to 10m.

[0008] Furthermore, the polygon is a regular polygon.

[0009] Furthermore, the regular polygon is one of a regular quadrilateral, a regular hexagon, a regular octagon and a regular dodecagon.

[0010] Furthermore, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the polygon is not less than the radial cross-sectional diameter of the first fiber core segment and the third fiber core segment.

[0011] Furthermore, the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the polygon is smaller than the radial cross-sectional diameter of the cladding.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a coating layer;

[0013] The coating layer is wrapped around the outer side of the cladding layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the first core segment and the second core segment, and the second core segment and the third core segment are fusion-connected.

[0015] Another aspect of the utility model discloses a laser, comprising a coupling lens, the above-mentioned light-homogenizing optical fiber, and a plurality of laser single-tube units;

[0016] The coupling lens is arranged between the laser single tube unit and the light-uniforming optical fiber, and is used to couple the light beams output by each laser single tube unit into the light-uniforming optical fiber;

[0017] Each of the laser single tube units includes a semiconductor laser single tube, a fast-axis collimating lens, a slow-axis collimating lens and a small reflector; the fast-axis collimating lens and the slow-axis collimating lens are sequentially arranged on the optical path between the semiconductor laser single tube and the small reflector, and the small reflector is used to reflect the light beam emitted by the slow-axis collimating lens to the coupling lens.

[0018] Furthermore, the plurality of semiconductor laser tubes and the plurality of small reflectors are arranged in a stepped manner in a direction perpendicular to the output light beam of the semiconductor laser tube.

[0019] The advantages and beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0020] In the light-uniforming optical fiber of the present invention, by arranging the fiber core into three sections, and the radial cross-sections of the first fiber core section and the second fiber core section are both circular, and the radial cross-section of the second fiber core section is polygonal, the light-uniforming optical fiber can homogenize the light beam, thereby making the output light beam an approximately flat-top beam with relatively uniform light intensity distribution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. The same reference symbols are used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a fiber core in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a fiber core in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a laser in one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a laser in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the figure: 1. First fiber core segment; 2. Second fiber core segment; 3. Third fiber core segment; 4. Coupling lens; 5. Light-homogenizing fiber; 6. Single semiconductor laser tube; 7. Fast-axis collimating lens; 8. Slow-axis collimating lens; 9. Small reflector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clear, the following will provide a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiments of the present invention and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] The technical solutions provided by various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, a light-uniforming optical fiber is provided, which includes a core and a cladding, wherein the cladding is wrapped around the outside of the core, wherein the refractive index of the core is greater than the refractive index of the cladding.

[0030] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the fiber core includes a first fiber core segment 1, a second fiber core segment 2, and a third fiber core segment 3 connected in sequence; the radial cross-sections of the first fiber core segment 1 and the third fiber core segment 3 are both circular, and the radial cross-section of the second fiber core segment 2 is polygonal. The second fiber core segment 2 can homogenize the light beam in the uniform light fiber, and the end faces of the first fiber core segment 1 and the second core segment 2, as well as the end faces of the second core segment 2 and the third core segment 3 are centrally connected, that is, the centers of the inscribed circles of the polygonal radial cross-sections at the two ends of the second core segment 2 are aligned with the centers of the circular cross-sections at the ends of the first fiber segment 1 and the third core segment 3, respectively.

[0031] In summary, in the uniform light optical fiber of this embodiment, by setting the core into three sections, and the radial cross-sections of the first core section and the second core section are both circular, and the radial cross-section of the second core section is polygonal, the uniform light optical fiber can homogenize the light beam, and thus make the output light beam an approximately flat-top light beam with a relatively uniform light intensity distribution.

[0032] In this embodiment, the length of the second fiber core segment is 2 m to 10 m. The second fiber core segment within this length range achieves the best light beam homogenization effect without making the light homogenizing optical fiber too long.

[0033] In addition, the polygon is a regular polygon, which makes the light-homogenizing optical fiber more regular and symmetrical, and also facilitates its processing.

[0034] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, the regular polygon is a regular hexagon, that is, the radial cross section of the second core segment is a regular hexagon. Of course, in other embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the regular polygon may also be a regular octagon, that is, the radial cross section of the second core segment is a regular octagon; alternatively, the regular polygon may be a regular quadrilateral or a regular dodecagon.

[0035] In this embodiment, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the polygonal radial cross-section of the second core segment is no smaller than the radial cross-sectional diameters of the first and third core segments. Furthermore, the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the polygonal radial cross-section of the second core segment is smaller than the radial cross-sectional diameter of the cladding (i.e., the outer diameter of the cladding). This reduces light loss when the light beam passes through the homogenizing fiber.

[0036] In addition, the light-homogenizing optical fiber also includes a coating layer.

[0037] The coating layer is wrapped around the outside of the cladding to protect the outer cladding and prevent it from being damaged, which in turn affects the quality of the output light beam of the uniform light fiber.

[0038] Furthermore, the first core segment and the second core segment, as well as the second core segment and the third core segment, are fusion-connected. That is, the first core segment, the second core segment, and the third core are processed separately and then fusion-connected. Of course, the first core segment, the second core segment, and the third core can also be processed and formed as a whole.

[0039] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a laser, such as Figure 3 As shown, the laser includes a coupling lens 4, a uniform light fiber 5 in the above embodiment, and a plurality of laser single tube units; wherein the radial cross section of the second core segment in the uniform light fiber 5 is a regular hexagon, the radial cross section diameter of the first core segment is 100 μm, the inscribed circle diameter of the polygon of the radial cross section of the second core segment is 100 μm, and the circumscribed circle diameter of the polygon of the radial cross section of the second core segment is

[0040] Specifically, the coupling lens 4 is disposed between the laser single tube unit and the light homogenizing optical fiber 5 , and is used to couple the light beams output by each laser single tube unit into the light homogenizing optical fiber 5 .

[0041] In addition, each laser single tube unit includes a semiconductor laser single tube 6, a fast axis collimating lens 7, a slow axis collimating lens 8 and a small reflector 9; the fast axis collimating lens 7 and the slow axis collimating lens 8 are arranged in sequence on the optical path between the semiconductor laser single tube 6 and the small reflector 9, and the small reflector 9 is used to reflect the light beam emitted by the slow axis collimating lens 8 to the coupling lens 4.

[0042] The laser can output a nearly flat-top beam with relatively uniform light intensity distribution and can be applied in more fields.

[0043] In addition, the plurality of semiconductor laser tubes 6 and the plurality of small reflectors 9 are arranged in a stepped manner in a direction perpendicular to the light beams output by the semiconductor laser tubes 6. In this way, the light beams output by each semiconductor laser tube 6 can be reflected by the corresponding small reflectors 9 to the coupling lens 4, effectively preventing the light beams output by the semiconductor laser tubes 6 from being blocked.

[0044] In other embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4 As shown, the radial cross section of the second core segment in the uniform light optical fiber 5 used by the laser can also be a regular octagon, the radial cross section diameter of the first core segment is 100 μm, the inscribed circle diameter of the polygon of the radial cross section of the second core segment is 100 μm, and the circumscribed circle diameter of the polygon of the radial cross section of the second core segment is

[0045] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention. Based on the above teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art may make other improvements or modifications based on the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above description is only a better explanation of the purpose of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A light-uniforming optical fiber, characterized in that: The fiber comprises a core and a cladding, wherein the cladding is wrapped around the outside of the core; The fiber core includes a first fiber core segment, a second fiber core segment and a third fiber core segment connected in sequence; the radial cross-sections of the first fiber core segment and the third fiber core segment are both circular, the radial cross-section of the second fiber core segment is polygonal, and the end faces of the first fiber core segment and the second fiber core segment, as well as the end faces of the second fiber core segment and the third fiber core segment are connected toward the center.

2. The light-uniforming optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the second core segment is 2m to 10m.

3. The light-uniforming optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The polygon is a regular polygon.

4. The light-uniform optical fiber according to claim 3, characterized in that: The regular polygon is one of a regular quadrilateral, a regular hexagon, a regular octagon and a regular dodecagon.

5. The light-uniforming optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the inscribed circle of the polygon is not less than the radial cross-sectional diameter of the first core segment and the third core segment.

6. The light-uniform optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the circumscribed circle of the polygon is smaller than the radial cross-sectional diameter of the cladding.

7. The light-uniforming optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes a coating layer; The coating layer is wrapped around the outer side of the cladding layer.

8. The light-uniforming optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first core segment and the second core segment, as well as the second core segment and the third core segment are fusion-connected.

9. A laser, characterized in that: It comprises a coupling lens, a light-homogenizing optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a plurality of laser single-tube units; The coupling lens is arranged between the laser single tube unit and the light-uniforming optical fiber, and is used to couple the light beams output by each laser single tube unit into the light-uniforming optical fiber; Each of the laser single tube units includes a semiconductor laser single tube, a fast-axis collimating lens, a slow-axis collimating lens and a small reflector; the fast-axis collimating lens and the slow-axis collimating lens are sequentially arranged on the optical path between the semiconductor laser single tube and the small reflector, and the small reflector is used to reflect the light beam emitted by the slow-axis collimating lens to the coupling lens.

10. The laser according to claim 9, characterized in that The plurality of semiconductor laser tubes and the plurality of small reflecting mirrors are arranged in a stepped manner in a direction perpendicular to the output light beams of the semiconductor laser tubes.

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