Integrated fiber laser
By designing an integrated fiber laser, using a beam splitter pump combiner and a 2x2 inline bipolar isolator, and optimizing the optical path structure, the problems of high loss, large size, and high cost of traditional fiber lasers are solved, resulting in a more efficient, stable, and flexible fiber laser.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520631783.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-04-03
AI Technical Summary
Traditional fiber lasers have a large number of components, resulting in high insertion loss, large size, and high cost. In addition, the numerous fusion splices between components affect stability and efficiency.
A beam splitter pumped combiner is used to replace the traditional combiner and beam splitter coupler. Combined with a 2x2 inline bipolar isolator, the number of components and fusion splices is reduced, the optical path design is optimized, multi-clad fiber and high-temperature coated fiber are used to adapt to different environments, and the control circuit adjustment is increased.
Significantly reduces losses, shrinks size, improves energy conversion efficiency and output power stability, lowers costs, expands application range, and enhances equipment stability and applicability.
Smart Images
Figure CN223942205U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of fiber laser technology, and in particular to an integrated fiber laser. Background Technology
[0002] Fiber lasers, as an important component of modern optoelectronic technology, are widely used in industrial processing, medical equipment, and communication systems. Their high efficiency, high stability, and compact structure have greatly promoted the development of related industries. With the increasing demands on fiber laser performance, optimizing their internal structure to reduce loss, decrease size, and control cost has become a key research focus. Traditional fiber lasers are typically composed of discrete components such as pump combiners, gain fibers, isolators, and beam splitters, connected in series through multiple fusion splices. This type of fiber laser has a large number of components, and some require additional fusion splices, leading to accumulated insertion loss. Utility Model Content
[0003] This application provides an integrated fiber laser to solve the problem of high insertion loss caused by the large number of components in current fiber lasers.
[0004] An integrated fiber laser includes:
[0005] Seed light source can provide signal light;
[0006] A 2x2 online bipolar isolator includes a first input port, a first output port, a second input port, and a second output port. The first input port and the first output port correspond to each other, and the second input port and the second output port correspond to each other. The seed light source is connected to the first input port.
[0007] A multi-clad optical fiber, one end of which is connected to the first output port;
[0008] A beam splitter pump combiner is provided with a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the other end of the multi-clad optical fiber, and the second end is connected to the second input port.
[0009] A pump laser, connected to the second end and capable of providing pump light;
[0010] The MON port is connected to the second end and is capable of monitoring the power of the signal light;
[0011] The OUT port is connected to the second output port. The beam splitter pump combiner can couple pump light and split signal light and transmit it to the MON port and the OUT port.
[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the beam splitter pump combiner replaces the traditional beam combiner and beam splitter coupler. This not only converts the pump light into signal light and amplifies it, but also splits the signal light and transmits it to the MON and OUT ports, thereby reducing one device and at least two fusion splices, and lowering the loss by more than 0.3 dB. Using a 2x2 in-line isolator to synchronously achieve isolation between the pre-stage and post-stage, similarly reduces one isolator and two fusion splices, lowering the loss by 0.2 dB. This significantly reduces overall loss, shrinks the overall size of the fiber laser, and improves the energy conversion efficiency and output power stability of the fiber laser. Simultaneously, the reduction in the number of devices directly lowers raw material costs, reduces process complexity and costs in the production process, and helps improve the product's market competitiveness.
[0013] In one embodiment, the 2x2 online bipolar isolator further includes a bidirectional isolation unit disposed between the first input port and the first output port, and between the second input port and the second output port.
[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, it is ensured that the signal light can only travel from the first input port to the first output port and from the second input port to the second output port, effectively preventing the signal light from being transmitted in reverse. This results in a forward optical path insertion loss of <0.6dB and a reverse isolation of >35dB. This avoids interference from reflected light to the seed light source and other optical components, improves the stability and reliability of the fiber laser, and reduces laser output fluctuations and noise caused by reflected light.
[0015] In one embodiment, the bidirectional isolation unit includes two dual fiber collimators and a bipolar isolation core, wherein two dual fiber collimators are provided and are respectively located near the input port and the output port, and the bipolar isolation core is located between the two dual fiber collimators.
[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the dual fiber collimators are located near the input and output ports respectively, enabling collimation of the optical signal in the fiber and improving the coupling efficiency of the optical signal. The bipolar isolation core is located between the two dual fiber collimators, further enhancing the isolation effect of the optical signal. This structural design is reasonable and can effectively reduce the reflection and interference of the optical signal, improve the performance of the isolator, and thus improve the performance of the entire laser.
[0017] In one embodiment, the multi-clad optical fiber is an active optical fiber or a passive optical fiber; the multi-clad optical fiber is a double-clad optical fiber or a triple-clad optical fiber.
[0018] By adopting the above technical solutions, active optical fibers are suitable for applications requiring gain amplification, while passive optical fibers are suitable for simple optical signal transmission, thus improving the applicability and flexibility of the laser. Double-clad fibers typically have better pump light coupling efficiency, while triple-clad fibers may have unique advantages in certain special applications. This classification method allows the integrated fiber laser to better adapt to different operating conditions and application scenarios, expanding its application range.
[0019] In one embodiment, the multi-clad optical fiber is an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped double-clad optical fiber, an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped high-temperature resistant polyester-coated double-clad optical fiber, an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated double-clad optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad active optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad active optical fiber, or an all-glass double-clad active optical fiber.
[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the beam splitter pump combiner can couple the pump light into the multi-clad fiber to facilitate signal amplification and improve laser output power; the high-temperature coated fiber is suitable for high-temperature environments, thus broadening the application range of fiber lasers.
[0021] In one embodiment, the multi-clad optical fiber is a passive double-clad optical fiber, a passive high-temperature resistant polyester-coated double-clad optical fiber, a passive high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated double-clad optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber, or an all-glass double-clad passive optical fiber.
[0022] By adopting the above technical solutions, passive optical fiber can be used for optical transmission and signal processing. Users can select appropriate passive optical fiber according to actual optical transmission requirements, such as transmission distance and ambient temperature, to ensure stable transmission of signal light. Then, the signal light is coupled with the pump light in the beam splitter pump combiner, amplified and split.
[0023] In one embodiment, the pump laser is single-core pumped, dual-core pumped, or multi-core pumped.
[0024] By adopting the above technical solutions, the single-core pump structure is simple and has a low cost; dual-core pump and multi-core pump can provide higher pump power and are suitable for occasions that require high-power laser output. The pump power and method can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs.
[0025] In one embodiment, the pump laser uses a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated or high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated multimode fiber to transmit the pump light.
[0026] By adopting the above technical solutions, using high-temperature resistant polyester-coated or polyimide-coated multimode optical fibers to transmit pump light can ensure efficient transmission of pump light and adapt to different working environments.
[0027] In one embodiment, the seed light source uses G.652D single-mode fiber, high-temperature resistant polyester-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber, high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber, or G.654E single-mode fiber to transmit signal light.
[0028] By adopting the above technical solutions, these single-mode optical fibers can ensure high-quality transmission of signal light and reduce signal dispersion and loss. Meanwhile, the application of high-temperature resistant and bend-resistant coatings ensures that the optical fibers maintain good transmission performance even in high-temperature environments and under external forces such as bending, guaranteeing stable signal light transmission.
[0029] In one embodiment, the integrated fiber laser also includes control circuitry.
[0030] By adopting the above technical solution, parameters such as pump power and seed light source output power can be precisely adjusted through the control circuit, enabling the fiber laser to automatically adjust its working state according to different working conditions and application requirements, thereby improving the automation level and ease of use of the equipment.
[0031] In summary, this application includes at least one beneficial effect:
[0032] 1. A beam splitter pump combiner replaces the traditional beam combiner and beam splitter coupler. This not only converts the pump light into signal light and amplifies it, but also splits the signal light and transmits it to the MON and OUT ports. This reduces one device and at least two fusion splices, lowering the loss by more than 0.3 dB. Using a 2x2 in-line isolator to synchronously isolate the pre-stage and post-stage lasers also reduces one isolator and two fusion splices, lowering the loss by 0.2 dB. This significantly reduces overall loss, allowing for a reduction in the overall size of the fiber laser and improving its energy conversion efficiency and output power stability. Simultaneously, the reduction in the number of devices directly lowers raw material costs, reduces process complexity and costs during production, and enhances the product's market competitiveness.
[0033] 2. This ensures that the signal light can only travel from the first input port to the first output port and from the second input port to the second output port, effectively preventing reverse transmission of the signal light. This results in a forward optical path insertion loss of <0.6dB and a reverse isolation of >35dB. This avoids interference from reflected light to the seed light source and other optical components, improves the stability and reliability of the fiber laser, and reduces laser output fluctuations and noise caused by reflected light.
[0034] 3. Active fiber is suitable for applications requiring gain amplification, while passive fiber is suitable for simple optical signal transmission, improving the applicability and flexibility of the laser. Double-clad fiber typically has better pump light coupling efficiency, while triple-clad fiber may have unique advantages in certain special applications. This classification method allows the integrated fiber laser to better adapt to different operating conditions and application scenarios, expanding its application range. Attached Figure Description
[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a fiber laser provided by existing technology;
[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an integrated fiber laser provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an isolator provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Integrated fiber laser; 11. Seed light source; 12. 2x2 in-line bipolar isolator; 121. Dual fiber collimator; 122. Bipolar isolator core; 13. Multiclad fiber; 14. Splitter-pump combiner; 15. Pump laser. Detailed Implementation
[0039] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 3 The integrated fiber laser provided in this application will be described in further detail.
[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, in the prior art, fiber lasers include a seed source, a pre-stage isolator, a multi-clad fiber, a pump combiner, a pump laser, a post-stage isolator, and a beam splitter coupler. These devices are arranged in order from left to right in the figure. At least the combiner, coupler, pre-stage and post-stage isolator need to be fused in series, resulting in a large number of fusion points, which in turn leads to the accumulation of insertion loss.
[0041] Example 1
[0042] Please see Figures 2 to 3 The integrated fiber laser 1 provided in this application embodiment includes a seed light source 11, a 2x2 inline bipolar isolator 12, a multi-clad fiber 13, a beam splitter pump combiner 14, a pump laser 15, a MON port, and an OUT port.
[0043] like Figure 2As shown, the seed light source 11 is connected to the first input port of the 2x2 online bipolar isolator 12. Specifically, the seed light source 11 can use G.652D single-mode fiber, high-temperature resistant polyester-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber, high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber, or G.654E single-mode fiber to transmit signal light. For example, G.652D single-mode fiber can be used, which has low dispersion and is suitable for short-distance communication; high-temperature resistant polyester-coated or high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber can also be used, which has good bend resistance and is suitable for compact equipment; G.654E single-mode fiber can also be used, which is suitable for long-distance communication. The wavelength range of the seed light source 11 is 1400nm to 1700nm, for example, a wavelength of 1550nm can be selected to meet the needs of conventional optical fiber communication. Moreover, it can include single wavelength, dual wavelength, or multiple wavelengths. When the wavelength is dual wavelength or multiple wavelengths, the wavelength spacing is greater than 0.08nm to avoid interference, crosstalk, and other problems caused by wavelengths being too close.
[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the 2x2 inline bipolar isolator 12 includes a first input port, a first output port, a second input port, a second output port, and a bidirectional isolation unit. The first input port and the first output port correspond to each other, and the second input port and the second output port correspond to each other. The bidirectional isolation unit is located between the first input port and the first output port, and between the second input port and the second output port, ensuring that signal light can only be transmitted from the first input port to the first output port and from the second input port to the second output port, making reverse transmission difficult. In this embodiment, the bidirectional isolation unit may include two dual-fiber collimators 121 and a bipolar isolation core 122. The two dual-fiber collimators 121 are respectively located at the input port and the output port of the isolator, and the bipolar isolation core 122 is located between the two dual-fiber collimators 121. The collimators convert non-parallel beams in the optical fiber into parallel beams to facilitate effective beam transmission inside the isolator. The bipolar isolation core 122 can utilize magneto-optical effects (such as the Faraday effect) to achieve unidirectional transmission of optical signals and isolation of reflected light.
[0045] The two ends of the multi-clad optical fiber 13 are connected to the first output port of the 2x2 inline bipolar isolator 12 and the beam splitter pump combiner 14, respectively. The multi-clad optical fiber 13 can be an active optical fiber or a passive optical fiber, and it can be a double-clad optical fiber or a triple-clad optical fiber. In this embodiment, the multi-clad optical fiber 13 is an active optical fiber and extends into the beam splitter pump combiner 14. In addition to transmitting optical signals, it can also perform signal amplification, regeneration, modulation, and other processing. Specifically, the multi-clad optical fiber 13 can be an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped double-clad optical fiber, an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped high-temperature resistant polyester-coated double-clad optical fiber, an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated double-clad optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad active optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad active optical fiber, or an all-glass double-clad active optical fiber. For example, active erbium-ytterbium co-doped double-clad fiber can be used, which has high gain characteristics and is suitable for medium-power lasers; high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad active fiber or high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad active fiber can also be used, which has excellent high-temperature resistance and is suitable for applications in high-temperature environments.
[0046] The beam splitter pump combiner 14 has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the multi-clad fiber 13, and the second end is connected to the pump laser 15, the second input port, and the MON port. The OUT port is connected to the second output port of the 2x2 inline bipolar isolator 12. The beam splitter pump combiner 14 can couple the pump light into the multi-clad fiber 13 and split the signal light and transmit it to the MON and OUT ports. Specifically, the beam splitter pump combiner 14 adopts a special tapered coupling process and the splitting ratio ranges from 0.01% to 5%, with a splitting accuracy error of <±1%. For example, when the splitting ratio is 1%, it can be used for real-time monitoring of signal light intensity; when the splitting ratio is 5%, it can be used to enhance the detection sensitivity of signal light.
[0047] The pump laser 15 has a wavelength range of 900nm to 1000nm and can be single-core pumped, dual-core pumped, or multi-core pumped. For example, a single-core pump laser 15 with a wavelength of 980nm can be selected, which has a high energy conversion efficiency; dual-core or multi-core pump lasers 15 can also be selected to meet high power requirements. The pump laser 15 can be coupled to the multi-clad fiber 13 in the beam splitter pump combiner 14 using a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated or polyimide-coated multimode fiber to transmit the pump light, ensuring the stability and reliability of the pump light during transmission, so that the pump light is converted into signal light.
[0048] The second end of the beam splitter-pump combiner 14 is connected to the MON port and the second input port via a single-mode fiber. The MON port is used to monitor the output power of the signal light; the OUT port is used to output the signal light. Its construction features high power carrying capacity, supporting high-power pulse output at the 6000W level, with long-term power fluctuation <1%. The two are distributed and transmitted through the beam splitter-pump combiner 14, reducing additional components and fusion splices, and lowering overall loss.
[0049] The integrated fiber laser 1 also includes a control circuit for regulating the operating status of each component. For example, the control circuit can optimize the overall performance of the laser by adjusting the output power of the pump laser 15; it can also adjust parameters in real time by monitoring the signal light intensity at the MON port to ensure the stability and quality of the output signal.
[0050] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: By employing a 2x2 inline bipolar isolator 12 to synchronously achieve isolation between the pre-stage and post-stage, the failure of the seed light source 11 and the difficulty in amplifying the signal light are avoided; in addition, one isolator and two fusion splices are reduced, resulting in a loss reduction of 0.2dB. Replacing the traditional beam combiner and beam splitter coupler with a beam splitter pump combiner 14 also reduces one device and at least two fusion splices, lowering the loss by more than 0.3dB, and reducing the overall volume by more than 40%. In summary, this embodiment achieves the goals of reduced overall loss, reduced volume, and lower cost by optimizing device combination and reducing fusion splices, providing a new solution for the application of fiber lasers in space-constrained scenarios.
[0051] Example 2
[0052] The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the multi-clad optical fiber 13 is a passive optical fiber. Specifically, the multi-clad optical fiber 13 can be a passive double-clad optical fiber, a passive high-temperature resistant polyester-coated double-clad optical fiber, a passive high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated double-clad optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber, or an all-glass double-clad passive optical fiber. For example, a passive double-clad optical fiber can be used, which has lower cost and higher stability, and is suitable for simple optical signal transmission scenarios; a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber or a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber can also be used, which has excellent high-temperature resistance and is suitable for applications in high-temperature environments. In this embodiment, the multi-clad optical fiber 13 inputs the signal light into the beam splitter pump combiner 14, and then the beam splitter pump combiner 14 can couple the pump light into the internal optical fiber to realize the amplification and splitting of the signal light.
[0053] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: by using passive multi-clad optical fiber 13, high stability and reliability are ensured during signal light transmission, which facilitates the coupling and splitting functions of the beam splitter pump combiner 14.
[0054] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. An integrated fiber laser, characterized in that, include: The seed light source (11) can provide signal light; The 2x2 online bipolar isolator (12) includes a first input port, a first output port, a second input port and a second output port, the first input port and the first output port correspond to each other, the second input port and the second output port correspond to each other, and the seed light source (11) is connected to the first input port; A multi-clad optical fiber (13) is connected at one end to the first output port; The beam splitter pump combiner (14) has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the other end of the multi-clad optical fiber (13), and the second end is connected to the second input port. A pump laser (15) is connected to the second end and is capable of providing pump light; The MON port is connected to the second end and is capable of monitoring the power of the signal light; The OUT port is connected to the second output port. The beam splitter pump combiner (14) is capable of coupling pump light and splitting signal light and transmitting it to the MON port and the OUT port.
2. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 2x2 online bipolar isolator (12) further includes a bidirectional isolation unit, which is located between the first input port and the first output port and between the second input port and the second output port.
3. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bidirectional isolation unit includes a dual fiber collimator (121) and a bipolar isolation core (122). There are two dual fiber collimators (121) and they are respectively close to the input port and the output port. The bipolar isolation core (122) is located between the two dual fiber collimators (121).
4. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-clad optical fiber (13) is an active optical fiber or a passive optical fiber; the multi-clad optical fiber (13) is a double-clad optical fiber or a triple-clad optical fiber.
5. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 4, characterized in that, The multi-clad optical fiber (13) is an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped double-clad optical fiber, an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped high-temperature resistant polyester-coated double-clad optical fiber, an active erbium-ytterbium co-doped high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated double-clad optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad active optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad active optical fiber, or an all-glass double-clad active optical fiber.
6. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 4, characterized in that, The multi-clad optical fiber (13) is a passive double-clad optical fiber, a passive high-temperature resistant polyester-coated double-clad optical fiber, a passive high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated double-clad optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyester-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber, a high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated triple-clad passive optical fiber, or an all-glass double-clad passive optical fiber.
7. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump laser (15) can be single-core pumped, dual-core pumped or multi-core pumped.
8. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pump laser (15) uses a high-temperature resistant polyester coating or a high-temperature resistant polyimide coating multimode fiber to transmit pump light.
9. An integrated fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seed light source (11) uses G.652D single-mode fiber, high-temperature resistant polyester-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber, high-temperature resistant polyimide-coated bend-resistant single-mode fiber, or G.654E single-mode fiber to transmit signal light.
10. An integrated fiber laser according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The integrated fiber laser (1) also includes a control circuit.