Ultra-wideband ASE light source based on optical fiber splicing structure
By designing an optical fiber splicing structure and utilizing a combination of thulium-doped and holmium-doped optical fibers, the problems of low output power and energy transfer loss in existing ASE light sources have been solved, realizing a high-power, wide-spectrum ASE light source.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing 2μm band fiber optic ASE light sources have low output power and suffer from severe upconversion loss in thulium-holmium ion energy transfer.
The structure employs an optical fiber splicing design, comprising a combination of a pump module, thulium-doped fiber, and holmium-doped fiber. The numerical aperture and diameter of the core of the thulium-doped fiber are smaller than or equal to those of the holmium-doped fiber. Pump light is provided through the pump module, and the thulium-doped fiber generates amplified spontaneous emission light to excite the holmium-doped fiber, thereby achieving energy transfer and spectral expansion.
It effectively broadens the spectral bandwidth range, increases the output power of the ASE light source, solves the problem of energy transfer upconversion loss, and realizes a high-power ultra-wideband ASE light source.
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Figure CN224097190U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fiber laser technology, and in particular to an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on a fiber splicing structure. Background Technology
[0002] Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) sources are considered a novel type of fiber optic light source with broad spectrum, high stability, and excellent fluorescence properties. They possess advantages such as good directionality, high environmental stability, and broad fluorescence linewidth, leading to their increasingly widespread application in fiber optic sensors, fiber optic detectors, and fiber optic gyroscopes. For 2μm-band fiber optic ASE sources, their wavelength range falls within the absorption spectrum of water, the mid-infrared absorption spectra of gases such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, and the eye-safe region, demonstrating enormous potential in fields such as medical imaging, gas sensing, and spectral analysis. Therefore, the development of an all-fiber structure 2μm-band ultra-wideband ASE source is of great significance.
[0003] The gain medium of 2μm band fiber optic ASE light sources is mainly thulium and holmium ions. The radiation bandwidth of thulium ions can cover 1700~2100nm, while holmium ions can generate radiation in the range of 2050~2200nm. For thulium-holmium co-doped fibers, the fiber core is simultaneously doped with thulium and holmium ions, which can generate ultra-wideband radiation, but its performance is limited by the upconversion of energy transfer between thulium and holmium ions, resulting in low output power.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure, which improves the technical problem of low output power of 2μm band ASE light generated by existing ASE light sources.
[0006] To solve the above technical problems, this utility model provides an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure, including a pump module, a thulium-doped fiber and a holmium-doped fiber connected sequentially along the transmission direction from the signal input end to the signal output end. The pump module is used to provide pump light, and the thulium-doped fiber is used to generate amplified spontaneous emission light after absorbing the pump light.
[0007] Among them, the core numerical aperture of thulium-doped fiber is less than or equal to that of holmium-doped fiber, and the core diameter of thulium-doped fiber is less than or equal to that of holmium-doped fiber.
[0008] Preferably, the pump module includes a first pump source, a second pump source, and a first pump signal combiner. The first pump source is connected to the first pump arm of the first pump signal combiner, and the second pump source is connected to the second pump arm of the first pump signal combiner.
[0009] Preferably, both the first pump source and the second pump source are 793nm semiconductor lasers.
[0010] Preferably, the pump module includes a third pump source, a fourth pump source, a second pump signal combiner, and an erbium-doped fiber;
[0011] The third pump source is connected to the first pump arm of the second pump signal combiner, and the fourth pump source is connected to the second pump arm of the second pump signal combiner; the first end of the erbium-doped fiber is fused to the signal arm of the second pump signal combiner, and the second end of the erbium-doped fiber is fused to the first end of the thulium-doped fiber.
[0012] Preferably, both the third and fourth pump sources are 980nm semiconductor lasers.
[0013] Preferably, the numerical aperture of the erbium-doped fiber core is less than or equal to the numerical aperture of the thulium-doped fiber core, and the core diameter of the erbium-doped fiber is less than or equal to the core diameter of the thulium-doped fiber core.
[0014] Preferably, the lengths of the erbium-doped fiber, thulium-doped fiber, and holmium-doped fiber are all 1 to 20 m.
[0015] Preferably, the erbium ion concentration in the erbium-doped optical fiber is 1×10⁻⁶. 25 ~1×10 26 m -3 The thulium ion concentration in the thulium-doped fiber is 1×10⁻⁶. 25 ~1×10 26 m -3 The holmium ion concentration in the holmium-doped fiber is 1×10⁻⁶. 25 ~1×10 26 m -3 .
[0016] Preferably, the erbium-doped fiber, thulium-doped fiber, and holmium-doped fiber are all single-clad or double-clad fibers.
[0017] Preferably, the wavelength range of the amplified spontaneous emission light emitted by the ultra-wideband ASE light source is 1700~2200nm, and the spectral bandwidth range is ≥200nm.
[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Unlike existing technologies, this invention provides an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure. A pump module couples pump light into a thulium-doped fiber. The amplified spontaneous emission light generated after the thulium-doped fiber absorbs the pump light effectively excites holmium ions in the holmium-doped fiber, thereby effectively broadening the spectral bandwidth of the amplified spontaneous emission light. Simultaneously, by physically splicing thulium-doped and holmium-doped fibers, the ultra-wideband ASE light source fundamentally solves the problem of energy transfer upconversion loss between thulium and holmium ions, ultimately effectively improving the output power of the ultra-wideband ASE light source. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure provided in this embodiment of the utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure provided in another embodiment of this utility model;
[0021] In the figure: 10 - Pump module; 11 - First pump source; 12 - Second pump source; 13 - First pump signal combiner; 14 - Third pump source; 15 - Fourth pump source; 16 - Second pump signal combiner; 17 - Erbium-doped fiber; 20 - Thulium-doped fiber; 30 - Holmium-doped fiber. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0023] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure, which can output high-power, high-quality 2μm band ultra-wideband ASE light, while fundamentally solving the problem of energy transfer upconversion loss between thulium and holmium ions.
[0024] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure provided by the present invention includes a pump module 10, a thulium-doped fiber 20, and a holmium-doped fiber 30 connected sequentially along the transmission direction from the signal input end to the signal output end. The pump module 10 is used to provide pump light, and the thulium-doped fiber 20 is used to generate amplified spontaneous emission light after absorbing the pump light.
[0025] The thulium-doped fiber 20 has a core numerical aperture that is less than or equal to that of the holmium-doped fiber 30, and the core diameter of the thulium-doped fiber 20 is less than or equal to that of the holmium-doped fiber 30.
[0026] In this embodiment, the energy generated by the thulium-doped fiber 20 after absorbing pump light can be more effectively transferred to the holmium-doped fiber 30 with a larger core numerical aperture or core diameter. This is beneficial for the ASE light generated by the thulium-doped fiber 20 to excite the rare earth ions in the thulium-doped fiber 20, and promotes further amplification of energy and expansion of the spectrum.
[0027] In this embodiment, the pump module 10 provides pump light, which is the energy source for exciting the subsequent optical amplification process.
[0028] In one embodiment of this example, the pump module 10 includes a first pump source 11, a second pump source 12, and a first pump signal combiner 13. The first pump source 11 is connected to the first pump arm of the first pump signal combiner 13, the second pump source 12 is connected to the second pump arm of the first pump signal combiner 13, and the signal arm of the first pump signal combiner 13 is fused to the first end of the thulium-doped fiber 20.
[0029] Specifically, the main function of the first pump signal combiner 13 is to combine the pump light from the first pump source 11 and the second pump source 12 together and transmit it to the subsequent thulium-doped fiber 20. By converging the optical energy from multiple pump sources, the pump power input to the thulium-doped fiber 20 is increased, thereby more effectively exciting the thulium-doped fiber 20 to generate amplified spontaneous emission light, ensuring that the pump light can be transmitted to the required location with high efficiency and reducing energy loss during transmission. At the same time, integrating the optical paths of multiple pump sources into a single combiner reduces the complexity of the optical path and the number of optical components, saves space, and improves the stability of the system.
[0030] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure, provided in another embodiment of the present invention. The pump module 10 includes a third pump source 14, a fourth pump source 15, a second pump signal combiner 16, and an erbium-doped fiber 17. The third pump source 14 is connected to the first pump arm of the second pump signal combiner 16, and the fourth pump source 15 is connected to the second pump arm of the second pump signal combiner 16. The first end of the erbium-doped fiber 17 is fused to the signal arm of the second pump signal combiner 16, and the second end of the erbium-doped fiber 17 is fused to the first end of the thulium-doped fiber 20.
[0031] Specifically, in this structure, the pump lights from the third pump source 14 and the fourth pump source 15 are combined by the second pump signal combiner 16. Then, the combined pump light enters the erbium-doped fiber 17, and is then fused with the thulium-doped fiber 20 through the erbium-doped fiber 17, transferring the pump energy to the thulium-doped fiber 20 to provide the required energy input for the subsequent optical amplification process.
[0032] Specifically, the numerical aperture of the core of erbium-doped fiber 17 is less than or equal to the numerical aperture of the core of thulium-doped fiber 20, and the core diameter of erbium-doped fiber 17 is less than or equal to the core diameter of thulium-doped fiber 20.
[0033] Specifically, the lengths of erbium-doped fiber 17, thulium-doped fiber 20, and holmium-doped fiber 30 are all 1–20 m; the erbium ion concentration of erbium-doped fiber 17 is 1 × 10⁻⁶. 25 ~1×10 26 m -3 The thulium ion concentration of thulium-doped fiber 20 is 1×10⁻⁶. 25 ~1×10 26 m -3 The holmium ion concentration in holmium-doped fiber 30 is 1×10⁻⁶. 25 ~1×10 26 m -3 Among these factors, a suitable length helps to achieve effective optical amplification and energy transfer. Specific rare-earth ion concentration ranges help to control the gain and spectral characteristics of the optical fiber, thereby achieving the performance required for ultra-wideband ASE light sources, such as amplified spontaneous emission within a specific wavelength range and a sufficiently wide spectral bandwidth.
[0034] Specifically, erbium-doped fiber 17, thulium-doped fiber 20, and holmium-doped fiber 30 are all single-clad or double-clad fibers. In single-clad fibers, both pump light and signal light are transmitted within the core, supporting only low-power pump light transmission. In double-clad fibers, pump light and signal light are transmitted in the cladding and core, respectively, allowing higher-power pump light to couple into the cladding, thereby improving pump efficiency and amplification. The choice between single-clad and double-clad fibers depends on various factors, such as the power requirements of the light source, the pumping method, and cost considerations.
[0035] In this embodiment, the output end of the holmium-doped fiber 30 on the side away from the thulium-doped fiber 20 is cut at an 8-degree angle to suppress laser oscillation and achieve ASE output.
[0036] Specifically, the wavelength range of the amplified spontaneous emission light emitted by the ultra-wideband ASE light source is 1700~2200nm, and the spectral bandwidth range is ≥200nm.
[0037] The technical solution of this utility model will now be described in conjunction with specific embodiments.
[0038] Example 1:
[0039] Please see Figure 1 The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber splicing structure provided in this embodiment 1 includes a pump module 10, a thulium-doped fiber 20 and a holmium-doped fiber 30 connected in sequence along the transmission direction from the signal input end to the signal output end. The pump module 10 is used to provide pump light, and the thulium-doped fiber 20 is used to generate amplified spontaneous emission light after absorbing the pump light.
[0040] The thulium-doped fiber 20 has a core numerical aperture that is less than or equal to that of the holmium-doped fiber 30, and the core diameter of the thulium-doped fiber 20 is less than or equal to that of the holmium-doped fiber 30.
[0041] In this embodiment 1, the pump module 10 includes a first pump source 11, a second pump source 12, and a first pump signal combiner 13. The first pump source 11 is connected to the first pump arm of the first pump signal combiner 13, the second pump source 12 is connected to the second pump arm of the first pump signal combiner 13, and the signal arm of the first pump signal combiner 13 is fused to the first end of the thulium-doped fiber 20.
[0042] Specifically, in the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber splicing structure in this embodiment 1, the various optical elements are connected by fiber optic fusion splicing, and the above-mentioned optical elements adopt the following configuration:
[0043] First pump source 11 and second pump source 12: both are 793nm semiconductor lasers;
[0044] First pump signal combiner 13: a high-efficiency fiber optic combiner;
[0045] Thulium-doped fiber 20: This is a single-clad fiber with a core diameter of 6 μm, a cladding diameter of 125 μm, a core numerical aperture (NA) of 0.2, a length of 2 m, and a thulium ion concentration of 2 × 10⁻⁶. 25 m -3 ;
[0046] Holmium-doped fiber 30: This is a single-clad fiber with a core diameter of 8 μm, a cladding diameter of 125 μm, a core numerical aperture (NA) of 0.22, a length of 3 m, and a holmium ion concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁶. 25 m -3 The output end of the holmium-doped fiber 30 on the side away from the thulium-doped fiber 20 is cut at an 8-degree angle for output.
[0047] Specifically, the working process of the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on the fiber optic splicing structure provided in Example 1 is as follows:
[0048] The 793nm pump light emitted by two 793nm semiconductor lasers is coupled by the first pump signal combiner 13 and absorbed by the thulium-doped fiber 20, which generates ASE light in the 1700~2100nm wavelength range. Subsequently, a portion of the 1700~2100nm ASE light pumps the subsequent holmium-doped fiber 30 (since the numerical aperture of the core of the thulium-doped fiber 20 is less than or equal to the numerical aperture of the core of the holmium-doped fiber 30, and the core diameter of the thulium-doped fiber 20 is less than or equal to the core diameter of the holmium-doped fiber 30, it is beneficial for the 1700~2100nm ASE light generated by the thulium-doped fiber 20 to excite holmium ions in the holmium-doped fiber 30), which can broaden the spectrum to 2200nm, thus facilitating the realization of an ultra-wideband ASE light source in the 1700~2200nm range.
[0049] Example 2:
[0050] Please see Figure 2 The structure of the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on the fiber splicing structure provided in this embodiment 2 is roughly the same as that of the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on the fiber splicing structure provided in this embodiment 1. The only difference is that the pump module 10 includes a third pump source 14, a fourth pump source 15, a second pump signal combiner 16, and an erbium-doped fiber 17; the third pump source 14 is connected to the first pump arm of the second pump signal combiner 16, and the fourth pump source 15 is connected to the second pump arm of the second pump signal combiner 16; the first end of the erbium-doped fiber 17 is fused to the signal arm of the second pump signal combiner 16, and the second end of the erbium-doped fiber 17 is fused to the first end of the thulium-doped fiber 20.
[0051] Specifically, in the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber splicing structure in this embodiment 2, the various optical elements are connected by fiber optic fusion splicing, and the above-mentioned optical elements adopt the following configuration:
[0052] The third pump source 14 and the fourth pump source 15 are both 980nm semiconductor lasers;
[0053] Second pump signal combiner 16: a high-efficiency fiber optic combiner;
[0054] Erbium-doped fiber 17: Single-clad fiber with a core diameter of 5 μm, a cladding diameter of 125 μm, a core numerical aperture (NA) of 0.19, a length of 2 m, and an erbium ion concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁶. 25 m -3 ;
[0055] Thulium-doped fiber 20: Single-layer cladding fiber with a core diameter of 6 μm, a cladding diameter of 125 μm, a core numerical aperture (NA) of 0.2, a length of 2 m, and a thulium ion concentration of 2 × 10⁻⁶. 25 m -3 ;
[0056] Holmium-doped fiber 30: Single-layer cladding fiber with a core diameter of 8 μm, a cladding diameter of 125 μm, a core numerical aperture (NA) of 0.22, a length of 3 m, and a holmium ion concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁶. 25 m -3 The output end of the holmium-doped fiber 30 on the side away from the thulium-doped fiber 20 is cut at an 8-degree angle for output.
[0057] Specifically, the working process of the ultra-wideband ASE light source based on the fiber optic splicing structure provided in Example 2 is as follows:
[0058] The 980nm pump light emitted by the two 980nm semiconductor lasers is coupled by the second pump signal combiner 16 and then absorbed by the erbium-doped fiber 17, which generates 1550nm ASE light. Subsequently, the 1550nm ASE light is absorbed by the thulium-doped fiber 20, which generates ASE light in the wavelength range of 1700~2100nm. Finally, a portion of the 1700~2100nm ASE light pumps the subsequent holmium-doped fiber 30, which can broaden the spectrum to 2200nm, thus facilitating the realization of an ultra-wideband ASE light source in the 1700~2200nm range.
[0059] Unlike existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages:
[0060] 1. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber splicing structure provided by the present invention has a wide spectral bandwidth range of ≥200nm. At the same time, by physically splicing thulium-doped fiber 20 and holmium-doped fiber 30, the upconversion loss of energy transfer between thulium ions and holmium ions is solved.
[0061] 2. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber splicing structure provided by this invention has a simple structure, is easy to implement, and has low cost.
[0062] In summary, unlike existing technologies, this invention provides an ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure. The pump module 10 couples pump light into a thulium-doped fiber 20. The amplified spontaneous emission light generated after the thulium-doped fiber 20 absorbs the pump light effectively excites holmium ions in the holmium-doped fiber 30, thereby effectively broadening the spectral bandwidth of the amplified spontaneous emission light. Simultaneously, by physically splicing the thulium-doped fiber 20 and the holmium-doped fiber 30, the ultra-wideband ASE light source fundamentally solves the upconversion loss in energy transfer between thulium and holmium ions, ultimately effectively improving the output power of the ultra-wideband ASE light source.
[0063] It should be noted that all the above embodiments belong to the same utility model concept, and the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. Where the description in a particular embodiment is not detailed, please refer to the description in other embodiments.
[0064] The above embodiments merely illustrate the implementation of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An ultra-wideband ASE light source based on an optical fiber splicing structure, characterized in that, The device includes a pump module, a thulium-doped fiber, and a holmium-doped fiber connected sequentially along the transmission direction from the signal input end to the signal output end. The pump module is used to provide pump light, and the thulium-doped fiber is used to generate amplified spontaneous emission light after absorbing the pump light. The thulium-doped fiber has a core numerical aperture that is less than or equal to that of the holmium-doped fiber, and the thulium-doped fiber has a core diameter that is less than or equal to that of the holmium-doped fiber.
2. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump module includes a first pump source, a second pump source, and a first pump signal combiner. The first pump source is connected to the first pump arm of the first pump signal combiner, and the second pump source is connected to the second pump arm of the first pump signal combiner.
3. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first pump source and the second pump source are 793nm semiconductor lasers.
4. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump module includes a third pump source, a fourth pump source, a second pump signal combiner, and an erbium-doped fiber. The third pump source is connected to the first pump arm of the second pump signal combiner, and the fourth pump source is connected to the second pump arm of the second pump signal combiner; the first end of the erbium-doped fiber is fused to the signal arm of the second pump signal combiner, and the second end of the erbium-doped fiber is fused to the first end of the thulium-doped fiber.
5. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the third and fourth pump sources are 980nm semiconductor lasers.
6. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The erbium-doped fiber has a core numerical aperture that is less than or equal to the core numerical aperture of the thulium-doped fiber, and the erbium-doped fiber has a core diameter that is less than or equal to the core diameter of the thulium-doped fiber.
7. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lengths of the erbium-doped fiber, the thulium-doped fiber, and the holmium-doped fiber are all 1 to 20 m.
8. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The erbium-doped fiber, the thulium-doped fiber, and the holmium-doped fiber are all single-clad or double-clad fibers.
9. The ultra-wideband ASE light source based on fiber optic splicing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The amplified spontaneous emission light emitted by the ultra-wideband ASE light source has a wavelength range of 1700~2200nm and a spectral bandwidth range of ≥200nm.