A fiber laser performance and stability test system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of optical fiber laser performance and stability test system, comprising: signal module, cladding light stripper, optical fiber to be measured, signal pump combiner, pumping module, detection module and host computer;Signal light sent by signal module enters optical fiber to be measured after passing through cladding light stripper, pump light sent by pumping module enters optical fiber to be measured after passing through signal pump combiner, and after synthesis and amplification with signal light, input detection module through signal pump combiner;Host computer automatically controls signal module and pumping module in process, and records the data of detection module, and automatically closes signal module and pumping module when necessary.It can solve the problem that existing optical fiber laser test needs a lot of repeated operation, and long-time test needs manual duty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fiber laser technology, and in particular to a fiber laser performance and stability testing system. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber lasers, with their advantages of high power, miniaturization, and high beam quality, have been widely used in optical communication, industrial processing, and medical fields. Active optical fiber is the core component of fiber lasers.

[0003] During the development of active optical fibers, it is necessary to test and evaluate the laser performance and stability of the fibers to determine the direction for future improvements. In actual testing, due to uncertainties inherent in the R&D process, the fibers are prone to overheating and melting during high-power testing. Therefore, manual monitoring is always required during testing to ensure rapid response in case of unexpected events. Furthermore, the repeated recording of data during testing consumes significant manpower.

[0004] Therefore, in order to simplify the operation process and save human resources, a fiber laser performance and stability testing system was designed, which can automatically record and save the required data. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the issues of repetitive and time-consuming operations in fiber optic testing and the need for human supervision during stability testing to ensure safety, this invention provides a system that can automatically test relevant performance parameters and automatically cut off the light source output in case of an accident, simplifying the testing process and reducing the waste of personnel resources.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0007] An unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system includes:

[0008] Signal module (1) is used to generate tunable signal light;

[0009] Cladding light stripper (2) is used to strip residual pump light from the cladding;

[0010] Signal pump combiner (4) is used to combine the signal light and the pump light;

[0011] Pump module (5) is used to generate adjustable pump light;

[0012] The detection module (6) is used to monitor the power and spectral characteristics of the output laser in real time;

[0013] The host computer (7) is used to record data and control various modules;

[0014] The signal module (1) is connected to the input end of the cladding optical stripper (2) via an optical fiber. The output end of the cladding optical stripper (2) is connected to the first end of the optical fiber under test (3). The second end of the optical fiber under test (3) is connected to the combining end of the signal pump combiner (4).

[0015] The pump module (5) is connected to the pump input end of the signal pump combiner (4) via optical fiber, and the signal end of the signal pump combiner (4) is connected to the input end of the detection module (6) via optical fiber.

[0016] The host computer (7) is connected to the control terminal of the signal module (1), the control terminal of the pump module (5), and the data output terminal of the detection module (6) through control lines respectively; wherein, the host computer (7) is configured to: automatically control the output power of the signal module (1) and the pump module (5); collect and store the test data of the detection module (6) in real time; and automatically shut down the signal module (1) and the pump module (5) when an abnormal power is detected.

[0017] Furthermore, the signal module includes:

[0018] Signal laser source, used to generate signal light;

[0019] The first DC power supply is used to provide power to the signal laser source and is subject to control by the host computer;

[0020] An optical isolator is connected to the output of the signal laser source (11) to prevent backlighting.

[0021] Furthermore, the pump module includes:

[0022] At least one pump laser source is used to generate pump light.

[0023] The second DC power supply is used to provide power to the pump laser source and is controlled by the host computer.

[0024] Furthermore, the detection module includes:

[0025] A beam splitter is used to split the input laser into two parts: a high-power output and a low-power output, to match the needs of different detectors.

[0026] An optical power meter is connected to the high-power output terminal of the beam splitter to record the laser power in real time and transmit it to the host computer.

[0027] A spectrometer is connected to the low-power output terminal of the spectrometer, records the output laser spectrum, and transmits it to the host computer.

[0028] Furthermore, the cladding optical stripper (2) and the signal pump bundler (4) are designed to be interchangeable and can be adapted to various optical fiber specifications such as 8 / 125, 10 / 125, and 12 / 125.

[0029] Furthermore, the output power of the signal module (1) is adjustable from 0 to 200mW, and the output power of the pump module (5) is adjustable from 0 to 40W.

[0030] Furthermore, the host computer (7) records power data once per second and spectral data once every 15 minutes.

[0031] Furthermore, the optical fiber to be tested (3) is a double-clad optical fiber.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the technical effects of this utility model are as follows;

[0033] The system achieves fully automated testing by centrally controlling the output power of the signal module and pump module via a host computer and collecting data from the detection module in real time, reducing manual intervention. It also solves safety issues during high-power testing and the need for manual monitoring during stability testing.

[0034] The system has an automatic shutdown function. When an abnormal power is detected (such as a sudden drop in power caused by fiber optic cable failure), the laser source will be automatically shut down to ensure safety.

[0035] Costs can be saved by replacing a few components to accommodate various fiber sizes.

[0036] Meanwhile, depending on the content to be tested, the number of spectrometers and detectors can be increased or decreased in the detection module to achieve diverse testing tasks. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a graph plotted from a power data file of an unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system provided in this application embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a graph plotted from a spectral data file of an unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system provided in this application embodiment;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a curve plotted from a stability data file of an unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system provided in this application embodiment;

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0042] 1: Signal module; 11: Signal laser source; 12: First DC power supply; 13: Optical isolator;

[0043] 2: Cladding optical stripper; 3: Fiber under test; 4: Signal pump combiner;

[0044] 5: Pump module; 511: First pump laser source; 512: Second pump laser source; 52: Second DC power supply;

[0045] 6: Detection module; 61: Spectrometer; 62: Optical power meter; 63: Spectrometer;

[0046] 7: Host computer; Detailed Implementation

[0047] The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Fiber optic descriptors such as "8 / 125" and "10 / 125" represent the fiber's "core size (μm) / cladding size (μm)."

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the first embodiment of this utility model proposes an unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system, including: a signal module 1, a cladding optical stripper 2, an optical fiber under test 3, a signal pump combiner 4, a pump module 5, a detection module 6, and a host computer 7.

[0049] Specifically, the signal laser output end of signal module 1 is connected to the input end of cladding optical stripper 2, the output end of cladding optical stripper 2 is connected to one end of the fiber under test 3, the combining end of signal pump combiner 4 is connected to the other end of the fiber under test 3, the pump input end of signal pump combiner 4 is connected to the pump laser output end of pump module 5, the signal end of signal pump combiner 4 is connected to the laser input end of detection module 6, and the signal port of host computer 7 is connected to the control signal input end of signal module 1, the control signal input end of pump module 5, and the signal end of detection module 6.

[0050] Specifically, signal module 1 includes: a signal laser source 11 and a first DC power supply 12; the output terminal of the signal laser source 11 is the signal laser output terminal of signal module 1; the positive and negative power output lines of the first DC power supply 12 are connected to the positive and negative power input lines of the signal laser source 11; the control signal line of the first DC power supply 12 is the control signal input terminal of signal module 1; pump module 5 includes: a first pump laser source 511 and a second DC power supply 52; the pump output terminal of the first pump laser source 511 is the pump laser output terminal of pump module 5; the positive and negative power output lines of the second DC power supply 52 are connected to the positive and negative power input lines of the first pump laser source 511, and the control signal line of the second DC power supply 52 is the control signal input terminal of pump module 5; detection module 6 includes: an optical power meter 62; the laser input terminal of the optical power meter 62 is the laser input terminal of detection module 6; the signal output terminal of the optical power meter 62 is the signal terminal of detection module 6;

[0051] Preferably, the signal laser source 11 has an output laser wavelength of 1550nm, an adjustable power of 0-200mW, and an output end made of 8 / 125 fiber; the cladding optical stripper 2 has an input end made of 8 / 125 fiber and an output end made of 12 / 125 double-clad fiber; the signal pump combiner 4 has one 105 / 125 fiber pump input end as the first pump input end, a combiner end made of 12 / 125 double-clad fiber, and a signal end made of 10 / 125 fiber; the first pump laser source 511 has an output laser wavelength of 940nm, an adjustable power of 0-20W, and a pump output end made of 105 / 125 fiber; the optical power meter 62 has a detection range of 0-20W; the host computer 7 can control the output current of the first DC power supply 12 to control the output laser power of the signal module 1, and can control the output current of the second DC power supply 52 to control the output laser power of the pump module 5, and can receive and record the real-time power data of the optical power meter 62;

[0052] Furthermore, the signal module 1 also includes: an optical isolator 13; the laser input terminal of the optical isolator 13 is connected to the output terminal of the signal laser source 11, and the laser output terminal of the optical isolator 13 is the signal laser output terminal of the signal module 1;

[0053] Preferably, the optical isolator 13 operates at a wavelength of 1550nm, has a maximum power handling capacity of 300mW, and uses 8 / 125 fiber for both the laser input and output ends to prevent backlight from entering the signal laser source 11 and causing damage to the device.

[0054] Furthermore, the pump module 5 also includes: a second pump laser source 512; the pump output terminals of the first pump laser source 511 and the second pump laser source 512 are the pump laser output terminals of the pump module 5, and the positive and negative power output lines of the first pump laser source 511 and the second pump laser source 512 are connected to the positive and negative power input lines of the first pump laser source 511.

[0055] Preferably, the signal pump combiner 4 has two 105 / 125 fiber pump inputs as the first pump input and the second pump input, the combining end is a 12 / 125 double-clad fiber, and the signal end is a 10 / 125 fiber; the second pump laser source 512 has a laser output wavelength of 940nm, an adjustable power of 0-20W, and a 105 / 125 fiber pump output; the newly added pump laser source can test higher laser power performance;

[0056] Furthermore, the detection module 6 also includes: a beam splitter 61 and a spectrometer 63; the laser input terminal of the beam splitter 61 is connected to the laser input terminal of the detection module 6, the high-power output terminal is connected to the laser input terminal of the optical power meter 62, and the low-power output terminal is connected to the laser input terminal of the spectrometer 63; the signal output terminals of the optical power meter 62 and the spectrometer 63 are the signal terminals of the detection module 6.

[0057] Preferably, the spectrometer 61 has a splitting ratio of 40dB, a maximum power handling capacity of 20W, and an operating wavelength of 1550±20nm; the spectrometer 63 has a detectable wavelength of 600-1750nm, a set scanning wavelength of 1500-1600nm, and a resolution of 0.2nm; the host computer 7 can simultaneously receive and record the spectral data of the spectrometer 63.

[0058] Preferably, the host computer 7 can automatically control the opening and adjustment of the output current of the first DC power supply 12 and the output current of the second DC power supply 52, automatically record the output power and spectral data of the system under different pump laser powers, and fit the slope efficiency.

[0059] Preferably, the host computer 7 automatically controls the start-up and adjustment of the output current of the first DC power supply 12 and the output current of the second DC power supply 52, maintains the state for 10 hours, records the power data of the optical power meter 62 every 1 second, and records the spectral data of the spectrometer 63 every 15 minutes.

[0060] Preferably, the host computer 7 monitors the power data of the optical power meter 62 in real time during the automated test. When the second DC power supply 52 is turned on, if the monitored power data is less than 1mW, the second DC power supply 52 and the first DC power supply 12 are turned off in sequence.

[0061] Select a 10 / 125 fiber optic cable, connect it to the test system as the fiber under test, and start the test. After the test is completed, the test results output by the system are shown in Table 1.

[0062] Table 1. Test Results of an Unattended Fiber Laser Performance and Stability Testing System

[0063]

[0064] Specifically, after plotting the power data file described in Table 1, as shown below... Figure 2 As shown, the output power of the fiber under test as measured by the detection module changes with the pump power, reflecting the laser performance of the fiber under test; the spectral data files described in Table 1 are plotted as follows. Figure 3 As shown, the output spectrum of the optical fiber under test, measured by the detection module, reflects the laser output characteristics of the optical fiber under test; the stability data file described in Table 1 is plotted as follows. Figure 4 As shown, the change in output power of the fiber under test as measured by the detection module over time is displayed, reflecting the stability of the laser output of the fiber under test.

[0065] In summary, the unattended fiber laser performance and stability testing system proposed in this embodiment can match different types of optical fibers by replacing the cladding stripper and signal pump combiner. It can also replace or add detection modules according to testing needs to achieve simultaneous monitoring and recording of various data. Furthermore, it can automatically cut off the laser output when the fiber breaks, thus facilitating the entire fiber laser performance testing process.

[0066] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily conceive of modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. That is, modifications made in accordance with this disclosure are still within the scope of this disclosure.

[0067] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments have been described. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A fiber laser performance and stability testing system, characterized in that, include: Signal module (1) is used to generate tunable signal light; Cladding light stripper (2) is used to strip residual pump light from the cladding; Signal pump combiner (4) is used to combine signal light and pump light; Pump module (5) is used to generate adjustable pump light; The detection module (6) is used to monitor the power and spectral characteristics of the output laser in real time; The host computer (7) is used to record data and control various modules; The signal module (1) is connected to the input end of the cladding optical stripper (2) via an optical fiber. The output end of the cladding optical stripper (2) is connected to the first end of the optical fiber under test (3). The second end of the optical fiber under test (3) is connected to the combining end of the signal pump combiner (4). The pump module (5) is connected to the pump input end of the signal pump combiner (4) via optical fiber, and the signal end of the signal pump combiner (4) is connected to the input end of the detection module (6) via optical fiber; the host computer (7) is connected to the control end of the signal module (1), the control end of the pump module (5) and the data output end of the detection module (6) via control lines respectively; wherein, the host computer (7) is configured to: automatically control the output power of the signal module (1) and the pump module (5); collect and store the test data of the detection module (6) in real time; and automatically shut down the signal module (1) and the pump module (5) when an abnormal power is detected.

2. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal module includes: Signal laser source, used to generate signal light; The first DC power supply is used to provide power to the signal laser source and is subject to control by the host computer. An optical isolator is connected to the output of the signal laser source (11) to prevent backlighting.

3. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump module includes: At least one pump laser source is used to generate pump light. The second DC power supply is used to provide power to the pump laser source and is controlled by the host computer.

4. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection module includes: A beam splitter is used to split the input laser into two parts: a high-power output and a low-power output, to match the needs of different detectors. An optical power meter is connected to the high-power output terminal of the beam splitter to record the laser power in real time and transmit it to the host computer. A spectrometer is connected to the low-power output terminal of the spectrometer, records the output laser spectrum, and transmits it to the host computer.

5. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cladding optical stripper (2) and the signal pump bundler (4) are designed to be interchangeable and are compatible with various optical fibers of 8 / 125, 10 / 125 and 12 / 125 specifications.

6. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output power of the signal module (1) is adjustable from 0 to 200mW, and the output power of the pump module (5) is adjustable from 0 to 40W.

7. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The host computer (7) records power data once per second and spectral data once every 15 minutes.

8. The fiber laser performance and stability testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber under test (3) is a double-clad optical fiber.

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