Optical fiber pump combiner and cladding light stripper integrated packaging structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to a fiber -optic pumped integration and packaging structure of bundle and cladding light stripping, belong to the technical field of fiber laser, including first packaging section, link section and second packaging section, first packaging section includes the fiber packaging element for packaging fiber combiner, second packaging section includes the cladding light filter packaging element for packaging cladding light stripper, and link section is located between first packaging section and second packaging section, the utility model can solve the technical problem of the present technology that fiber combiner and cladding light stripper adopt split type structure, introduce additional fusion splice loss, the middle connecting fiber is longer, and the overall structure volume is big.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fiber laser technology, specifically relating to an integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous growth in demand for high-power, high-beam-quality laser sources in advanced manufacturing, defense technology, and scientific research, high-power fiber laser technology has developed rapidly. In high-power fiber laser systems, fiber combiners and cladding strippers, as key passive components, have a decisive impact on system performance. The fiber combiner efficiently couples the optical energy from multiple high-power pump sources into the inner cladding of the gain fiber, providing sufficient energy for the signal light. The cladding stripper filters out residual pump light and unwanted signal light that enters the fiber cladding due to fiber bending, splicing defects, or inhomogeneous doping, preventing their accumulation in the system and causing thermal damage or affecting the stability of the output beam, thereby ensuring the purity and operational safety of the laser output light.

[0003] Currently, in mainstream high-power fiber laser architectures, fiber combiners and cladding strippers are typically packaged separately and optically connected via external fiber jumpers. This separate integration scheme has the following significant technical drawbacks: First, the separate design introduces additional fiber fusion splices, inevitably leading to mode field mismatch, end-face contamination, and axial misalignment, resulting in increased splice loss. Second, this integration method makes it difficult to effectively shorten the length of the power transmission fiber. In high-power, narrow-linewidth fiber lasers, longer intermediate connecting fibers significantly enhance nonlinear effects such as stimulated Brillouin scattering, limiting the improvement of the system's nonlinear threshold and thus becoming a key bottleneck restricting further increases in output power. Furthermore, the separate devices each have independent metal housings, heat dissipation structures, and fixed interfaces, resulting in a large and complex overall component size, which is detrimental to the compact layout of the laser's internal space and fails to meet the development requirements of modern laser systems for miniaturization, lightweighting, and high integration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, an integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping is proposed. This structure solves the technical problems of existing technologies where the fiber bundle combiner and cladding stripper are separate structures, introducing additional fusion splicing loss, having long intermediate connecting fibers, and resulting in a large overall structure volume.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: This utility model provides an integrated packaging structure for fiber optic pump bundling and cladding stripping, comprising: The first encapsulation section includes an optical fiber encapsulation element for encapsulating an optical fiber combiner, which is formed by bundling one signal fiber, N pump fibers and one pump output fiber, with the pump output fiber exiting from the first encapsulation section. The second encapsulation section includes a cladding optical filtering encapsulation element for encapsulating a cladding optical stripper, the signal optical fiber passing through the cladding optical filtering encapsulation element and exiting from the second encapsulation section, and the cladding optical stripper being located on the signal optical fiber; And a connector segment located between the first encapsulation segment and the second encapsulation segment, from which the pump fiber exits.

[0006] The technical solution is further configured such that the optical fiber packaging element includes an optical fiber packaging base and an optical fiber packaging cover plate, and a packaging groove for accommodating the optical fiber combiner is formed between the two.

[0007] The technical solution is further configured such that the second encapsulation segment also includes a cladding light filtering base, the cladding light filtering encapsulation element penetrates the cladding light filtering base, and a sealing ring is provided at the junction of the two.

[0008] The technical solution is further configured such that a cooling cavity is provided inside the cladding optical filter base and along the extension path of the cladding optical filter packaging element, and a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet communicating with the cooling cavity are also provided on the cladding optical filter base.

[0009] The technical solution is further configured such that the outer surface of the cladding optical filter base is provided with a plurality of fixing grooves, and the pump optical fiber is placed inside the fixing grooves.

[0010] The technical solution is further configured to include a base and a top cover, wherein the first encapsulation segment and the second encapsulation segment are both disposed between the base and the top cover.

[0011] The technical solution is further configured such that the base and the top cover are made of aluminum alloy or aluminum silicon carbide.

[0012] The technical solution is further configured such that the central axis of the optical fiber encapsulation element and the central axis of the cladding optical filtering encapsulation element are collinear. The beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. An integrated two-stage packaging design is adopted, which integrates the fiber combiner and the cladding stripper into the same structure, avoiding the redundant connection space required by the traditional split structure, greatly reducing the overall volume and facilitating a compact layout inside the laser. At the same time, it eliminates the fiber fusion splice between the fiber combiner and the cladding stripper in the traditional solution, which can effectively suppress high-order mode excitation and mode instability, and is conducive to achieving high beam quality output close to the diffraction limit, meeting the stringent requirements of high-power narrow-linewidth lasers for beam purity.

[0013] 2. The connector section is used to separate the signal fiber from the multiple pump fibers and achieve spatial transition, so that the pump fibers can be distributed in an orderly manner with a gentle curve, avoiding macro-bending loss and stress concentration caused by excessive bending; at the same time, it realizes physical isolation between the signal fiber and the pump fiber, reducing the risk of optical crosstalk and thermal interference. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a top view of the integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping in this embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping in this embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a left-side view of the integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping in this embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a right-side view of the integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping in this embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view of AA; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Partial schematic diagram at point B in the middle; Figure 7 for Figure 5 CC section view; Figure 8 This is an assembly view of the integrated packaging structure for fiber pumping and cladding light stripping, the fiber combiner, and the cladding light stripper in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] In the attached diagram: 100, top cover; 200, base; 300, fiber optic packaging element; 301, fiber optic packaging base; 302, fiber optic packaging cover plate; 303, packaging groove; 400, cladding optical filter packaging element; 500, connector section; 600, cladding optical filter base; 601, cooling medium inlet; 602, cooling medium outlet; 603, fixing groove; 700, sealing ring cover; 800, sealing ring; 900, cladding optical stripper; 110, fiber optic combiner; 120, signal fiber; 130, pump fiber; 140, pump output fiber. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Based on the embodiments in this application, other similar embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, the directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as "up," "down," "left," and "right," are only for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the creation of this utility model.

[0017] Example 1: According to an embodiment of this utility model, an integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping is provided. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1 to 8 ,include: The first encapsulation section includes an optical fiber encapsulation element 300 for encapsulating an optical fiber combiner 110, wherein the optical fiber combiner 110 is formed by bundling together one signal fiber 120, N pump fibers 130 (N being an integer) and one pump output fiber 140, and the pump output fiber 140 exits from the first encapsulation section. The second encapsulation section includes a cladding optical filtering encapsulation element 400 for encapsulating the cladding optical stripper 900. The signal optical fiber 120 passes through the cladding optical filtering encapsulation element 400 and exits from the second encapsulation section. The cladding optical stripper 900 is located on the signal optical fiber 120. And a connector 500, which is located between the first encapsulation section and the second encapsulation section, from which the pump fiber 130 exits.

[0018] Optionally, the first encapsulation segment, the connecting segment 500, and the second encapsulation segment are arranged in a straight line, and the central axis of the fiber optic encapsulation element 300 and the central axis of the cladding optical filtering encapsulation element 400 are configured to be collinear.

[0019] Understandably, the integrated two-stage packaging design, which integrates the fiber combiner 110 and the cladding stripper 900 into the same structure, avoids the redundant connection space required by the traditional split structure, significantly reduces the overall volume, and is conducive to a compact layout inside the laser. At the same time, it eliminates the fiber fusion splice between the fiber combiner 110 and the cladding stripper 900 in the traditional solution, which can effectively suppress high-order mode excitation and mode instability, and is conducive to achieving high beam quality output close to the diffraction limit, meeting the stringent requirements of high-power narrow-linewidth lasers for beam purity.

[0020] Optionally, the interior of the connector section 500 is set as a cavity. By setting the cavity as a transition area, the path separation and spatial transition of the signal fiber 120 and the multiple pump fibers 130 are realized, so that the pump fibers 130 can be distributed in an orderly manner with a gentle curve, avoiding macro-bending loss and stress concentration caused by excessive bending; at the same time, the physical isolation between the signal fiber 120 and the pump fiber 130 is realized, reducing the risk of optical crosstalk and thermal interference.

[0021] For the integrated packaging structure of fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping in this embodiment, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 8 The optical fiber packaging element 300 includes an optical fiber packaging base 301 and an optical fiber packaging cover 302, and a packaging groove 303 for accommodating the optical fiber combiner 110 is formed between the two.

[0022] Optionally, the encapsulation slot 303 is formed on the optical fiber encapsulation base 301, and the optical fiber encapsulation cover plate 302 is located above the optical fiber encapsulation base 301, mainly used to block dust and project scattered light.

[0023] Optionally, both the fiber optic encapsulation base 301 and the fiber optic encapsulation cover 302 are made of quartz. The fiber optic encapsulation cover 302 is connected to the fiber optic encapsulation base 301 by UV-curing adhesive, which combines sealing and optical transmittance, facilitating the projection and heat dissipation of scattered light.

[0024] For the integrated packaging structure of fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping in this embodiment, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 8 The second encapsulation section further includes a cladding light filtering base 600, the cladding light filtering encapsulation element 400 passing through the cladding light filtering base 600, and a sealing ring 800 is provided at the junction of the two.

[0025] Optionally, the sealing ring 800 is mounted on the cladding light filter base 600 via the sealing ring cover 700, and the sealing ring cover 700 is connected to the cladding light filter base 600 by screws.

[0026] Optionally, the sealing ring 800 is a nitrile sealing ring.

[0027] Understandably, the use of the sealing ring 800 and sealing ring gland 700 structure improves the thermodynamic performance of the structure in high and low temperature tests, vibration tests, thermal shock tests and vibration shock tests.

[0028] For the integrated packaging structure of fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping in this embodiment, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 8 A cooling cavity is provided inside the cladding light filtering base 600 and along the extension path of the cladding light filtering encapsulation element 400. The cladding light filtering base 600 is also provided with a cooling medium inlet 601 and a cooling medium outlet 602 communicating with the cooling cavity.

[0029] Optionally, the cladding light filter encapsulation element 400 is located in the cooling cavity, and its two ends respectively penetrate the ends of the cladding light filter base 600.

[0030] Optionally, the cladding light filter encapsulation element 400 is made of quartz glass.

[0031] Understandably, the cladding light filter base 600 uses active liquid cooling to efficiently remove the heat generated after the cladding light is absorbed.

[0032] For the integrated packaging structure of fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping in this embodiment, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 8 The outer surface of the cladding optical filter base 600 is provided with a plurality of fixing grooves 603, and the pump optical fiber 130 is placed inside the fixing grooves 603.

[0033] Optionally, the outer surface of the cladding optical filter base 600 is provided with fixing grooves 603 on both sides, and the groove openings are rounded to effectively alleviate stress concentration of the pump optical fiber 130 during packaging and use, and prevent the optical fiber from breaking due to vibration or thermal expansion and contraction.

[0034] Understandably, the pump fiber 130 can exit from one or both sides of the cladding light filter base 600 (such as 3 fibers on the left, 3 fibers on the right, or 6 fibers on one side), which can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual layout of the pump source, enhancing the adaptability and scalability of the device in different laser systems.

[0035] For the integrated packaging structure of fiber pump bundle combining and cladding stripping in this embodiment, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 8 It also includes a base 200 and a top cover 100, with the first encapsulation segment and the second encapsulation segment both disposed between the base 200 and the top cover 100.

[0036] Optionally, the base 200 includes a first support section and a second support section. The first encapsulation section is configured as a groove-shaped structure to accommodate the fiber optic encapsulation element 300, which is connected to the groove-shaped structure via high-fold adhesive. A connecting section 500 is formed between the end of the fiber optic encapsulation element 300 and the end of the first support section. The second support section is configured as a plate-shaped structure to support the cladding optical filter base 600, which is connected to the plate-shaped structure via high-fold adhesive. Simultaneously, the plate-shaped structure has mounting openings for the cooling medium inlet 601 and cooling medium outlet 602 to pass through. A slot is provided at the mounting opening, and protrusions matching the slot are provided around both the cooling medium inlet 601 and the cooling medium outlet 602. The slot and protrusions cooperate to limit the positioning of the cladding optical filter base 600.

[0037] Optionally, the base 200 and the upper cover 100 are made of aluminum alloy and undergo micro-arc oxidation treatment. Compared with traditional stainless steel or copper-based structures, the aluminum alloy has a lower density (2.8 g / cm³), significantly reducing weight while maintaining high strength, meeting the requirements of lightweight applications such as aerospace and mobile platforms. Simultaneously, the use of micro-arc oxidized aluminum alloy utilizes its excellent thermal conductivity to achieve passive heat dissipation; the composite heat dissipation design combining active (cooling medium heat dissipation) and passive heat dissipation allows the two heat dissipation methods to work synergistically, significantly improving the overall heat capacity and heat dissipation efficiency of the device and avoiding optical damage caused by localized overheating.

[0038] Optionally, the base 200 and the top cover 100 are made of aluminum silicon carbide, which is an advanced structural and functional integrated material that combines lightweight, high strength, high thermal conductivity, and low expansion.

[0039] Example 2: According to an embodiment of this utility model, a method for fabricating an integrated packaging structure based on fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping is provided. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figures 1 to 8 This includes the following steps: S100. Fabricate fiber optic combiner 110, assemble fiber optic combiner 110 into fiber optic encapsulation element 300, and assemble fiber optic encapsulation element 300 into first encapsulation segment for encapsulation.

[0040] The method for manufacturing the fiber optic combiner 110 is as follows: Based on the twisting method or the sleeve method, one signal fiber 120 and N pump fibers 130 are bundled to form an (N+1) fiber bundle. The diameter of the (N+1) fiber bundle is less than or equal to the diameter of the pump output fiber 140. The (N+1) fiber bundle and the pump output fiber 140 are aligned. Online feedback fusion splicing is performed with the help of external light sources and monitoring equipment (including but not limited to power meters, spot analyzers, M2 meters, etc.) to ensure accurate alignment of the fiber cores. The aligned (N+1) fiber bundle and the pump output fiber 140 are fused together using a fusion splicer to form an (N+1)×1 fiber combiner.

[0041] S200 and pump fiber 130 exit from the side of connector section 500, and pump output fiber 140 exits from the end of the first encapsulation section.

[0042] S300. A cladding light stripper 900 is fabricated on the signal optical fiber 120. The fabrication method includes, but is not limited to, chemical etching, laser etching, high-refractive-index adhesive coating, and metal coating. The cladding light stripper 900 is assembled into the cladding light filtering encapsulation element 400, and the cladding light filtering encapsulation element 400 is assembled into the second encapsulation section. The signal optical fiber 120 exits from the end of the second encapsulation section, is encapsulated, and the top cover 100 is placed on to complete the fabrication.

[0043] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0044] Optionally, specific examples in this embodiment can refer to the examples described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0045] The sequence numbers of the embodiments in this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0046] In the above embodiments of this application, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An integrated packaging structure for fiber optic pump bundling and cladding stripping, characterized in that, include: The first encapsulation section includes an optical fiber encapsulation element for encapsulating an optical fiber combiner, which is formed by bundling one signal fiber, N pump fibers and one pump output fiber, with the pump output fiber exiting from the first encapsulation section. The second encapsulation section includes a cladding optical filtering encapsulation element for encapsulating a cladding optical stripper, the signal optical fiber passing through the cladding optical filtering encapsulation element and exiting from the second encapsulation section, and the cladding optical stripper being located on the signal optical fiber; And a connector segment located between the first encapsulation segment and the second encapsulation segment, from which the pump fiber exits.

2. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fiber optic packaging element includes a fiber optic packaging base and a fiber optic packaging cover, and a packaging groove for accommodating the fiber optic combiner is formed between the two.

3. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second encapsulation section also includes a cladding light filtering base, the cladding light filtering encapsulation element penetrates the cladding light filtering base, and a sealing ring is provided at the junction of the two.

4. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 3, characterized in that, A cooling cavity is provided inside the cladding light filtering base and along the extension path of the cladding light filtering package element. The cladding light filtering base is also provided with a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet communicating with the cooling cavity.

5. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The outer surface of the cladding optical filter base is provided with several fixing slots, and the pump optical fiber is placed inside the fixing slots.

6. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a base and a top cover, with the first encapsulation segment and the second encapsulation segment both disposed between the base and the top cover.

7. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base and the top cover are made of aluminum alloy or aluminum silicon carbide.

8. The integrated packaging structure for fiber pump bundling and cladding stripping according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central axis of the optical fiber packaging element is collinear with the central axis of the cladding optical filtering packaging element.

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