An active fiber coiled device and fiber laser comprising the same

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of active fiber coiling device and the fiber laser comprising it, belong to fiber laser technical field, including substrate, first coiling structure, second coiling structure and transition groove;It is by being arranged in coiling device first coiling structure and interval arrangement in the inner ring of first coiling structure second coiling structure, and by transition groove two coiling structures are communicated, to in the premise of not increasing the overall space of coiling device, realize the two coiling modes of fiber in the same coiling device, and realize heat partition, avoid heat accumulation;By setting straight line section in first coiling structure, and fiber inlet and fiber outlet are set on straight line section, to ensure fiber fusion quality, meet the demand of mass production;By setting at least one continuous curve section in second coiling structure, make coiled fiber always be in bending mode selection state, ensure the quality of output laser beam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fiber laser technology, specifically relating to an active fiber winding device and a fiber laser containing the same. Background Technology

[0002] Active optical fiber, as the gain medium in fiber lasers, plays a core role in amplifying optical signals by doping with rare earth elements. Under pump light excitation, rare earth ions absorb energy and release laser light, while maintaining a high power density within the fiber to achieve ion population inversion, and finally outputting laser signals through a resonant cavity.

[0003] The coiling scheme of active optical fiber is a critical design element, primarily aimed at optimizing laser performance, stability, and reliability. Currently, the main coiling schemes for active optical fibers include: racetrack-shaped, circular, square, dumbbell-shaped (i.e., gourd-shaped), and spiral. Among these, the racetrack-shaped coiling scheme is the most widely used due to its high manufacturing yield and ease of mass production; however, its filtering effect on higher-order modes is limited. Circular and dumbbell-shaped coiling keep the fiber constantly coiled, causing the laser to remain in a bending mode-selective state during long-distance transmission. Although the final output laser beam quality is good, heat accumulation is prone to occur in the fiber region where the pump light is injected, thus requiring high heat dissipation. Furthermore, the fusion splice technology at this location is highly demanding; improper handling of the fiber and fusion splice at this point often leads to laser burnout. Utility Model Content

[0004] In response to one or more of the above-mentioned defects or improvement needs of the prior art, this utility model provides an active optical fiber winding device and an optical fiber laser containing the device, which can realize the formation of two winding structures of optical fiber in the winding device, so as to combine the advantages of the two winding methods, which can not only meet the requirements of optical fiber splicing, but also ensure high-quality laser output and improve product performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of this utility model provides an active optical fiber winding device, comprising: substrate; A first coiled structure is disposed on the substrate, including an optical fiber inlet, an optical fiber outlet, and a first groove and a second groove extending in parallel in a coiled shape; the first groove and the second groove include at least a straight segment and a curved segment communicating with the straight segment, the optical fiber inlet is disposed on the straight segment of the first groove, and the optical fiber outlet is disposed on the straight segment of the second groove. The second coiled structure is disposed on the substrate and spaced apart inside the first coiled structure, including a reversing groove and a third groove and a fourth groove extending in parallel in a coiled shape; the third groove and the fourth groove include at least one continuous curved segment; one end of the reversing groove communicates with the inner side of the third groove and the other end communicates with the inner side of the fourth groove. A transition groove is disposed on the substrate and located between the first winding structure and the second winding structure; it includes a first transition groove and a second transition groove; one end of the first transition groove communicates with the inner side of the first groove and the other end communicates with the outer side of the third groove; one end of the second transition groove communicates with the inner side of the second groove and the other end communicates with the outer side of the fourth groove.

[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, the first groove and the second groove include at least a pair of parallel and spaced straight segments and a curved segment connecting the two straight segments, and the curvature center of the curved segment is located inside the first coiled structure. As a further improvement of this utility model, the third groove and the fourth groove include multiple sequentially connected curved segments, and the curvature centers of two adjacent curved segments are located on different sides of the second coiled structure. As a further improvement of this utility model, there is a gap between the first groove and the second groove, and / or there is a gap between the third groove and the fourth groove, and the gap is greater than 0.1 mm. As a further improvement of this utility model, the cross-sectional shape of the first groove and / or the second groove and / or the third groove and / or the fourth groove and / or the transition groove is U-shaped, V-shaped, circular or rectangular.

[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, the optical fiber inlet and the optical fiber outlet are located at the same position in the circumferential direction of the first fiber coil structure; or, The optical fiber inlet and the optical fiber outlet are located at different positions in the circumferential direction of the first fiber coil structure.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the second winding structure also includes a jumper groove, which extends along a direction intersecting the extension directions of the third groove and the fourth groove, and spans multiple turns of the third groove and the fourth groove, so as to simultaneously connect multiple turns of the third groove and the fourth groove through the jumper groove.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, two jumper slots are provided, and the two jumper slots are respectively connected to the two ends of the reverse slot.

[0010] In another aspect, this utility model provides a fiber laser, including an active optical fiber and the aforementioned active optical fiber winding device, wherein the active optical fiber is wound within the active optical fiber winding device.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the width and depth of the first groove, the second groove, the third groove, the fourth groove, the reversal groove, and the transition groove are greater than the outer diameter of the optical fiber. The aforementioned improved technical features can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0012] In summary, the beneficial effects of the above-described technical solutions conceived by this utility model compared with the prior art include: (1) The active fiber winding device and the fiber laser containing the present invention, by setting a first winding structure and a second winding structure at intervals in the inner circle of the first winding structure in the winding device, and connecting the two winding structures by a transition groove, so as to realize two winding methods of the fiber in the same winding device without increasing the overall space of the winding device, and to realize heat partitioning and avoid heat accumulation; by setting a straight section in the first winding structure and setting the fiber inlet and fiber outlet on the straight section, the fiber splicing quality is guaranteed and the mass production needs are met; by setting at least one continuous curved section in the second winding structure, the winding fiber is always in a bending mode selection state, ensuring the quality of the output laser beam.

[0013] (2) The active fiber winding device and the fiber laser containing the present invention, by setting a jumper groove in the second winding structure to connect multiple turns of the third groove and the fourth groove, can flexibly select the winding path according to the requirements of the fiber winding diameter or fiber length when winding the fiber, thereby further improving the applicability of the product.

[0014] (3) The active fiber winding device and the fiber laser containing it of this utility model have a reasonable structure and are easy to wind. They can ensure high-quality laser output and reduce the difficulty of fiber and splice processing, effectively improving the performance of the product. They are suitable for winding fibers of different lengths and different output laser beam requirements, and have good application prospects and promotion value. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the active optical fiber winding device in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the active optical fiber winding device in another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical fiber winding in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 6 The fiber disc structure in this embodiment of the utility model is a rounded rectangular shape; Figure 7 The embodiment of this utility model features a equidistant wavy fiber disc structure. Figure 8 The embodiment of this utility model features a wavy, non-uniformly spaced fiber disc structure.

[0018] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same technical features, specifically: 1, substrate; 2, first winding structure; 201, first groove; 202, second groove; 3, second winding structure; 301, third groove; 302, fourth groove; 303, fiber jumper groove; 304, reversal groove; 4, transition groove; 401, first transition groove; 402, second transition groove; 5, optical fiber inlet; 6, optical fiber outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise expressly and specifically limited.

[0022] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0024] Example: Please see Figures 1-8The active optical fiber winding device in the preferred embodiment of this utility model includes a substrate 1 and a first winding structure 2, a second winding structure 3, and a transition groove 4 disposed on the substrate 1. The first winding structure 2 and the second winding structure 3 are connected through the transition groove 4, realizing two winding methods for optical fiber within one winding device. The straight segment in the first winding structure 2 meets the requirements for optical fiber splicing, improves the yield rate of the manufacturing process, and enables mass production. The continuous curve in the second winding structure 3 keeps the optical fiber in a bending mode selection state during long-distance transmission, ensuring high-quality laser output and improving product performance. At the same time, the two different winding structures can effectively separate the heat loss area caused by quantum defect from the heat loss area caused by winding mode selection, avoiding heat accumulation and improving product life.

[0025] Specifically, substrate 1 is a heat dissipation substrate 1, which can be made of metal materials such as aluminum alloy and copper alloy or graphite materials to facilitate heat dissipation of optical fibers.

[0026] Further, in the preferred embodiment, the first coiled structure 2 is disposed on the substrate 1, including an optical fiber inlet 5, an optical fiber outlet 6, and a first groove 201 and a second groove 202 extending in parallel in a coiled shape on the substrate 1. The coiled shape can be planar or three-dimensional, and it can extend counterclockwise or clockwise from the outside inwards. Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment shown, the coiled shape extends clockwise from the outside in.

[0027] Meanwhile, the first groove 201 and the second groove 202 include at least a straight segment and a curved segment connecting the straight segment to avoid forming continuous bends, so that most of the heat loss of the optical fiber coiled in the first coiled structure 2 comes from quantum loss.

[0028] Preferably, the first groove 201 and the second groove 202 include at least a pair of parallel straight segments and a curved segment connecting the two straight segments, and the center of curvature of the curved segment is located inside the first groove 201 and the second groove 202; as shown Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment shown, the first groove 201 and the second groove 202 of the single loop are provided with two parallel straight line segments, and curved segments connecting the two straight line segments are provided at both ends to form a racetrack-shaped coiled structure; of course, two parallel straight line segments can also be provided in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively, and curved segments can be provided connecting adjacent straight line segments to form a rounded rectangular coiled structure, such as... Figure 6 As shown in the image.

[0029] Accordingly, the fiber inlet 5 is located on the outermost straight section of the first groove 201, and the fiber outlet 6 is located on the outermost straight section of the second groove 202. This reduces the processing difficulty of the active fiber coiled in the coiling device and the splice, improves the quality of the splice, increases the yield of the fiber laser manufacturing process, and meets the needs of mass production.

[0030] Preferably, the optical fiber inlet 5 and the optical fiber outlet 6 are located at the same position in the circumferential direction of the first winding structure 2, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the figure; of course, it can also be set at different positions in the circumferential direction of the first winding structure 2, such as the optical fiber inlet 5 and the optical fiber outlet 6 being arranged side by side along the transverse direction of the first winding structure 2, or along the longitudinal direction of the first winding structure 2, or along the diagonal direction of the first winding structure 2, etc., depending on the actual needs.

[0031] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the second winding structure 3 is disposed on the substrate 1 and spaced apart inside the first winding structure 2, including a reversal groove 304 and a third groove 301 and a fourth groove 302 extending in parallel in a winding shape. The third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 each include at least one continuous curved segment, ensuring that the optical fiber wound on the second winding structure 3 remains in a bent mode-selective state during long-distance transmission, thereby improving the quality of the final output laser beam and guaranteeing high-quality laser output.

[0032] Preferably, the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 include multiple sequentially connected curved segments, and the curvature centers of the multiple curved segments are all located inside the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302, forming a spiral coiled structure.

[0033] Preferably, the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 include multiple sequentially connected curved segments, and the curvature centers of two adjacent curved segments are located on different sides of the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302. By controlling the curvature of each curved segment, a shape is formed as shown in the figure. Figure 1 The dumbbell shape shown is as follows: Figure 7 The equidistant wavy shape shown is as follows: Figure 8 The diagram shows an unequally spaced, wavy, coiled structure.

[0034] Accordingly, the reversing groove 304 is disposed inside the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302, with one end connected to the inside of the third groove 301 and the other end connected to the inside of the fourth groove 302. It is further preferred that the reversing groove 304 is an S-shaped reversing groove 304, so as to change the winding direction of the optical fiber without overlapping, splicing or suspension.

[0035] The inner side of the third groove 301, which is connected to the reversing groove 304, can be only the innermost ring of the coiled structure formed by the third groove 301, or it can be the innermost ring of the coiled structure formed by the third groove 301 and several rings adjacent to the outermost ring; the inner side of the fourth groove 302, which is connected to the other end of the reversing groove 304, can be only the innermost ring of the coiled structure formed by the fourth groove 302, or it can be the innermost ring of the coiled structure formed by the fourth groove 302 and several rings adjacent to the outermost ring.

[0036] Preferably, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the second winding structure 3 also includes a fiber skipping groove 303, which extends along the direction intersecting the extension directions of the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302, and spans multiple turns of the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302. The fiber skipping groove 303 connects multiple turns of the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 simultaneously, so that during actual fiber winding, the fiber can be skipped directly from the outer ring to the inner ring, or from the outer ring to the inner ring, to achieve flexible control of the fiber winding diameter, thereby controlling the output laser beam; at the same time, the fiber winding path can be flexibly controlled according to the actual length of the fiber.

[0037] In actual setup, the jumper slot 303 can span all the third groove 301 and fourth groove 302 of all layers, or it can only span a portion of the third groove 301 and fourth groove 302 of some layers, depending on the specific requirements. Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 span only a portion of the concentric rings.

[0038] Preferably, such as Figure 3 As shown, the vertical cross-sectional shape of the fiber patching slot 303 can be a quadrilateral geometry, a circle, or other irregular shapes, depending on the actual space required for fiber patching.

[0039] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are two jumper slots 303, and the two jumper slots 303 are respectively connected to the two ends of the reversal slot 304, so that the optical fibers located in the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 can enter the reversal slot 304.

[0040] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the transition groove 4 is disposed between the first winding structure 2 and the second winding structure 3, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, it includes a first transition groove 401 and a second transition groove 402 arranged at intervals; wherein, one end of the first transition groove 401 is connected to the inner side of the first groove 201, that is, the end away from the optical fiber inlet 5, and the other end is connected to the outer side of the third groove 301; one end of the second transition groove 402 is connected to the outer side of the fourth groove 302, and the other end is connected to the inner side of the second groove 202, that is, the end away from the optical fiber outlet 6, so as to realize the transition connection between the first coiled structure 2 and the second coiled structure 3.

[0041] Preferably, the first transition groove 401 is tangent to the first groove 201 and the third groove 301 at the communication position, and the second transition groove 402 is tangent to the fourth groove 302 and the second groove 202 at the communication position, so that the optical fiber can smoothly enter and exit the first winding structure 2 and the second winding structure 3.

[0042] Preferably, in other embodiments, a plurality of first transition grooves 401 may be provided at intervals between the first groove 201 and the third groove 301, for example, three, four, or five first transition grooves 401; and a plurality of second transition grooves 402 may be provided at intervals between the second groove 202 and the fourth groove 302, for example, three, four, or five second transition grooves 402; the number of first transition grooves 401 and second transition grooves 402 may be equal or unequal, so that in actual use, appropriate first transition grooves 401 and second transition grooves 402 can be selected according to the length of the coiled optical fiber.

[0043] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the first groove 201, the second groove 202, the third groove 301, the fourth groove 302, the transition groove 4, and the reversing groove 304 is any one of V-shaped, U-shaped, rectangular, circular, etc.

[0044] Preferably, the first groove 201 and the second groove 202, which are arranged in a coiled and parallel manner, have a gap between them, and the third groove 301 and the fourth groove 302 also have a gap, and the gap is greater than 0.1 mm, so as to increase the thermal coupling area of ​​adjacent grooves and further facilitate the heat dissipation of optical fibers.

[0045] Furthermore, this utility model also relates to a fiber laser, which includes an active optical fiber and the aforementioned active optical fiber winding device, wherein the active optical fiber is wound within the active optical fiber winding device.

[0046] Preferably, the width and depth of the first groove 201, the second groove 202, the third groove 301, the fourth groove 302, the transition groove 4, and the reversal groove 304 are greater than the geometric dimensions of the optical fiber used, so that the optical fiber can be completely embedded in the groove when coiled, thereby increasing the contact area between the optical fiber and the substrate 1 and facilitating heat dissipation of the optical fiber.

[0047] Furthermore, when winding the optical fiber using the aforementioned active optical fiber winding device, such as Figure 5 As shown, the specific steps include the following: (1) The optical fiber enters the first groove 201 through the optical fiber inlet 5 and is coiled from the outside to the inside in the first groove 201; (2) The optical fiber enters the third groove 301 from the first groove 201 through the first transition groove 401, and is coiled from the outside to the inside in the third groove 301; Preferably, depending on the length of the optical fiber or the output requirements, the optical fiber jumps from the outer ring of the third groove 301 through the jumper slot 303 to the inner ring of the third groove 301 or directly jumps into the reversal slot 304, such as... Figure 2 The middle arrow indicates the fiber skipping action. It should be understood that the inner and outer circles mentioned here and below only indicate the relative positions before and after the fiber skipping.

[0048] (3) The optical fiber changes its winding direction from the third groove 301 through the reversal groove 304 and enters the fourth groove 302, where it is wound from the inside to the outside. Preferably, depending on the length of the optical fiber or the output requirements of the optical fiber, the optical fiber enters the outer ring of the fourth groove 302 from the inner ring of the fourth groove 302 via the jumper groove 303.

[0049] (4) The optical fiber enters the second groove 202 from the fourth groove 302 through the second transition groove 402, and is coiled from the inside to the outside in the second groove 202, and is led out through the optical fiber outlet 6 to complete the coiling of the optical fiber.

[0050] The active fiber winding device and the fiber laser containing it of this utility model have a reasonable structure and are easy to wind. They can not only ensure high-quality laser output, but also reduce the difficulty of fiber and splice processing, effectively improve the performance of the product, and are suitable for winding fibers of various lengths and different output laser beam requirements. They have good application prospects and promotion value.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is 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. An active optical fiber winding device, characterized in that, include: substrate; A first coiled structure is disposed on the substrate, including an optical fiber inlet, an optical fiber outlet, and a first groove and a second groove extending in parallel in a coiled shape; the first groove and the second groove include at least a straight segment and a curved segment communicating with the straight segment, the optical fiber inlet is disposed on the straight segment of the first groove, and the optical fiber outlet is disposed on the straight segment of the second groove. The second coiled structure is disposed on the substrate and spaced apart inside the first coiled structure, including a reversing groove and a third groove and a fourth groove extending in parallel in a coiled shape; the third groove and the fourth groove include at least one continuous curved segment; one end of the reversing groove communicates with the inner side of the third groove and the other end communicates with the inner side of the fourth groove. A transition groove is disposed on the substrate and located between the first winding structure and the second winding structure; it includes a first transition groove and a second transition groove; one end of the first transition groove communicates with the inner side of the first groove and the other end communicates with the outer side of the third groove; one end of the second transition groove communicates with the inner side of the second groove and the other end communicates with the outer side of the fourth groove.

2. The active optical fiber winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first groove and the second groove include at least one pair of parallel, spaced-apart straight segments and a curved segment connecting the two straight segments, and the curvature center of the curved segment is located inside the first coiled structure.

3. The active optical fiber winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third groove and the fourth groove include multiple sequentially connected curved segments, and the curvature centers of two adjacent curved segments are located on different sides of the second coiled structure.

4. The active optical fiber winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a gap between the first groove and the second groove, and / or there is a gap between the third groove and the fourth groove, and the gap is greater than 0.1 mm.

5. The active optical fiber winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the first groove and / or the second groove and / or the third groove and / or the fourth groove and / or the transition groove is U-shaped, V-shaped, circular or rectangular.

6. The active optical fiber winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber inlet and the optical fiber outlet are located at the same position in the circumferential direction of the first fiber reel structure; or, The optical fiber inlet and the optical fiber outlet are located at different positions in the circumferential direction of the first fiber coil structure.

7. The active optical fiber winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The second winding structure further includes a jumper groove, which extends along a direction intersecting the extension directions of the third groove and the fourth groove, and spans multiple turns of the third groove and the fourth groove, so as to simultaneously connect multiple turns of the third groove and the fourth groove through the jumper groove.

8. The active optical fiber winding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, There are two jumper slots, and the two jumper slots are respectively connected to the two ends of the reverse slot.

9. A fiber laser, characterized in that, It includes an active optical fiber and an active optical fiber winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the active optical fiber is wound within the active optical fiber winding device.

10. The fiber laser according to claim 9, characterized in that, The width and depth of the first groove, the second groove, the third groove, the fourth groove, the reversal groove, and the transition groove are greater than the outer diameter of the optical fiber.

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