Optical path assembly and laser system

Abstract

This application discloses an optical path assembly and a laser system. The optical path assembly includes a laser component, a grating-integrated beam combiner, a master oscillating fiber, and an output coupling grating. The laser component includes multiple pump sources. The input end of the grating-integrated beam combiner is optically connected to the output ends of the multiple pump sources. The input end of the master oscillating fiber is optically connected to the output end of the grating-integrated beam combiner, and the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber is less than or equal to 0.062. The input end of the output coupling grating is optically connected to the output end of the master oscillating fiber. By connecting the master oscillating fiber to the output end of the grating-integrated beam combiner and the input end of the output coupling grating, this application enables the laser beam combined by the grating-integrated beam combiner to be transmitted through the master oscillating fiber to the output coupling grating, and to generate signal light through the resonant cavity formed by the grating-integrated beam combiner and the output coupling grating. Moreover, by making the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber less than or equal to 0.062, better beam quality can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of laser technology, and in particular to an optical path component and a laser system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of laser technology, fiber lasers are being used more and more widely in industrial processing. To achieve better welding and cutting results, fiber lasers need to have both high power and good beam quality.

[0003] In related technologies, fiber lasers typically employ a master oscillator power-amplifier (MOPA) structure. Under the action of the pump source and resonant cavity, the master oscillator stage generates signal light, and the amplification stage absorbs the pump light, thereby amplifying the signal light with good beam quality to obtain a high-power, high-beam-quality laser.

[0004] However, when the power of a fiber laser is high, some of the higher-order mode signal light within the fiber laser will also be amplified by the amplification stage, resulting in a deterioration in the beam quality of the fiber laser. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an optical path component and a laser system, aiming to solve the technical problem that when the power of a fiber laser is high, some high-order mode signal light in the fiber laser will also be amplified by the amplification stage, resulting in a deterioration of the beam quality of the fiber laser.

[0006] This application provides an optical path component, including: Multiple pump sources; A grating-integrated beam combiner, wherein the input end of the grating-integrated beam combiner is connected to the optical path of the output end of the plurality of pump sources; The main oscillating fiber has its input end connected to the output end of the grating-integrated combiner, and the numerical aperture of the main oscillating fiber is less than or equal to 0.062. An output coupling grating is provided, the input end of which is connected to the output end of the master oscillating fiber.

[0007] In some embodiments, the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber is greater than or equal to 0.05.

[0008] In some embodiments, the optical path assembly further includes a stripper, the input end of which is optically connected to the output end of the output coupling grating, and the core diameter of the stripper is greater than or equal to 20 micrometers and less than or equal to 30 micrometers.

[0009] In some embodiments, the optical path assembly further includes a laser output head, the input end of which is optically connected to the output end of the stripper, and the core diameter of the laser output head is greater than or equal to 30 micrometers and less than or equal to 40 micrometers.

[0010] In some embodiments, the optical path assembly further includes a mode field adapter disposed in the optical path between the mode stripper and the laser output head.

[0011] In some embodiments, the optical path assembly further includes a power amplification fiber disposed in the optical path between the output coupling grating and the mode stripper.

[0012] In some embodiments, the number of pump sources is three.

[0013] In some embodiments, the grating-integrated beam combiner includes a highly reflective grating.

[0014] In some embodiments, the optical path assembly further includes a signal light transmitter, the output of which is optically connected to the input of the grating-integrated beam combiner.

[0015] This application embodiment also provides a laser system, the laser system including the optical path component as described above, the optical path component including: The laser assembly includes multiple pump sources; A grating-integrated beam combiner, wherein the input end of the grating-integrated beam combiner is connected to the optical path of the output end of the plurality of pump sources; The main oscillating fiber has its input end connected to the output end of the grating-integrated combiner, and the numerical aperture of the main oscillating fiber is less than or equal to 0.062. An output coupling grating is provided, the input end of which is connected to the output end of the master oscillating fiber.

[0016] The optical path assembly provided in this application connects the input end of a grating-integrated beam combiner to the output optical paths of multiple pump sources of a laser assembly, enabling the laser beams output from multiple pump sources to be combined through the grating-integrated beam combiner. Simultaneously, the input end of the master oscillating fiber is connected to the output optical path of the grating-integrated beam combiner, and the input end of the output coupling grating is connected to the output optical path of the master oscillating fiber. This allows the laser beam combined by the grating-integrated beam combiner to be transmitted through the master oscillating fiber to the output coupling grating, and signal light is generated through the resonant cavity formed by the combination of the grating-integrated beam combiner and the output coupling grating. By making the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber less than or equal to 0.062, the quality of the generated signal light can be improved, resulting in better beam quality. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The technical solution and other beneficial effects of this application will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the optical path component provided in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the optical path component provided in this application.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1-Optical path assembly; 11-Signal light transmitter; 12-Pump source; 13-Grating combined beam combiner; 14-Main oscillation fiber; 15-Output coupling grating; 16-Power amplification fiber; 17-Mode stripper; 18-Mode field adapter; 19-Laser output head. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, 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, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0024] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this application, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0025] This application provides an optical path component and a laser system. These will be described in detail below.

[0026] First, this application provides an optical path component.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the optical path component provided in this application. Figure 1As shown, the optical path assembly 1 includes multiple pump sources 12, a grating-integrated beam combiner 13, a master oscillating fiber 14, and an output coupling grating 15. The input end of the grating-integrated beam combiner 13 is connected to the output end optical path of the multiple pump sources 12, so that the lasers output from the multiple pump sources are combined through the grating-integrated beam combiner 13. The input end of the master oscillating fiber 14 is connected to the output end optical path of the grating-integrated beam combiner 13, and the input end of the output coupling grating 15 is connected to the output end optical path of the master oscillating fiber 14. Thus, the laser beam combined by the grating-integrated beam combiner 13 can be transmitted to the output coupling grating 15 through the master oscillating fiber 14, and a signal light is generated through the resonant cavity formed by the combination of the grating-integrated beam combiner 13 and the output coupling grating 15.

[0028] In this embodiment, the number of pump sources 12 is two, three, four, or more. Specifically, the number of pump sources 12 is three. The grating combiner 13 is a 3+1 integrated grating combiner 13. The outputs of the three pump sources 12 are all connected to the input of the grating combiner 13 via optical fibers.

[0029] In some embodiments, the grating-integrated beam combiner 13 may include a highly reflective grating. This allows the highly reflective grating of the grating-integrated beam combiner 13 and the output coupling grating 15 to stably form a resonant cavity.

[0030] In some embodiments, the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber 14 can be less than or equal to 0.062, thereby improving the quality of the generated signal light and facilitating the acquisition of better beam quality. The numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber 14 can be 0.06, 0.058, 0.057, 0.055, 0.054, 0.052, 0.05, 0.045, etc., depending on the requirements for beam quality, and is not limited here.

[0031] Additionally, the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber 14 can be greater than or equal to 0.05 to avoid the numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber 14 being too small, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost requirements of the master oscillating fiber 14. The numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber 14 can be 0.051, 0.053, 0.059, 0.061, etc., and is not limited here.

[0032] In this embodiment of the application, the master oscillating fiber 14 can be a master oscillating ytterbium-doped fiber (MOYDF).

[0033] Continue to refer to Figure 1The optical path assembly 1 also includes a mode stripper 17 (CMS), the input of which is optically connected to the output of the output coupling grating 15. Thus, the mode stripper 17 can remove higher-order mode laser and pump light from the cladding of the optical fiber, thereby improving beam quality.

[0034] In some embodiments, the core diameter of the stripper 17 can be greater than or equal to 20 micrometers and less than or equal to 30 micrometers to further improve the stripping effect of the stripper 17 on the high-order mode laser and pump light in the cladding of the optical fiber, and further improve the beam quality. The core diameter of the stripper 17 can be 21 micrometers, 23 micrometers, 25 micrometers, 26 micrometers, 28 micrometers, 29 micrometers, etc., and is not limited here.

[0035] In some embodiments, the diameter of the optical fiber of the stripper 17 may be 400 micrometers or other sizes, which are not limited here.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the optical path assembly 1 may further include a laser output head 19, the input end of which is optically connected to the output end of the mode stripper 17. Thus, after the high-order mode laser and pump light in the cladding of the optical fiber are stripped by the mode stripper 17, the laser in the fiber core can be transmitted to the laser output head 19 and output through the output end of the laser output head 19.

[0037] Specifically, the core diameter of the laser output head 19 can be greater than or equal to 30 micrometers and less than or equal to 40 micrometers, thereby further improving the quality of the beam within the core. Simultaneously, it avoids the problem of excessively high laser power density at the output end of the laser output head 19, which could lead to nonlinear effects, if the core diameter of the laser output head 19 is too small. The core diameter of the laser output head 19 can be 31 micrometers, 32 micrometers, 34 micrometers, 35 micrometers, 37 micrometers, 39 micrometers, etc., and is not limited here.

[0038] In some embodiments, the diameter of the optical fiber of the laser output head 19 may be 250 micrometers or other sizes, which are not limited here.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the optical path assembly 1 may further include a mode field adapter 18, which is disposed in the optical path between the mode stripper 17 and the laser output head 19. By providing the mode field adapter 18 between the mode stripper 17 and the laser output head 19, the coupling loss between the mode stripper 17 and the laser output head 19 can be reduced, further improving the beam quality.

[0040] Specifically, the fiber diameter at the end of the mode field adapter 18 that connects to the output end of the mode stripper 17 is substantially equal to the fiber diameter at the output end of the mode stripper 17. The fiber diameter at the end of the mode field adapter 18 that connects to the input end of the laser output head 19 is substantially equal to the fiber diameter at the input end of the laser output head 19. For example: the fiber diameter of the mode stripper 17 is 400 micrometers, and the core diameter is 25 micrometers. The fiber diameter at the end of the mode field adapter 18 that connects to the output end of the mode stripper 17 is 400 micrometers, and the core diameter is 25 micrometers. The fiber diameter of the laser output head 19 is 250 micrometers, and the core diameter is 34 micrometers. The fiber diameter at the end of the mode field adapter 18 that connects to the input end of the laser output head 19 is 250 micrometers, and the core diameter is 34 micrometers.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the optical path component 1 may further include a power amplification fiber 16, which is disposed in the optical path between the output coupling grating 15 and the mode stripper 17. Thus, the signal light can be amplified through the power amplification fiber 16, ensuring high beam quality of the output laser while achieving high power and high energy output. The power amplification fiber 16 can be a power-amplifier ytterbium-doped fiber (MOYDF).

[0042] In some embodiments, the optical path assembly 1 further includes a signal light transmitter 11, the output end of which is optically connected to the input end of the grating-integrated beam combiner 13. Thus, the signal light emitted by the signal transmitter can sequentially pass through the grating-integrated beam combiner 13, the master oscillating fiber 14, the output coupling grating 15, the power amplifying fiber 16, the mode stripper 17, the mode field adapter 18, and the laser output head 19, and be transmitted from the output end of the laser output head 19 to the surface of the workpiece to be processed, so as to mark the processing location on the surface of the workpiece.

[0043] The signal light transmitter 11 can be a red laser diode or other transmitters capable of emitting signal light; there are no restrictions here.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the optical path component provided in this application. In other embodiments, such as... Figure 2As shown, the optical path assembly 1 can also exclude the mode field adapter 18. In this case, the output end of the mode stripper 17 is directly connected to the input end of the laser output head 19. Specifically, the fiber diameter at the output end of the mode stripper 17 can be approximately equal to the fiber diameter at the input end of the laser output head 19, and the core diameter of the fiber at the output end of the mode stripper 17 can be approximately equal to the core diameter of the fiber at the input end of the laser output head 19. This reduces coupling loss between the mode stripper 17 and the laser output head 19 after connecting their optical paths, further improving beam quality.

[0045] Specifically, the fiber diameter of the stripper 17 can be 400 micrometers, and the core diameter can be 50 micrometers. The fiber diameter of the laser output head 19 can be 400 micrometers, and the core diameter can be 50 micrometers. Of course, the fiber diameter and core diameter of the stripper 17, and the fiber diameter and core diameter of the laser output head 19 can also be other sizes, which are not limited here.

[0046] This application also provides a laser system, which includes an optical path component. The specific structure of the optical path component is as described in the above embodiments. Since this laser system adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0047] The laser system may also include a cooling component for cooling the heat-generating area of ​​the optical path component 1, a power supply for providing current to the pump source 12, etc., without limitation.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0049] The foregoing has provided a detailed description of an optical path component and a laser system provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the technical solutions and core ideas of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An optical circuit assembly (1), characterized in that include: Multiple pump sources (12); A grating-integrated beam combiner (13) is provided, with its input end connected to the output optical path of the plurality of pump sources (12). The main oscillating fiber (14) has its input end connected to the output end of the grating-integrated combiner (13) via an optical path, and the numerical aperture of the main oscillating fiber (14) is less than or equal to 0.

062. An output coupling grating (15) is provided, the input end of which is connected to the output end of the main oscillating fiber (14).

2. The optical circuit assembly (1) of claim 1, characterized in that The numerical aperture of the master oscillating fiber (14) is greater than or equal to 0.

05.

3. The optical circuit assembly (1) of claim 1, characterized in that The optical path assembly (1) further includes a stripper (17), the input end of which is optically connected to the output end of the output coupling grating (15), and the core diameter of the stripper (17) is greater than or equal to 20 micrometers and less than or equal to 30 micrometers.

4. The optical circuit assembly (1) of claim 3, characterized in that The optical path assembly (1) also includes a laser output head (19), the input end of which is optically connected to the output end of the stripper (17), and the core diameter of the laser output head (19) is greater than or equal to 30 micrometers and less than or equal to 40 micrometers.

5. The optical circuit assembly (1) of claim 4, characterized in that The optical path assembly (1) further includes a mode field adapter (18), which is disposed on the optical path between the mode stripper (17) and the laser output head (19).

6. The optical circuit assembly (1) of claim 5, characterized in that The optical path assembly (1) further includes a power amplification fiber (16), which is disposed in the optical path between the output coupling grating (15) and the mode stripper (17).

7. The optical circuit assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The number of pump sources (12) is three.

8. The optical circuit assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The grating-integrated beam combiner (13) includes a high-reflectivity grating.

9. The optical circuit assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The optical path assembly (1) also includes a signal light transmitter (11), the output end of which is optically connected to the input end of the grating integrated beam combiner (13).

10. A laser system, characterized by, The laser system includes the optical path component (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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