Light source device and laser apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a light source device and a laser equipment. The light source device comprises a laser module, an optical fiber and a light diffusion member. The laser module comprises a laser unit for generating light source light. The optical fiber is provided with a coupling-in end and a coupling-out end. The coupling-in end is arranged on an optical path of the light source light. The light source light is emitted through the coupling-out end to form emitted light after propagating through the optical fiber. The diameter of the optical fiber ranges from greater than or equal to 400 mu m to less than or equal to 600 mu m. The light diffusion member is arranged on an optical propagation path formed by the light source light and the emitted light. The laser equipment comprises a shell and the light source device. The light source device is arranged in the shell. The light source device has a good light mixing effect on the emitted light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical lighting technology, and more specifically, to a light source device and a laser device. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, in order to improve the lighting power of laser lighting equipment (e.g., laser lamp), multiple laser chips are usually set to generate multiple lasers, and the multiple lasers are combined to form a single high-power laser. For example, high-power white light is generated by combining red, green and blue laser units.

[0003] However, existing laser lighting equipment produces an uneven distribution of laser beam brightness after combining three-color lasers, which reduces the lighting effect of the laser lighting equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a light source device and a laser equipment.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, embodiments of this application provide a light source device, including a laser module, an optical fiber, and a light diffuser. The laser module includes a laser unit for generating light from the light source; the optical fiber has an insertion end and an exit end, the insertion end being disposed in the optical path where the light from the light source is located, and the light from the light source propagates through the optical fiber and exits through the exit end to form emitted light. The diameter of the optical fiber is in the range of 400 μm or greater and 600 μm or less. The light diffuser is disposed on the light propagation path formed by the light from the light source and the emitted light.

[0006] In some optional embodiments, the diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 400 μm and less than or equal to 500 μm, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 0.3NA and less than or equal to 0.37NA.

[0007] In some optional embodiments, the diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 500 μm and less than or equal to 600 μm, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 0.22NA and less than or equal to 0.3NA.

[0008] In some optional embodiments, the laser module further includes a focusing unit disposed between the laser unit and the optical fiber, with the coupling end located at the focal point of the focusing unit.

[0009] In some optional embodiments, the focusing unit includes an aspherical lens, the focal length of which is greater than or equal to 9 mm and less than or equal to 15 mm.

[0010] In some optional embodiments, the diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to the diameter of the light spot formed at the focal point of the focusing unit.

[0011] In some optional embodiments, the number of light diffusers is at least one, and at least one light diffuser is disposed at at least one of the coupling in end and the coupling out end.

[0012] In some optional embodiments, at least one light diffuser includes a first light diffuser, which is disposed at the coupling end, and the diffusion angle of the first light diffuser is greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or equal to 4 degrees.

[0013] In some optional embodiments, at least one light diffuser includes a second light diffuser, which is disposed at the coupling end, and the diffusion angle of the second light diffuser is greater than or equal to 5 degrees.

[0014] In some optional embodiments, the number of laser units is multiple, and the laser module also includes a beam combining unit. The multiple laser units are used to form multiple lasers respectively. The beam combining unit is disposed on the optical path of the multiple lasers to combine the multiple lasers to generate light source light. The light spot formed by the light source light includes multiple concentric ring-shaped light spots.

[0015] According to a second aspect of this application, an embodiment of this application also provides a laser device, which includes a housing and the aforementioned light source device, wherein the light source device is disposed within the housing.

[0016] This application provides a light source device and a laser equipment. The optical fiber used has the aforementioned diameter range. Compared to the 1mm to 3mm outer diameter of the light guide rod used in traditional light source devices, the embodiment of this application uses an optical fiber as a light mixing and guiding device, and its diameter can be set to be smaller to improve the light mixing effect and ensure a smaller overall device size. Furthermore, as a light mixing and guiding device, the aforementioned diameter limits the multiple reflections and crosstalk generated by the light source light during its propagation inside the optical fiber, thereby achieving light mixing. When the light source light includes multiple beams of different colors, the light mixing effect is more significant. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a light source device in the laser equipment shown.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the light source device in the laser equipment shown.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a simulated light spot pattern obtained by coupling the light source light using the optical fiber and a traditional light guide rod as described in this application.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 This is another structural schematic diagram of the light source device in the laser equipment shown.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the light spot formed by the light diffuser in the light source device shown.

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the uniform light effect of the longitudinal or transverse diffusion angle of the light diffuser in the light source device shown.

[0025] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 Another structural schematic diagram of the light source device in the laser equipment shown.

[0026] Figure 9 It is the light spot pattern formed at or before the entrance of the optical fiber when the light from the light source has not passed through the first light diffuser.

[0027] Figure 10 It is the light spot pattern formed at or before the entrance of the optical fiber after the light from the light source passes through the first light diffuser.

[0028] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 Another structural schematic diagram of the light source device in the laser equipment shown.

[0029] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the light spot formed by the second light diffuser in the light source device shown.

[0030] Figure 13 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the light diffuser of the light source device.

[0031] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The diagram shows a schematic of the arrangement of light-transmitting particles on the light diffuser in the laser device.

[0032] Figure 15 yes Figure 13 This diagram illustrates another arrangement of light-transmitting particles on the light diffuser in the laser device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0034] This application provides a light source device 100 and a laser device 200 configured with the light source device 100. The laser device 200 refers to a hardware device that uses a laser as a light source. In some possible embodiments, the laser device 200 can be a laser processing device, such as a laser engraver, a laser cutter, etc. In other possible embodiments, the laser device 200 can also be a laser lighting device, such as a laser stage light, a laser flashlight, a laser projector, etc.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 The laser device 200 may include a light source device 100 and a housing 201. The housing 201 provides mounting space for the light source device 100 and serves to fix and protect it. The light source device 100 generates an illumination beam J, and the housing 201 may also have a light outlet 2120 through which the illumination beam J is emitted to the outside.

[0036] In some possible embodiments, the laser device 200 may further include a light guide 203, which is disposed between the light source device 100 and the light outlet 2120, and located on the optical path of the illumination beam J. On one hand, the light guide 203 can adjust the propagation direction of the illumination beam J to make the internal optical path structure of the laser device 200 more compact. On the other hand, the light guide 203 can also homogenize the illumination beam J to eliminate speckle or uneven light spots in the illumination beam J. Specifically, the light guide 203 may include at least one of an optical fiber, a light homogenizing rod, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0037] As an example, the light guide 203 is disposed on the optical path of the illumination beam J emitted through the collimation module in the light source device 100. Its main function is to adjust the propagation direction of the illumination beam J and to homogenize the illumination beam J. In some possible embodiments, the light guide 203 may be omitted from the laser device 200, allowing the light outlet 2120 to be directly located on the optical path of the illumination beam J for direct emission, thereby reducing the hardware cost of the laser device 200. In other possible embodiments, the laser device 200 may also be provided with one or more reflectors (not shown in the figure) instead of the light guide 203. These reflectors reflect the illumination beam J to the light outlet 2120 to adjust the propagation direction of the illumination beam J.

[0038] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 The light source device 100 may include a laser module 10, an optical fiber 20, and an optical diffuser 30. The laser module 10 includes a laser unit 12 for generating light from the light source. The optical fiber 20 has an insertion end 210 and an output end 230. The insertion end 210 is located in the optical path of the light source J1. The light source J1 propagates through the optical fiber 20 and is emitted through the output end 230 to form the emitted light J2. The diameter of the optical fiber 20 is greater than or equal to 400 μm and less than or equal to 600 μm.

[0039] A light diffuser 30 is disposed on the light propagation path formed by the light source J1 and the emitted light J2 to transmit light. In this embodiment, the light diffuser 30 can be disposed on the optical path of the light source J1, or on the optical path of the emitted light J2, or multiple light diffusers 30 can be disposed, with light diffusers 30 arranged on both the optical paths of the light source J1 and the emitted light J2 to ensure better light uniformity. When the light beam penetrates the light diffuser 30, it can propagate inside the light diffuser 30, thereby achieving diffusion, so that the light spot formed by the light beam does not have obviously distinguishable bright spots or dark spots or obvious partitions. The light diffuser 30 may include a diffuser plate and / or a light uniform plate, etc., to uniformly distribute the light source J1 and / or the emitted light J2, ensuring that the brightness distribution of the final light emitted by the light source device 100 is relatively uniform.

[0040] Therefore, in the light source device 100 provided in this application embodiment, the optical fiber 20 adopts the aforementioned diameter range. Compared to the 1mm to 3mm outer diameter of the light guide rod used in traditional light source devices, the optical fiber 20 used in this application embodiment as a light mixing and guiding device can have a smaller diameter to improve its light mixing effect and ensure a smaller overall device size. As an example, please refer to... Figure 4 , Figure 4The left and right images show simulated light spot patterns when coupling the light source J1 (a light with red, green, and blue coaxial colors) using a smaller diameter optical fiber 20 and a traditional light guide rod, respectively. The left image shows the simulated light spot pattern formed at 45mm from the exit of the 400μm diameter optical fiber 20, while the right image shows the simulated light spot pattern formed at 45mm from the exit of the 1mm diameter light guide rod. Figure 4 It can be clearly seen that using a 400μm diameter optical fiber 20 can mix red, green, and blue light into a relatively uniform circular light spot pattern, while using a 1mm diameter light guide rod results in uneven mixing of red, green, and blue light.

[0041] The following will describe in detail the various components of the light source device 100 and laser device 200 provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the laser module 10 can be a multi-beam laser emitting device, which generates multiple laser beams and combines them before emission, thereby ensuring high power and achieving the lighting requirement of high brightness. Please refer again. Figure 3 The laser module 10 may include a laser unit 12, which generates a first laser L1. The laser unit 12 may include one or more laser chips 121, which may be packaged on a substrate (not shown) to improve the ease of optical path installation and debugging. Specifically, the substrate may be made of a material with good thermal conductivity (e.g., metal), which can effectively dissipate heat from the laser chips 121 to ensure their operating efficiency. As one implementation, the laser chips 121 may be mounted on the substrate using a surface mount device (SMD) process to improve the integration of the laser module 10. In other possible embodiments, the laser chips 121 may also be fixed on the substrate 120 using a transistor outline (TO) package; this embodiment does not limit this. The laser unit 12 may also include a collimation component 123, such as a collimating lens, for focusing and collimating the light from the laser chips 121.

[0043] The number of laser units 12 can be one or more. Specifically, researchers can adjust the number of laser units 12 according to the target power of the illumination beam J; that is, the more laser units 12 there are, the greater the target power of the illumination beam J. When there are multiple laser units 12, the parameters of the lasers emitted by the multiple laser units 12 can be basically the same, such as the same wavelength and the same power, thereby achieving higher power monochromatic illumination. Of course, the parameters of the lasers emitted by the multiple laser units 12 can be different. For example, the wavelengths of the lasers emitted by the multiple laser units 12 can be different, thereby generating multiple first lasers L1 with different colors. By adjusting the power of each of the multiple first lasers L1, the desired color of the illumination beam J can be achieved. Figure 3 In the example shown, there are three laser units 12. The three laser units 12 are used to generate red light (e.g., wavelength can be greater than or equal to 620nm and less than or equal to 760nm), green light (e.g., wavelength can be greater than or equal to 550nm and less than or equal to 570nm), and blue light (e.g., wavelength can be greater than or equal to 420nm and less than or equal to 480nm). When the red light, green light and blue light are combined, white light illumination with higher power and higher color rendering index can be achieved.

[0044] In this embodiment, the laser module 10 may further include a beam combining unit 14, which combines multiple first laser beams L1 emitted by multiple laser units 12. The beam combining unit 14 may include multiple reflectors 141, which are arranged one-to-one on the optical path of the first laser beams L1 generated by the multiple laser units 12. Each reflector 141 reflects its corresponding first laser beam L1 to form a second laser beam L2. As an example, the multiple laser units 12 may be arranged sequentially at intervals, and the multiple reflectors 141 may be arranged sequentially at intervals in the same direction, thereby generating multiple second laser beams L2 that are substantially collinear and unidirectional. The multiple second laser beams L2 propagate substantially coaxially and in the same direction, and the beam combining of the multiple first laser beams L1 is achieved during the propagation of the multiple second laser beams L2 in this direction. Some of the reflectors 141 may include dichroic filters, which transmit light of a specified wavelength and reflect light of a specified wavelength, thereby preventing improper reflection or obstruction of the multiple second laser beams L2 arranged in the same direction. To save space, this embodiment will not elaborate on this point.

[0045] To couple the second laser L2 into the optical fiber 20, the laser module 10 may further include a focusing unit 16. The focusing unit 16 is used to focus multiple beams of the second laser L2 propagating in the same direction, so that as much light as possible enters the optical fiber 20, avoiding energy waste. The focusing unit 16 can be positioned in the optical path where the multiple beams of the second laser L2 are located, and it is used to focus the multiple beams of the second laser L2 to form a single light source J1. Focusing reduces the overall spot size of the light source J1 formed by the second laser L2, which is beneficial for the miniaturization of the light source device 100. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light source J1 is composed of a mixture of two lasers of different wavelengths, allowing the final generated illumination beam J to have a richer range of colors. When this light source device 100 is configured in a laser lighting equipment, it can enrich the application scenarios of the laser lighting equipment and enhance its product competitiveness.

[0046] Please see Figure 5 In this embodiment, the focusing unit 16 may include one or more focusing lenses 161. As an example, the focusing unit 16 includes a focusing lens 161, which focuses multiple beams of second laser light L2 that are substantially coaxial and propagating in the same direction into a light spot that is as small as possible, thereby facilitating beam coupling into the fiber 20. The focusing lens 161 may be a cylindrical lens, a spherical lens, or an aspherical lens, such as a biconcave cylindrical lens, a plano-convex cylindrical lens, etc., and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0047] In this embodiment, the condenser lens 161 can be an aspherical lens. By using an aspherical lens, the wider beams of the second laser L2 can be directly focused. Compared with the spherical lenses used in traditional technology, fewer lenses are required, which helps to reduce costs and the overall size of the light source device 100. The coupling end 210 of the optical fiber 20 is located at the focal point of the aspherical lens, thereby collecting the multiple beams of the second laser L2 (i.e., the light source light J1), so that the light source light J1 emitted through the condenser lens 161 can be fully coupled into the optical fiber 20. By using the optical fiber 20 to collect the focused light source light J1, stray light in the light spot corresponding to the light source light J1 can be eliminated to a certain extent. After propagating through the optical fiber 20, the light source light J1 is emitted through the coupling end 230 to form the emitted light J2. During the propagation of multiple second laser beams L2 within the optical fiber 20, multiple reflections and crosstalk occur, resulting in light mixing. When the multiple second laser beams L2 are of different colors, the light spot of the light source J1 essentially presents as a multi-colored concentric ring-shaped spot. After the light source J1 is mixed by the optical fiber 20, the concentric rings in the emitted light J2 are no longer very obvious, or the multiple colors are essentially mixed. Specifically, in the embodiments of this application, the optical fiber 20 can be a quartz optical fiber, an all-plastic optical fiber, etc., and this embodiment does not impose a specific limitation.

[0048] In some embodiments of this application, the diameter of the optical fiber 20 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the light spot formed by the light source J1 at the focal point of the focusing unit 16. Since the coupling end 210 of the optical fiber 20 is located at the focal point of the focusing unit 16, the size of the light spot formed by the light source J1 at this location is the smallest size of the light spot along the entire propagation path. By placing the coupling end 210 at the focal point, the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be minimized, which is beneficial for using a smaller size optical fiber 20 for light mixing. This allows the light source J1 to be reflected as many times as possible within the optical fiber 20, resulting in a relatively better light mixing effect. Furthermore, making the diameter of the optical fiber 20 greater than or equal to the diameter of the light spot at the focal point allows the focused light source J1 to be almost completely coupled into the optical fiber 20, avoiding unnecessary light loss. If the diameter of the optical fiber 20 is smaller than the diameter of the light spot at the focal point, the light spot cannot be completely coupled into the optical fiber 20, resulting in not only the loss of some light but also the possibility that the light rays around the periphery of the light spot may melt the cladding of the optical fiber 20, ultimately contaminating the fiber core. Therefore, in this embodiment, setting the diameter of the optical fiber 20 within a suitable range can balance high light utilization and small size. It should be understood that the "diameter" of the optical fiber 20 described in this embodiment should be understood as the diameter of the fiber core (usually referred to as "core diameter"), that is, the inner diameter of the channel through which the optical fiber 20 is used to propagate light.

[0049] As an example, the diameter of the optical fiber 20 ranges from 400 μm to 500 μm, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 20 ranges from 0.3NA to 0.4NA. For example, the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 20 can be 0.3NA to 0.37NA (including the endpoints). This example, by configuring the optical fiber 20 with a relatively small diameter, can be adapted to a condenser lens 161 with a shorter focal length, which helps to reduce the overall size of the light source device 100. On this basis, by using a larger numerical aperture, the ability of the optical fiber 20 to capture large-angle light can be guaranteed, thereby ensuring a high light utilization rate.

[0050] As another example, the diameter of the optical fiber 20 ranges from 500 μm to 600 μm, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 20 ranges from 0.2NA to 0.3NA. For example, the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 20 can be 0.22NA to 0.3NA (including the endpoints). This example, by configuring the optical fiber 20 with a relatively large diameter, can be adapted to a condenser lens 161 with a longer focal length, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the light source device 100 to some extent. Furthermore, by using a smaller numerical aperture, the light-capturing ability of the optical fiber 20 can be guaranteed while reducing the dispersion problem of light propagating within the optical fiber 20 to some extent.

[0051] In some embodiments of this application, the focal length of the aspherical lens serving as the condenser lens 161 is in the range of 9mm or greater and 15mm or less. For example, the focal length of the aspherical lens can be 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, etc., or the focal length of the aspherical lens can fall within the range defined by any two of the above values.

[0052] In some practical applications, when the selected aspherical lens has a short focal length, it can be adapted to a smaller diameter optical fiber 20. For example, in an example where the focal length of the aspherical lens is 9mm to 12mm (inclusive), the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be greater than or equal to 400μm and less than or equal to 500μm. Since the focusing capability of a focusing lens determines the angular distribution of light at the focal point, in this example, the aspherical lens has a relatively short focal length, and the diameter of the light spot formed at its focal point is relatively small, so it can be adapted to a relatively small diameter optical fiber 20. Since the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 20 determines the maximum angle of light that the optical fiber 20 can capture, and the cone angle of the light formed at the focal point of a short focal length focusing lens is relatively large, it is necessary to adapt to an optical fiber 20 with a larger numerical aperture. Therefore, in this embodiment, the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 20 can be in the range of 0.3NA to 0.4NA (inclusive) to capture as much of the focused light source J1 as possible. Therefore, in this example, it is necessary to use an optical fiber 20 with a relatively small diameter and a relatively large numerical aperture, such as a single-mode fiber or a thin-core multimode fiber. Its diameter can ensure a certain alignment tolerance for the light source J1, avoiding the loss caused by optical power coupling into the cladding. The large numerical aperture ensures that the receiving angle of the optical fiber 20 is relatively large, so it can ensure that the large-angle light rays in the focused light source J1 can also meet the total internal reflection condition inside the optical fiber 20 and be transmitted smoothly, ensuring that the coupling efficiency of the optical fiber 20 is high.

[0053] In other practical application embodiments, when the selected aspherical lens has a long focal length, a larger diameter optical fiber 20 can be used. For example, in an example where the focal length of the aspherical lens is 12mm to 15mm (including the endpoints), the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be greater than or equal to 500μm and less than or equal to 600μm. Since the focusing capability of the focusing lens determines the angular distribution of the light rays at the focal point, in this example, the aspherical lens has a relatively long focal length, and the diameter of the light spot formed at its focal point is relatively large. Therefore, a relatively large diameter optical fiber 20 can be used to ensure that the light source J1 can be captured almost completely. Since the numerical aperture of fiber 20 determines the maximum angle of light that fiber 20 can capture, and the cone angle of light formed at the focal point of a long focal length focusing lens is small, fiber 20 with a smaller numerical aperture can also meet the requirements. Therefore, in this embodiment, the numerical aperture of fiber 20 can be in the range of 0.22 to 0.3 (inclusive of the endpoints) to capture as much of the focused light source J1 as possible, while avoiding dispersion problems or unnecessary cost increases caused by an excessively large numerical aperture. Therefore, in this example, fiber 20 with a relatively large diameter and a relatively small numerical aperture is required, such as thick-core multimode fiber. Its diameter can ensure a certain alignment tolerance for the light source J1, avoiding losses caused by optical power coupling into the cladding. The smaller numerical aperture ensures that fiber 20 can capture the focused light source J1 while relatively reducing costs and avoiding modal dispersion problems to some extent.

[0054] In some embodiments of this application, the light diffuser 30 can be disposed at at least one end of the optical fiber 20 to achieve the effect of diffused and uniform light. For example, the light diffuser 30 can be attached to the coupling end 210 to achieve preliminary uniform light distribution of the light source J1 before it is coupled into the optical fiber 20. As another example, the light diffuser 30 can be attached to the coupling end 230 to uniformly distribute the emitted light J2. Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 The diagram shows a light spot formed by the light diffuser 30 in some embodiments of this application. The light source J1 or the emitted light J2 passes through the light diffuser 30 to form a designated light spot. The intensity difference between the central region and the edge region of the designated light spot is less than or equal to 10%, that is, the edge brightness of the designated light spot is ≥ 90% of the center brightness. This makes the light intensity distribution of the designated light spot more uniform and the light diffuser 30 has a better light uniformity effect.

[0055] In this embodiment, the light diffuser 30 is a light-diffusing sheet, also known as a uniform diffuser or a flat-top diffuser. For example... Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7A schematic diagram of the uniform light effect of the longitudinal or transverse diffusion angle of the light diffuser 30 is shown. As can be seen from the figure, after the light beam passes through the light diffuser 30 of this embodiment, the intensity distribution from the center to the edge of the specified light spot is stable near the specified light intensity value, the intensity consistency from the center to the edge of the specified light spot is good, and the overall brightness of the light spot is basically consistent.

[0056] Therefore, in some embodiments of this application, the number of light diffusers 30 is at least one, and at least one light diffuser 30 is disposed at at least one of the coupling in end 210 and coupling out end 230 of the optical fiber 20.

[0057] As an example, please refer to Figure 8 At least one optical diffuser 30 may contain a first optical diffuser 36, which may be disposed in the optical path of the incident light J1. Specifically, the first optical diffuser 36 may be disposed at the coupling end 210. For example, the first optical diffuser 36 may be attached to the coupling end 210 to allow the incident light J1 to undergo preliminary diffusion and homogenization before entering the optical fiber 20, which is beneficial for the subsequent further mixing of light by the optical fiber 20 and improves the mixing effect. Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 The diagram shows the light spot pattern formed by the light source J1 at or before the entrance of the optical fiber 20 without passing through the first light diffuser 36. Since the light source J1 is the combined light of multiple essentially coaxial and co-directionally propagating second lasers L2, and in this embodiment, the multiple second lasers L2 are of different colors, for example, three second lasers L2 are red, blue, and green lasers respectively, this makes the light spot of the light source J1 essentially appear as a multi-colored concentric ring-shaped light spot. Figure 9 It is evident that the light source J1 did not undergo the diffusion and homogenization effect of the first light diffuser 36, and the light spot before the entrance of the optical fiber 20 exhibited an unsatisfactory light mixing effect. The red, green, and blue light spots in the light spot were not evenly spaced, the number of circles was not dense enough, and the red, green, and blue light did not overlap significantly. Figure 10 The diagram shows the light spot formed by the light source J1 at or before the entrance of the optical fiber 20 after passing through the first light diffuser 36. It can be seen that after the light source J1 passes through the diffusion and homogenization effect of the first light diffuser 36 and the light mixing effect of the optical fiber 20, the red, green and blue light spots in the light spot of the emitted light J2 are relatively uniform and consistent, and the number of circles is relatively dense. Furthermore, the overlap between the red, green and blue light is relatively high. The homogenization effect of the first light diffuser 36 on the light source J1 is very significant.

[0058] In this example, the diffusion angle of the first optical diffuser 36 is greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or equal to 4 degrees. Since the first optical diffuser 36 helps to suppress modal noise and laser speckle, setting a suitable diffusion angle in this embodiment can enable the beam entering the fiber 20 to excite more modes, reduce the coherence between beams, thereby mitigating the speckle effect and improving the uniformity of the outgoing light J2.

[0059] Furthermore, when the diameter of the optical fiber 20 is relatively large, a diffuser with a relatively large angle can be adapted in a specific example. For example, the diffusion angle of the first optical diffuser 36 is greater than or equal to 1 degree and less than or equal to 4 degrees, while the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be 500μm to 600μm (including the endpoint). The first optical diffuser 36 with a larger angle can achieve better light uniformity, and the coordinated configuration of the larger diameter optical fiber 20 can ensure that more of the light source light J1 diffused by the first optical diffuser 36 is captured, thereby improving light utilization and coupling efficiency. During the research and development process of this application, simulation and experimental verification revealed that when the diameter of the optical fiber 20 is 600 μm and the diffuser angle of the first optical diffuser 36 is 3 degrees, the efficiency of red light coupling into the optical fiber 20 can reach over 70%. However, when the diameter of the optical fiber 20 is 600 μm and the diffuser angle of the first optical diffuser 36 is 5 degrees, the efficiency of red light coupling into the optical fiber 20 is only 50%. Therefore, setting a suitable optical diffusion angle for the first optical diffuser 36 is crucial; a larger angle is not necessarily better, but rather a suitable angle can ensure a high optical coupling efficiency. As a specific example, the diffusion angle of the first optical diffuser 36 ranges from 2 degrees to 3 degrees, while the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be 550 μm to 600 μm (including the endpoints).

[0060] When the diameter of the optical fiber 20 is relatively small, a diffuser with a relatively small angle can be used in a specific example. For instance, the diffusion angle of the first optical diffuser 36 can range from 0.5 degrees to 2 degrees, while the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be 400 μm to 500 μm (including the endpoints). Since the receiving surface of the smaller core diameter optical fiber 20 is relatively small, configuring it with a first optical diffuser 36 with a relatively small angle can gently improve the beam quality and avoid excessive diffusion that would cause the spot size to significantly exceed the diameter of the optical fiber 20. As a specific example, the diffusion angle of the first optical diffuser 36 can range from 0.5 degrees to 1 degree, while the diameter of the optical fiber 20 can be 400 μm to 450 μm (including the endpoints).

[0061] As another example, please refer to Figure 11At least one optical diffuser 30 may contain a second optical diffuser 38, which can be disposed in the optical path of the emitted light J2. Specifically, the second optical diffuser 38 can be disposed at the coupling end 230. For example, the second optical diffuser 38 can be attached to the coupling end 230 or disposed at a distance from the coupling end 230, so that the emitted light J2 emitted through the optical fiber 20 is further diffused and homogenized, which is beneficial to improving the light mixing effect. Figure 12 As shown, Figure 12 The diagram shows the light spot formed by the emitted light J2 after passing through the second light diffuser 38. Since the light source J1 is the combined light of multiple essentially coaxial and co-directionally propagating second lasers L2, and in this embodiment, the multiple second lasers L2 are of different colors, for example, the three second lasers L2 are red, blue, and green lasers respectively, this makes the light spot of the light source J1 essentially appear as a multi-colored concentric ring-shaped light spot. Figure 12 As can be seen, after the outgoing light J2 is mixed by the optical fiber 20 and then diffused and homogenized by the second light diffuser 38, it forms the illumination beam J. The light spot of the illumination beam J has become a relatively uniform white light, in which there is no obviously visible red, green, or blue light. The homogenization and mixing effect of the second light diffuser 38 on the outgoing light J2 is very significant.

[0062] In this example, the diffusion angle of the second light diffuser 38 is greater than or equal to 5 degrees. Since the second light diffuser 38 is located at the end of the light beam of the light source device 100 in this embodiment, a diffuser with a larger diffusion angle can be selected to achieve a better diffusion and uniform light effect. As another example, at least one light diffuser 30 may simultaneously contain a first light diffuser 36 and a second light diffuser 38, wherein the first light diffuser 36 is disposed at the coupling end 210 of the optical fiber 20, and the second light diffuser 38 is disposed at the coupling end 230 of the optical fiber 20. For details, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated in this specification.

[0063] Please see Figure 13 The light diffuser 30 may include a substrate 32 and a plurality of light-transmitting particles 34.

[0064] The substrate 32 of the light diffuser 30 is generally plate-shaped or sheet-shaped, which can be used to enhance light transmittance. The substrate 32 can be a transparent synthetic resin plate or a transparent synthetic resin sheet. The transparent synthetic resin can be made from at least one of the following materials: polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyolefin, cellulose acetate, weather-resistant vinyl chloride, etc. For example, polyethylene terephthalate has better light transmittance and relatively higher strength, so the substrate 32 in this embodiment can be a polyethylene terephthalate sheet.

[0065] The thickness of substrate 32 ranges from 10 μm to 188 μm (inclusive of endpoints). Due to manufacturing tolerances, it should be understood that the aforementioned thickness of substrate 32 refers to the average thickness of the plate-like or sheet-like structure of substrate 32. As an example, the average thickness of substrate 32 ranges from 20 μm to 141 μm (inclusive of endpoints). By setting an appropriate thickness range, avoiding excessively thin substrate 32 facilitates the coating of light-transmitting microparticles 34 and prevents edge curling or scrapping during production. Simultaneously, a substrate 32 meeting the aforementioned thickness range avoids light loss due to excessive thickness, ensuring high light efficiency.

[0066] Multiple light-transmitting particles 34 are uniformly distributed on the surface of the substrate 32. When a light beam penetrates the substrate 32 and the light-transmitting particles 34, it can propagate within the light diffuser 30 under the action of the light-transmitting particles 34, thereby achieving diffusion. This results in a light spot formed by the light beam without clearly distinguishable bright or dark spots or obvious partitions. It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the "uniform distribution" of the light-transmitting particles 34 should be interpreted broadly and not merely as "absolute mathematical uniformity." Rather, it should be understood as the absence of significant macroscopic aggregation of the multiple light-transmitting particles 34 on the surface or volume of the substrate 32. Their distribution should allow for minor microscopic or statistical fluctuations, and should acknowledge and allow for inherent and unavoidable minor non-uniformities in the manufacturing process. As an example, the distribution density variation of the light-transmitting particles 34 on the surface of the substrate 32 does not exceed ±20% of the average density. The "uniform distribution" of the light-transmitting particles 34 means that, macroscopically, the intensity distribution of the light emitted through the light diffuser 30 is uniform, with no visible differences in brightness.

[0067] In some embodiments of this application, the light-transmitting particles 34 can be applied to the surface of the substrate 32 using a coating process, giving the surface of the light diffuser 30 a frosted finish. In some applications, this frosted surface can be observed using a high-powered microscope, revealing its texture and the size distribution and arrangement of the light-transmitting particles 34. Under such observation, the multiple light-transmitting particles 34 show no significant macroscopic aggregation on the surface or within the volume of the substrate 32, and their distribution allows for minor microscopic or statistical fluctuations. The "uniform distribution" of the light-transmitting particles 34 can be functionally reflected in the uniform brightness and chromaticity of the final light spot under specific observation conditions, without any visible bright or dark stripes, graininess, or color spots. As an example, the light-transmitting particles 34 can be mixed with an adhesive, coated onto the substrate 32, and cured. The light-transmitting particles 34 are generally uniformly and densely distributed on the surface of the substrate 32, for example, on the light-emitting side of the substrate 32. Therefore, the light-transmitting particles 34 can uniformly diffuse light transmitted through the interior of the substrate 32. In addition, since the light-transmitting particles 34 are uniformly laid on the surface of the substrate 32, the light-transmitting particles 34 form fine protrusions and depressions that are basically uniform and dense on the side away from the substrate 32. These protrusions and depressions can form microlens structures. Through the refraction of these concave or convex microlenses, the overall light diffusion effect of the light diffuser 30 can be improved.

[0068] In some embodiments of this application, the light-transmitting microparticles 34 can be transparent resin particles, specifically shaped as spherical particles, ellipsoidal particles, etc. The light-transmitting microparticles 34 can be made from at least one of the following materials: acrylic resin, acrylonitrile resin, urethane resin, vinyl chloride resin, styrene resin, polyamide, silicone resin, fluoropolymer resin, etc. As an example, the light-transmitting microparticles 34 can be acrylic resin spherical particles or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles to ensure better light transmittance.

[0069] In some embodiments of this application, a plurality of light-transmitting particles 34 are substantially uniformly distributed on the surface of the substrate 32, and the plurality of light-transmitting particles 34 can be arranged at intervals to form a dispersed particle array. The plurality of light-transmitting particles 34 are coated on the substrate 32, which can be a single layer coating or a multi-layer coating. The outer diameter of the plurality of light-transmitting particles 34 ranges from 1.5 μm to 5 μm (including the endpoints). The outer diameter of the light-transmitting particles 34 can be set to be relatively small, which is beneficial to ensure that they have a better light diffusion effect. Specifically, under the same diffusion angle, the smaller the size of the light-transmitting particles 34 of the light diffuser 30, the more uniform the particle arrangement, the more uniform the light beam diffusion effect, and the more uniform and delicate the light beam diffusion effect. As an example, the outer diameter of the light-transmitting particles 34 can be 1.5 μm, 1.8 μm, 2.0 μm, 2.5 μm, 3.0 μm, 3.5 μm, 4.0 μm, 4.5 μm, etc. By setting an appropriate outer diameter of the light-transmitting particles 34, it is possible to ensure that the microlens formed by the light-transmitting particles 34 has a certain degree of concavity and convexity to meet the requirements for light diffusion. However, the outer diameter of the light-transmitting particles 34 should meet the above-mentioned range to avoid being set too large, thereby ensuring uniform coating.

[0070] The variation coefficient of the outer diameter distribution of the multiple light-transmitting particles 34 can be less than or equal to 20%, for example, less than or equal to 10%. As an example, more than 90% of the light-transmitting particles 34 have a particle size falling within ±20% of their average particle size. In this embodiment, the variation coefficient of the particle size distribution of the light-transmitting particles 34 is set within the above range, which can minimize the size difference between the multiple light-transmitting particles 34 and ensure that the light diffuser 30 has better light diffusion performance. As a specific example, the outer diameter and shape of the multiple light-transmitting particles 34 are basically the same, avoiding the phenomenon of uneven optical performance caused by abnormal concentration of excessively large or small particles.

[0071] Please see Figure 14In this embodiment, multiple light-transmitting particles 34 are distributed in an array on the surface of the substrate 32. As an example, the surface of the substrate 32 can be divided into multiple unit regions 321, and the multiple light-transmitting particles 34 are distributed in multiple unit regions 321. The difference in the distribution density of the light-transmitting particles 34 in the multiple unit regions 321 is less than or equal to 20%, for example, the difference is less than or equal to 10%. By setting multiple light-transmitting particles 34 in an array, compared with the randomly distributed scattering particles in the conventional technology, the light diffuser 30 of this application can use the microlenses equivalent to the light-transmitting particles 34 to achieve the segmentation, deflection and precise control of light waves, and finally achieve a relatively uniform "flat-top" output light spot. Therefore, the arrangement structure of multiple light-transmitting particles 34 in this embodiment brings many advantages such as high uniformity, high transmittance and controllable light spot shape. It should be understood that the above-mentioned "difference between distribution densities" is measured as a ratio. For example, if the distribution density of light-transmitting particles 34 in one unit region 321 is A and the distribution density of light-transmitting particles 34 in another unit region 321 is B, then the ratio of the difference between the two distribution densities can be the ratio (AB) / A%, or the ratio (AB) / B.

[0072] As an example, each unit region 321 constitutes an arrangement period of the light-transmitting particles 34. Multiple light-transmitting particles 34 within each unit region 321 are arranged in an N*M array. These multiple unit regions 321 are arranged in an array on the surface of the substrate 32, where N≥1, M≥1, and N and M are positive integers. Therefore, multiple unit regions 321 are also arranged in a periodic structure on the surface of the substrate 32, for example, in a P*Q array, where P≥1, Q≥1, and P and Q are positive integers. By using an arrangement with a larger structural period, brightness and color uniformity problems caused by beam interference can be effectively avoided. Simultaneously, each sub-period of the arrangement formed by the unit region 321 contains multiple light-transmitting particles 34, ensuring high brightness uniformity within each sub-period and effectively suppressing laser speckle, thereby improving the uniform light distribution effect of the light diffuser 30.

[0073] As another example, please refer to Figure 15Each unit region 321 is divided into multiple arrayed sub-regions 3211. Each sub-region 3211 contains at least one first sub-region 3212 and one second sub-region 3213. The first sub-region 3212 is essentially empty, containing no light-transmitting particles 34 (or only an adhesive without light-transmitting particles). The second sub-region 3213 contains light-transmitting particles 34, and may contain one or more arrayed light-transmitting particles 34. In two adjacent unit regions 321, the first sub-regions 3212 are adjacent to each other, and the second sub-regions 3213 are adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the completely repetitive cycle of multiple unit regions 321 can be broken to a certain extent, thereby avoiding diffused and homogenized light spots, thus improving the effect of diffused and homogenized light, and resulting in better uniformity of the light spots. Furthermore, in this example, the light-transmitting particles 34 in the second sub-region 3213 can be composed of microlenses. For example, the light-transmitting particles 34 may include concave lenses and / or convex lenses, and their formation can be achieved through photolithography. No light-transmitting particles 34 are provided in the first sub-region 3212, meaning the first sub-region 3212 is generally planar and contains neither concave nor convex lenses.

[0074] In summary, the light diffuser 30 provided in this embodiment, by setting a plurality of substantially uniformly distributed light-transmitting particles 34, can be equivalent to a substantially uniformly arranged microlens on the surface of the substrate 32, compared to the randomly distributed scattering particles in conventional technology. The light diffuser 30 can utilize the microlenses equivalent to the light-transmitting particles 34 to achieve segmentation, deflection, and precise control of light waves, ultimately achieving a relatively uniform "flat-top" output light spot. Therefore, the substantially uniform arrangement of the plurality of light-transmitting particles 34 in this embodiment provides better light diffusion and uniformity effects for the light beam. When applied in the light source device 100 or the laser device 200, it can significantly improve the optical performance and illumination effect of the illumination beam J.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the optical fiber 20 adopts the aforementioned diameter range. Compared to the 1mm to 3mm outer diameter of the light guide rod used in traditional light source devices, the diameter of the optical fiber 20 used as a light mixing and guiding device can be set to be smaller, thereby improving its light mixing effect and ensuring a smaller overall device size. Moreover, as a light mixing and guiding device, the aforementioned diameter limits the multiple reflections and crosstalk of the light source light J1 within the optical fiber 20 during its propagation, thus achieving light mixing. When the light source light J1 includes multiple beams of different colors, the light mixing effect is even more significant.

[0076] In this application specification, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will understand that hardware manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same component. The specification and claims do not distinguish components based on differences in name, but rather on differences in function. The term "comprising" throughout the specification and claims is an open-ended term and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; "generally" means that those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem within a certain margin of error and basically achieve the technical effect.

[0077] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the purpose of simplifying the description of this application 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 application.

[0078] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., 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 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 merely surface contact. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0079] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0080] 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 technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, 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. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A light source device, characterized in that, include: A laser module, including a laser unit for generating light from a light source; An optical fiber has an input end and an output end. The input end is located in the optical path of the light source. The light source propagates through the optical fiber and is emitted through the output end to form outgoing light. The diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 400 μm and less than or equal to 600 μm. as well as A light diffuser is disposed on the light propagation path formed by the light source and the emitted light.

2. The light source device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 400 μm and less than or equal to 500 μm, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 0.3 NA and less than or equal to 0.4 NA; or The diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 500 μm and less than or equal to 600 μm, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 0.2NA and less than or equal to 0.3NA.

3. The light source device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser module further includes a focusing unit, which is disposed between the laser unit and the optical fiber, and the coupling end is located at the focal point of the focusing unit.

4. The light source device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The focusing unit includes an aspherical lens, and the focal length of the aspherical lens is in the range of 9mm or less than 15mm.

5. The light source device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to the diameter of the light spot formed at the focal point of the light source in the focusing unit.

6. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The number of light diffusers is at least one, and at least one of the light diffusers is disposed at at least one of the coupling in end and the coupling out end.

7. The light source device according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one of the light diffusers includes a first light diffuser, which is disposed at the coupling end, and the diffusion angle of the first light diffuser is greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or equal to 4 degrees.

8. The light source device according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one of the light diffusers includes a second light diffuser, which is disposed at the coupling end, and the diffusion angle of the second light diffuser is greater than or equal to 5 degrees.

9. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The number of laser units is multiple, and the laser module also includes a beam combining unit. The multiple laser units are used to form multiple lasers respectively. The beam combining unit is disposed on the optical path of the multiple lasers to combine the multiple lasers to generate the light source light. The light spot formed by the light source light includes multiple concentric ring-shaped light spots.

10. A laser device, characterized in that, include: case; as well as The light source device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the light source device is disposed within the housing.

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