Angle-Cleaved Fiber-Tip Coupler for kW Laser Beam Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensing systems for laser beam characteristics in fiber-optics face challenges such as perturbation of beam characteristics, power limitations, and difficulty in implementing high-power monitoring due to external light tapping and fiber-based light tapping methods, which are not suitable for kW-class fiber-optics systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber-tip-coupler (FTC) sensing systems that utilize a specially designed angle-cleaved endcap and multi-tap fibers to perform in-situ, non-perturbing measurement and control of laser beam characteristics, including power, polarization, and phase, without affecting the transmitted beam, and are capable of handling high-power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external light tapping or fiber-based light tapping methods are used for sensing, then laser beam characteristics can be monitored, but the beam characteristics are perturbed and high-power monitoring is difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing system that uses a separate optical path through the fiber tip to monitor beam characteristics without directly interacting with the main laser beam. This intermediary approach allows measurement while avoiding perturbation of the primary beam, resolving the contradiction between monitoring capability and beam integrity.
2Power
If conventional sensing systems are used, then some monitoring capability is achieved, but they are not suitable for kW-class fiber-optics systems due to power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sensing system to accommodate high-power environments. By designing the sensing mechanism to operate through the fiber tip rather than direct beam interaction, the system can handle kW-class powers while maintaining reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between power handling capability and system reliability.
3Ease of operation
If fiber-based sensing is implemented, then in-situ measurement is possible, but insertion loss increases and beam quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the main beam path and implements it through the fiber tip structure itself. This extraction allows in-situ measurement capability while minimizing interaction with the main beam, thereby reducing insertion loss and maintaining beam quality despite the added sensing functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The FTC system enables low insertion loss, real-time monitoring and control of laser beam characteristics, effectively stabilizing power, eliminating high-order modes, and maintaining desired polarization states, even in high-power fiber systems, thus preventing catastrophic events and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
utilize a specially designed angle-cleaved endcap and multi-tap fibers to perform in-situ, non-perturbing measurement and control of laser beam characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing method for in-situ non-perturbing measurement of characteristics of laser beams at the exit of the laser beam delivery fiber tips include measuring power of a laser beam transmitted through delivery fiber tip in fiber-optics systems. A sensing devices for in-situ non-perturbing sensing and control of multiple characteristics of laser light transmitted through light delivery fiber tips includes a fiber-tip coupler comprised of a shell with enclosed delivery fiber having a specially designed angle-cleaved endcap and one or several tap fibers that are specially arranged and assembled at back side of the endcap and other variations. Methods and system architectures for in-situ non-perturbing control of characteristics of laser beams at the exit of the laser beam delivery fiber tips include fiber-tip couplers and sensing modules that receive laser light from tap fibers, and systems for optical processing to enhance light characteristics suitable for in-situ measurement.