Cladding Power Stripper Structure for Low Fiber Signal Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing cladding power strippers in fiber lasers result in high signal transmission loss and potential damage to the fiber core due to hydrofluoric acid etching, leading to inefficiencies and potential destruction of the fiber coating.
Innovation Solution
A novel manufacturing process involving physical polishing and chemical substance spraying is used to create a cladding power stripper with uneven surfaces that disrupt total internal reflection, utilizing laser processing and ammonium bifluoride etching to minimize core transmission loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrofluoric acid etching is used to reduce the thickness of the fiber cladding layer, then the cladding power stripping efficiency is improved, but the fiber core transmission loss increases and the fiber coating may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes only the fiber coating layer and selectively processes the cladding layer, leaving the fiber core intact. By taking out the coating layer first and then applying localized etching or roughening only to the cladding, the method achieves cladding power stripping without exposing the core to harmful chemicals or mechanical damage, thus resolving the contradiction between stripping efficiency and core transmission loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface treatments to different parts of the fiber structure. The cladding layer receives etching or roughening treatment to create light-scattering surfaces for effective power stripping, while the fiber core maintains its original smooth, intact structure to preserve low transmission loss. This localized differentiation of surface quality resolves the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If hydrofluoric acid etching is used to process the fiber cladding, then the cladding power stripping performance is improved, but the fiber coating layer may be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary removal of the fiber coating layer before applying any etching treatment to the cladding. By removing the coating layer first through mechanical means such as coating removal devices, the subsequent etching process is prevented from reaching and damaging the coating, thus protecting the fiber structure while achieving effective cladding power stripping.
3Productivity
If the fiber cladding layer thickness is reduced through etching, then the stripping efficiency is improved, but the signal transmission loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional chemical etching method with an alternative approach that uses mechanical coating removal followed by controlled surface treatment. This substitution allows for precise control of the cladding surface morphology without the uncontrolled chemical penetration that causes core damage and signal loss, thereby maintaining both high stripping efficiency and low transmission loss.
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 process achieves low signal transmission loss and high stripping efficiency, reducing insertion loss by 62 W in high-power systems, ensuring stable operation and prolonged component life.
Implementation Method 1
The uneven surface is gradually concave from both ends to the center and has a slightly trough-like appearance. The concave and convex surfaces are used to change the angle between the incident light of the fiber cladding layer and the boundary between the cladding and the outside part, so that the total reflection condition cannot be achieved
Implementation Method 2
hydrofluoric acid is used to etch the fiber. The purpose of the etching is to destroy the transmission path of light in the cladding and scatter it into the environment. Then ammonium fluoride is added to the hydrofluoric acid solution, ammonium fluoride is used to cause the surface of the optical fiber to become rough and uneven
Implementation Method 3
utilizing laser processing and ammonium bifluoride etching to minimize core transmission loss
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a manufacturing method and structure of a fiber component that provides low signal transmission loss and strips cladding power. Special processing is performed on the optical fiber, and then the residual pump source of different modes of the fiber cladding is stripped. This fiber optic component is often called cladding power stripper (CPS). The CPS is designed for high power fiber laser to dissipate cladding light and keep the signal power transmitted in the core. CPS device can efficiently strip cladding residual pump power while preserving minimal degradation of signal power and beam quality (M2). Furthermore, reflected signal power back into the inner cladding can be stripped out by CPS, and protected the other components in the fiber laser system.