Compact Optical Head for High-Pulse-Energy Fiber Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power laser systems face challenges in delivering short optical pulses with minimal nonlinear effects, particularly in high-power applications, due to fiber nonlinearity issues which lead to spectral broadening and reduced conversion efficiency, and existing solutions like CPA require complex components and large footprints.
Innovation Solution
A high power short optical pulse source comprising an optical signal source, a high power optical fiber amplifier located within a compact optical head, and pump light delivery fibers, utilizing rare-earth doped fibers and pump signal combiners to minimize nonlinear effects and enable efficient amplification and delivery of pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional optical fibers are used to deliver high-power laser beams, then fiber delivery enables remote positioning and compact optical head, but fiber nonlinearity causes spectral broadening and reduced conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the laser beam from the optical fiber at a remote location using a beam extraction optical system. The fiber delivers the beam to a proximity of the target, and then bulk optical elements extract and direct the beam to the final target position. This eliminates the need for the fiber to extend all the way to the target, reducing nonlinear effects while maintaining remote positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bulk optical elements (mirrors, beam steering optics) as intermediary components between the fiber output and the final target. These intermediaries enable precise beam positioning and extraction without requiring the fiber to maintain direct line-of-sight to the target, thereby reducing fiber length and nonlinear effects.
2Ease of operation
If bulk-optic beam steering is used to position laser beams in industrial applications, then precise beam positioning is achieved, but large footprint and complex mounting requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fiber delivery with compact bulk optical beam steering elements into an integrated optical head assembly. The fiber is positioned in proximity to the target, and compact mirrors/steering optics are integrated directly at the fiber output location, merging the benefits of fiber delivery with precise beam positioning in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by positioning the fiber in proximity to the target rather than requiring direct line-of-sight delivery. This dimensional change allows compact beam steering optics to be positioned close to the fiber output, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining positioning precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If single mode fiber is used to maintain good beam quality, then beam quality is improved, but efficient and stable launching into the small aperture becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mode field adapters or tapered fiber sections as preliminary action elements to gradually transform the beam mode from the single-mode fiber output to a larger mode that can be efficiently coupled into the extraction optics. This preliminary transformation improves launching efficiency while maintaining beam quality.
4Power
If high peak intensities are launched into fiber for short pulse applications, then pulse energy is increased, but fiber damage and nonlinear effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-power beam from the fiber at a remote location using beam extraction optics positioned in proximity to the target. This allows the fiber to handle high peak intensities only over a short distance, minimizing exposure time and reducing the risk of fiber damage and nonlinear effects while maintaining high pulse energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses short pulse durations to rush through the fiber delivery system quickly, minimizing the time exposure to high intensities. The short pulse width reduces cumulative thermal effects and nonlinear interactions while delivering high peak energy to the target.
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 solution allows for the delivery of high-energy, narrow spectral bandwidth pulses with reduced nonlinear effects, eliminating the need for complex CPA methods, resulting in a compact, robust, and cost-effective system that can position the optical head close to the target, reducing the need for bulky beam steering optics.
Implementation Method 1
high power optical fiber amplifier means having at least its optical output located within the optical head
Implementation Method 2
pump light delivery fibers arranged to deliver optical pump light to the high power optical fiber amplifier means
Implementation Method 3
an optical signal delivery fiber arranged to deliver optical pulses from the optical signal source to the high power optical fiber amplifier means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention can include an optical pulse source apparatus that includes the nonlinear generation of wavelengths, wherein the optical pulse source can comprise an oscillator for producing optical pulses, the optical pulses having a first wavelength; an optical fiber amplifier for amplifying optical pulses having the first wavelength; a nonlinear optical fiber receiving amplified optical pulses having the first wavelength to nonlinearly produce optical pulses that include wavelengths that are different than the first wavelength; and wherein the optical pulse source is configured so as to be operable to reduce the optical pulse frequency of the nonlinearly produced optical pulses.