Distributed Laser Architecture with Remote Optical Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser systems face challenges in achieving reduced weight, bulk, and power consumption while maintaining device performance, particularly in distributed architecture systems, due to limitations in transporting high-peak-power pulses and extended wavelength ranges through optical fibers, which results in transmission losses, bend losses, and damage to silica-based fibers.
Innovation Solution
A distributed laser system architecture that uses a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled with a remote optical converter, including a Ho:YAG laser and an optical parametric oscillator, to convert low-peak-power, continuous wave signals into higher-peak-power, longer-wavelength signals, allowing for remote location of the laser source and operation over a broad temperature range without active cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-peak-power pulses are transported through optical fibers, then laser output power is improved, but transmission losses and fiber damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The laser system is divided into two separate locations: a low-peak-power continuous wave laser source and a remote high-peak-power pulsed laser converter. This segmentation allows the optical fiber to transport only low-power signals, avoiding transmission losses and damage, while the high-power output is generated remotely where it is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical fiber acts as an intermediary medium to transport low-peak-power continuous wave signals from the laser source to the remote converter. The fiber is designed with specifications that prevent damage from the low-power input while enabling efficient transmission to the remote location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extended wavelength ranges are transported through optical fibers, then laser wavelength versatility is improved, but transmission losses and fiber damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in the optical fiber specifications to enable extended wavelength transmission. The fiber is selected or designed with properties that allow transmission of wavelengths beyond the standard range, and the remote converter is configured to generate specific extended wavelengths as needed.
3Weight of moving object
If distributed architecture components are used, then device weight and bulk are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-peak-power pulsed laser generation capability is extracted from the main laser source and placed in a remote converter. This allows the main laser system to be lightweight and compact, while the remote converter handles the complex high-power generation functions at a separate location.
4Reliability
If continuous device sealing is implemented, then device protection is improved, but weight, bulk, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed device is segmented into two parts: a sealed main laser source and a remote converter that may have different sealing requirements. This allows the main sealed unit to be compact and protected, while the remote converter can be designed separately to meet specific environmental requirements without adding weight to the main unit.
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
This approach enables the generation of high-peak-power, pulsed signals with extended wavelengths while minimizing weight, bulk, and power consumption, and increases the reliability and integrity of the output beam by reducing the number of optical components and eliminating the need for active cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a first laser configured to emit a first signal... the first laser comprises thulium (Tm)-doped fiber
Implementation Method 2
an optical fiber operatively coupling the first laser and the remote optical converter, wherein the optical fiber is configured to transport the first signal
Implementation Method 3
the second laser is Q-switched via an operatively coupled acousto-optic electro-optic switch, or passive Q-switch using a saturable absorbing medium
Implementation Method 4
the non-linear converter comprises an optical parametric oscillator configured to convert the second signal to a third signal of higher peak power and having a wavelength in the range of 2-5 μm or greater
Implementation Method 5
the non-linear converter comprises a harmonic generator configured to convert the second signal to a third signal of lower peak power and having a wavelength in the range of about 0.7-1.9 μm
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and architecture are disclosed for providing a laser system. In one specific example embodiment, the system includes a thulium-doped fiber laser coupled by silica glass fiber to a remote optical converter (ROC) including a Ho:YAG laser and, optionally, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) utilizing in germanium phosphide (ZnGeP2; ZGP) or orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OPGaAs). The fiber laser may emit a low-peak-power, continuous wave pump signal that pumps the Ho:YAG laser, which in turn emits a higher-peak-power, pulsed signal. When included, the OPO can be used to convert the resultant, pulsed signal to a longer wavelength (e.g., about 2-5 μm, or greater). In some cases, distributed architecture and reduced weight/bulk may be realized while eliminating the need to actively cool the ROC for operation, for example, over a broad temperature range (e.g., −55-125° C.). Also, methods of preparing high-peak-power, pulsed signals using such systems are disclosed.