Femtosecond Fiber Laser Pulse Picking Without Optical Shutters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing femtosecond fiber laser systems face issues with increased size, power consumption, and low switching speed due to the use of optical shutter elements.
Innovation Solution
A femtosecond fiber laser system that omits the shutter plate and includes a femtosecond light source, pulse picker, main amplifier, and continuous wave light sources to prevent damage to the main amplifier during off times of pulsed laser light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an optical shutter element is used to switch femtosecond laser light into pulse train type, then the laser can be modulated to pulse trains, but the system size increases, power consumption increases, and switching speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical shutter element from the laser system entirely. Instead of using a shutter to switch between continuous wave and pulsed modes, the system uses a pulse picker that directly selects pulses from the continuous wave laser output, thereby eliminating the problematic shutter component while maintaining pulse train generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical shutter system with an electro-optic pulse picking mechanism. The pulse picker uses electro-optic modulators or acousto-optic modulators that are controlled by electrical signals, providing faster switching speeds and lower power consumption while maintaining the ability to generate pulsed laser output
2Adaptability or versatility
If an optical shutter element is used to switch femtosecond laser light, then pulse train modulation is achieved, but switching speed becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow mechanical/optical shutter with electro-optic or acousto-optic modulation devices that can switch at much higher speeds. These devices respond to electrical signals and can modulate the laser output in nanosecond or picosecond ranges, dramatically improving switching speed while maintaining pulse train generation capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If an optical shutter element is used for laser switching, then pulse modulation is possible, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the optical shutter element that consumes excessive power. The replacement pulse picking mechanism uses electro-optic or acousto-optic modulators that require significantly less power to operate, thereby reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining pulse modulation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous wave laser serves dual purposes: it provides both the pump source for amplification and the source of pulses for the pulse picker. This eliminates the need for separate high-power switching mechanisms, as the system uses the existing laser output in a more efficient configuration
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 system effectively reduces the size and power consumption of the laser system while enhancing switching speed by eliminating the need for an optical shutter element and using continuous wave light sources to protect the main amplifier.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse width stretcher provided between the femtosecond light source and the preamplifier and configured to extend a pulse width of the femtosecond laser light
Implementation Method 2
a preamplifier provided between the femtosecond light source and the pulse picker, and configured to amplify the femtosecond laser light
Implementation Method 3
a pulse picker connected to the femtosecond light source and configured to modulate the femtosecond laser light to generate pulsed laser light
Implementation Method 4
a main amplifier connected to the pulse picker and configured to amplify the pulsed laser light
Implementation Method 5
a pulse width compressor connected to the main amplifier and configured to compress a pulse width of the pulsed laser light
Implementation Method 6
a blocking plate disposed between the second grating and the mirror and provided in an edge of the pulsed laser light to block the first continuous wave laser light
Implementation Method 7
a polarization plate provided between the main amplifier and the pulse width compressor and configured to block the first continuous wave laser light
Implementation Method 8
a first grating provided adjacent to the output mirror and configured to diffract the pulsed laser light and the first continuous wave laser light; a second grating provided adjacent to the first grating and configured to diffract again the pulsed laser light and the first continuous wave laser light
Implementation Method 9
a mirror provided adjacent to the second grating and configured to reflect the pulsed laser light to the second grating
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a femtosecond fiber laser system including a femtosecond light source configured to generate femtosecond laser light, a pulse picker connected to the femtosecond light source and configured to modulate the femtosecond laser light to generate pulsed laser light, a main amplifier connected to the pulse picker and configured to amplify the pulsed laser light, and a first continuous wave light source connected to the main amplifier and configured to provide first continuous wave laser light to the main amplifier.