Fiber Beam Delivery With Selectable Intensity Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber-coupled laser systems require complex and costly add-on mechanisms, such as free-space optics, to adjust beam characteristics, which leads to increased cost, complexity, and potential performance and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fiber structure that allows for the adjustment and maintenance of optical beam characteristics within the fiber itself, using perturbations such as bending or micro-bending, to achieve variable beam characteristics without the need for free-space optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optics or complex add-on mechanisms are used to adjust beam characteristics, then beam characteristics become variable and adaptable, but cost, device complexity, and reliability degradation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beam adjustment function directly into the optical fiber structure by integrating a perturbation element within the fiber. This merging eliminates the need for separate free-space optics and complex add-on mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining beam characteristics adjustability. The perturbation element is embedded within the fiber core or cladding, creating a unified structure that performs both light transmission and beam shaping functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the beam adjustment function from external complex optical systems and relocates it into the optical fiber itself. By taking out the adjustment mechanism from the external domain and embedding it within the fiber structure, the system eliminates the need for separate free-space optics, mirrors, and lenses, thereby reducing overall system complexity and improving reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optics or complex add-on mechanisms are used to adjust beam characteristics, then beam characteristics become variable and adaptable, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam adjustment functionality into the optical fiber manufacturing process itself. By integrating the perturbation element during fiber fabrication rather than adding it as a separate component, the system eliminates the need for expensive free-space optics and complex assemblies. This integration approach reduces material costs, assembly costs, and maintenance costs while maintaining full beam characteristics adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optics or complex add-on mechanisms are used to adjust beam characteristics, then beam characteristics become variable, but reliability degradation occurs due to reduced robustness or up-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment mechanism from external vulnerable components and embeds it within the protected fiber structure. By taking out the perturbation element from the external environment and placing it inside the fiber, the system protects it from contamination, misalignment, and mechanical damage, thereby improving reliability and robustness while maintaining beam characteristics adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-contained fiber structure where the perturbation element is integrated within the fiber and can be controlled through the fiber's existing infrastructure. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external alignment mechanisms and complex control systems, reducing potential failure points and improving overall system reliability and up-time.
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 solution enables the customization of beam characteristics for various materials processing tasks, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining or improving performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
using perturbations such as bending or micro-bending, to achieve variable beam characteristics without the need for free-space optics
Data Source
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Figure 7A
AI summary
An optical beam delivery device is configured to generate, from an optical beam, selectable intensity profiles. The device has a first length of fiber having a first refractive index profile (RIP), and a second length of fiber having second RIP that is different from the first RIP. The second length of fiber includes coaxial confinement regions arranged to confine at least a portion of an adjusted optical beam. The confined portion corresponds to an intensity distribution of different intensity distributions. The intensity distribution is established by a corresponding state of different states of perturbation that is applied to the device such that the confined portion is configured to provide, at an output of the second length of fiber, a selected intensity profile of the selectable intensity profiles.