Fiber Beam Shaping With Refractive Index Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber-coupled laser systems require complex and costly mechanisms to adjust beam characteristics, often relying on free-space optics that increase complexity, cost, and reduce reliability, failing to provide optimal performance for diverse materials processing tasks.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fiber-based system with a first and second length of fiber having different refractive index profiles, where the optical beam is perturbed within the first length and maintained or modified within the second length's confinement regions to adjust beam characteristics such as spot size, divergence, and intensity distribution without relying on free-space optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optics or complex addon mechanisms (zoom lenses, mirrors, translatable lenses, combiners) are used to vary beam characteristics, then beam adjustability is improved, but device complexity, cost, and reliance on extra components increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam characteristics adjustment function from external free-space optics and complex addon mechanisms, and relocates it directly into the optical fiber itself through specialized refractive index profiles and confinement regions, eliminating the need for separate adjustment components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the beam delivery function and beam characteristics adjustment function into a single integrated fiber optic system, where the fiber itself performs both light transmission and dynamic beam shaping without requiring separate external components
2Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optics or complex addon mechanisms are used to adjust beam characteristics, then beam versatility is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive free-space optics and addon mechanisms from the system and replaces them with a cost-effective fiber-based solution that achieves the same beam adjustment functionality through integrated refractive index profiling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard optical fiber components with specialized refractive index profiles that are more economical than expensive free-space optics, making the system more affordable while maintaining adjustability capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optics are used to vary beam characteristics, then beam adjustability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to reduced robustness and up-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines beam delivery and beam adjustment functions into a single robust fiber-based system, eliminating multiple external components that could fail, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms (translatable lenses, motorized components, mirrors) with a non-mechanical fiber-optic solution that achieves beam adjustment through optical field manipulation, eliminating mechanical failure points
4Device complexity
If conventional laser systems with fixed beam characteristics are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but performance is compromised for different processing tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed beam characteristics of conventional lasers into dynamic, adjustable beam properties by implementing variable refractive index profiles and controllable confinement regions within the fiber, allowing optimization for different processing tasks while maintaining system simplicity
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 allows for adjustable beam characteristics that optimize laser processing tasks without the drawbacks of traditional systems, enhancing flexibility and reliability while reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
perturbing an optical beam propagating within a first length of fiber to adjust one or more beam characteristics of the optical beam
Implementation Method 2
coupling the perturbed optical beam into a second length of fiber and maintaining at least a portion of one or more adjusted beam characteristics within a second length of fiber having one or more confinement regions
Implementation Method 3
a first and second length of fiber having different refractive index profiles, where the optical beam is perturbed within the first length and maintained or modified within the second length's confinement regions
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for modifying an optical beam and adjusting one or more beam characteristics of an optical beam are provided. The system may include a first length of fiber operably coupled with an optical beam source and configured to receive an optical beam therefrom. The system may also include a perturbation device operably coupled with the first length of fiber and configured to modify the optical beam traversing therethrough, and a second length of fiber operably coupled with the first length of fiber and configured to receive the modified optical beam therefrom. The system may further include a beam shaping assembly configured to receive the modified optical beam from the second length of fiber, adjust one or more beam characteristics of the modified optical beam, and direct the adjusted optical beam to a downstream process.