Fiber Coupler Light Stripping Element Cladding Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic devices often experience performance degradation due to light being coupled into the cladding, leading to increased failure risk and localized heating, especially when the spot size of the optical signal exceeds the numerical aperture of the fiber optic device.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fiber coupler device with a light stripping element having a higher index of refraction than the cladding, positioned within a coupling chamber to strip light from the cladding, and a housing assembly to secure the coupler device to a laser, minimizing light entry into the cladding while maintaining signal propagation within the core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the spot size of the optical signal is made larger to increase power delivery, then the numerical aperture coverage is improved, but light couples into the cladding causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A light stripping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser source and the fiber optic device. This element has a specific refractive index that enables it to selectively couple light into the fiber core while preventing cladding coupling, thus resolving the contradiction between power delivery and system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index parameter of the light stripping element is specifically designed to be between that of the laser medium and the fiber cladding. By carefully controlling this parameter, the system achieves selective light coupling that prevents harmful cladding light while maintaining efficient core light transmission
2Power
If the spot size of the optical signal is increased to deliver higher power, then the energy delivery is improved, but localized heating occurs due to cladding light
Solution Approach 1:
The light stripping element acts as a mediator that selectively manages light paths. By its specific refractive index properties, it directs light into the fiber core where it belongs, preventing the harmful cladding light that causes localized heating, thus enabling high power delivery without thermal damage
3Power
If the numerical aperture of the fiber optic device is increased to accept larger spot sizes, then the power delivery capability is improved, but cladding coupling increases causing failure at splice locations
Solution Approach 1:
The light stripping element serves as a protective intermediary that prevents cladding light from reaching splice locations. By selectively coupling light into the core and blocking cladding modes, it protects the splice points from the harmful effects of high power delivery, thus improving reliability without sacrificing power capability
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
Effectively reduces light entry into the cladding, preventing performance degradation and failure, while ensuring efficient transmission of optical signals within the fiber core, even at high power levels.
Implementation Method 1
The cladding positioned about the core has a lower index of refraction than the core, thereby advancing the signal through the core via total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed to a various embodiments of a system for coupling at least one fiber optic device to a laser and include at least one fiber coupler device having a body defining at least one coupling chamber in communication an inlet and an outlet, the coupling chamber sized to receive at least one fiber optic device therein, at least one light stripping element positioned within the coupling chamber, and a housing assembly configured to couple the laser to the fiber coupler device.