Fiber Laser Wavelength Tuning via Chirped Pulse Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wavelength-tunable femtosecond optical pulse systems face power loss when modulating input power, which affects the generation of soliton pulses and their wavelength shifting.

Innovation Solution

A fiber laser system that includes a seed laser, a dispersion controller to generate chirped pulses, and an optical waveguide with anomalous dispersion, allowing soliton self-frequency shifts without altering pulse energy by controlling the shape of the input pulses through chirping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the input power of the pulse laser is modulated to shift the wavelength of soliton pulses, then the wavelength tuning is achieved, but power loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength tuningVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the input parameters from power modulation to chirp amount modulation. By varying the chirp amount applied to the input pulse while keeping the input power constant, the soliton self-frequency shift is controlled, achieving wavelength tuning without the power loss associated with traditional power modulation methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a dispersion controller as an intermediary device between the pulse laser and the optical fiber. This controller applies chirp to the input pulse, mediating the wavelength tuning process without requiring direct power modulation, thus avoiding the associated power loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient wavelength tuning of output pulses by varying the length of the non-linear effect period within the optical waveguide, maintaining pulse energy and reducing power loss, thus enhancing energy utilization.

Implementation Method 1

an optical waveguide, having a characteristic of anomalous dispersion, configured to cause soliton self-frequency shifts while the chirped pulses propagating so that each center wavelength of a pulse which output from the optical waveguide is different from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoliton self-frequency shift: Soliton

Implementation Method 2

an optical waveguide, having a characteristic of anomalous dispersion, configured to cause soliton self-frequency shifts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnomalous dispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

a controller configured to receive the plurality of the optical pulses and obtain chirped pulses, each chirped pulse having a chirping amount different from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChirping:

Data Source

PatentUS9172206B2Fiber laser system

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 CANON KK

AI summary

A laser system includes a seed laser configured to generate a plurality of optical pulses; a controller configured to receive the plurality of the optical pulses and obtain chirped pulses, each chirped pulse having a chirping amount different from each other; an optical waveguide, having a characteristic of anomalous dispersion, configured to cause soliton self-frequency shifts while the chirped pulses propagating so that each center wavelength of a pulse which output from the optical waveguide is different from each other.