Fiber Laser Gain Module Layout to Reduce Enclosure Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber lasers with multiple amplification optical fibers require a bulky enclosure due to separate module boxes, which increases the thickness and complicates maintenance, making it difficult to achieve a compact high-power laser output.
Innovation Solution
A fiber laser apparatus with multiple amplification optical fibers of different amplification characteristics, where at least one cooling plate is used to cool each fiber, and the cooling surfaces are arranged at different heights within a single module box, reducing the overall height and length of the optical fibers, thereby minimizing stimulated Raman scattering and allowing for a compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple amplification optical fibers are housed in separate module boxes, then each fiber is protected from scratches and dust, but the thickness of the enclosure increases and the structure becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate module boxes housing individual amplification optical fibers are merged into a single integrated module box. The patent combines multiple protection functions into one unified structure, reducing the overall enclosure thickness while maintaining protection against scratches and dust for all optical fibers through shared protective mechanisms and unified environmental control.
Solution Approach 2:
The single module box is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it houses multiple amplification optical fibers, provides unified thermal management through integrated cooling plates, maintains controlled environment for all fibers, and offers centralized protection against environmental damage. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate enclosures.
2Ease of repair
If multiple separate module boxes are used for amplification optical fibers, then maintenance of individual fibers is improved, but the overall device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple module boxes are merged into a single integrated module box that houses all amplification optical fibers together with unified cooling plates. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant structural elements while maintaining ease of maintenance through centralized access to all optical fibers and their cooling mechanisms within one enclosure.
3Reliability
If amplification optical fibers are housed in separate module boxes, then individual fiber protection is achieved, but the length of connecting optical fibers increases causing more stimulated Raman scattering
Solution Approach 1:
Separate module boxes are merged into a single integrated housing that contains all amplification optical fibers in close proximity. This dramatically reduces the length of connecting optical fibers needed to link the fibers, thereby minimizing the cumulative stimulated Raman scattering that occurs over long fiber lengths while maintaining protective environmental control for all fibers.
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 compact structure enables efficient cooling and reduced thickness of the module boxes, while minimizing the length of connecting optical fibers, thus enhancing the fiber laser's performance and maintaining high-power output without the bulkiness of separate module boxes.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling surface held in thermal contact with a first amplification optical fiber of the plurality of amplification optical fibers so as to be capable of cooling the first amplification optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber laser apparatus includes: amplification optical fibers including first and second amplification optical fibers, each of which having different amplification characteristics and including a core to which an active element is doped; one or more cooling plates having a first cooling surface that thermally contacts and cools the first amplification optical fiber and a second cooling surface that thermally contacts and cools the second amplification optical fiber; one or more module boxes including a gain module box that houses the amplification optical fibers and the one or more cooling plates; and an enclosure housing the one or module boxes. The first and second cooling surfaces are disposed at different heights in the gain module box. At least a portion of the first cooling surface overlaps at least a portion of the second cooling surface as viewed along a height direction.