Fiber Wedge Inlet for Diode Laser Beam Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-optic solutions for diode lasers are complex, costly, and suffer from beam quality losses due to the need for precise manufacturing and alignment of optical fibers, particularly when using round fibers with asymmetric emission profiles.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-optic apparatus with optical fibers hot-fused to form a wedge-shaped inlet surface, directly associated with diode laser emitters, eliminating the need for additional beamforming elements and minimizing power losses by matching the fiber cross-section to the emitter geometry, thus maintaining beam quality with reduced technical effort and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If round optical fibers are used with asymmetric emitter geometry, then the fiber arrangement is simple, but beam quality is significantly degraded due to mismatch between fiber diameter and emitter dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using rectangular optical fibers instead of round fibers to match the asymmetric geometry of the diode laser emitter. The rectangular fiber cross-section (with dimensions approximately 30-50 μm in one direction and larger in the other) corresponds to the emitter's dimensions (about 1 μm × 150 μm), thereby maintaining beam quality in both fast and slow axes while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
2Manufacturing precision
If one optical fiber per emitter is used, then each emitter is individually coupled, but the complexity and cost increase significantly due to the need for precise alignment and handling of multiple fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical fibers into a single rectangular fiber bundle that collectively receives light from multiple emitters. Instead of handling and aligning individual fibers for each emitter, a single rectangular fiber (or tightly bound bundle) is positioned to receive light from the emitter array, significantly reducing handling complexity while maintaining beam quality through the rectangular geometry match.
3Manufacturing precision
If rectangular optical fibers with matched dimensions are used, then beam quality is maintained, but the manufacturing effort and cost increase due to the specialized fiber shape requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber system into a rectangular cross-section configuration that naturally matches the emitter array geometry. By dividing the light collection function across multiple emitters that each couple to portions of the rectangular fiber, the system achieves beam quality maintenance without requiring complex specialized fiber manufacturing, as the rectangular shape can be formed by standard fiber bundling techniques.
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 apparatus achieves efficient beam symmetry with minimal power losses and reduced mechanical stress, enabling cost-effective production and flexible beam guidance while maintaining high beam quality, allowing for versatile beam shaping and application.
Implementation Method 1
said at least one optical fiber bundle having an input side wherein said optical fibers are hot-fused to one another under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-optic apparatus for receiving emitted radiation from a diode laser having at least one diode laser bar with a multiplicity of emitters which are arranged in at least one row alongside one another in the direction of their longitudinal axis. The fiber-optic apparatus has at least one optical fiber bundle that is associated with the diode laser bar and into which the laser beam is injected. Each emitter has a multiplicity of associated optical fibers. The optical fibers are hot-fused to one another under pressure and without regulation on the input side in order to form at least one fiber wedge with an inlet surface. The emitters of the diode laser bar are directly associated with at least one inlet surface in order to completely receive the laser light emitted from the diode laser bar.