Hollow Core Fiber Laser Marking for High-Energy UV and IR Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser marking systems face limitations in transmitting high-power ultraviolet and near-infrared radiation due to material degradation and low mechanical robustness of existing fibers, which restricts their use in high-energy applications and compact production lines.
Innovation Solution
A laser marking system utilizing a negative curvature hollow core fiber with a larger core diameter and anti-resonant cladding structure, made of chalcogenide or hydrogen-infused silica, to transmit high-energy pulses of infrared, near-infrared, and ultraviolet radiation, enhancing mechanical robustness and reducing bending losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fibers are used to transmit high-power ultraviolet and near-infrared radiation, then beam delivery is achieved, but material degradation occurs and mechanical robustness is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite fiber structure consisting of a hollow core surrounded by a photonic crystal cladding made of multiple layers of dielectric materials with different refractive indices. This composite structure enables the fiber to transmit high-power ultraviolet and near-infrared radiation without material degradation, as the photonic crystal cladding reflects the laser beam through constructive interference rather than relying on traditional reflective coatings that degrade under high energy exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical reflective coatings on fiber surfaces with a photonic crystal structure that uses optical interference effects to guide and reflect the laser beam. This substitution eliminates the need for physical coating layers that are susceptible to material degradation from high-power laser exposure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining beam transmission capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If hollow core fiber with small inner diameter is used for good beam quality, then beam quality improves, but power transmission loss increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of how reflection is achieved in the hollow core fiber. Instead of relying on the inner diameter size and traditional reflective coatings, the invention uses a photonic crystal cladding structure that creates constructive interference patterns to reflect the laser beam. This parameter change allows the fiber to maintain good beam quality while significantly reducing power transmission loss, as the photonic crystal structure is highly efficient at reflecting specific wavelengths without the exponential losses associated with small-diameter coated fibers.
3Productivity
If fixed laser markers are used in production systems, then marking capability is provided, but flexibility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the laser marking system by replacing fixed laser markers with a portable laser source connected to a marking head through the new hollow core photonic crystal fiber. The flexible fiber allows the marking head to be positioned and repositioned easily, enabling the system to adapt to different marking locations, angles, and production line configurations while maintaining full marking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the flexible hollow core photonic crystal fiber as a flexible transmission medium that allows the laser marking system to be dynamically reconfigured. The fiber's flexibility enables the marking head to reach various positions and angles on production lines, significantly improving system adaptability and versatility compared to fixed laser markers, while the fiber's protective structure maintains beam quality throughout the flexible connection.
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 system achieves improved transmission efficiency and flexibility, allowing for the use of high-energy pulses in compact production lines with reduced material degradation and increased mechanical robustness, enabling effective marking across various wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
a negative curvature hollow core fiber configured to transmit the laser beam from the laser to the marking head
Implementation Method 2
negative curvature hollow core fiber with a larger core diameter and anti-resonant cladding structure, made of chalcogenide or hydrogen-infused silica
Data Source
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AI summary
A laser marking system comprising a laser configured to produce a laser beam, a marking head configured to project the laser beam onto a target, and a negative curvature hollow core fiber configured to transmit the laser beam from the laser to the marking head.