Infrared Laser Waveguide Combiner for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared laser systems face challenges in scaling power and wavelength while maintaining spatial homogeneity and divergence, particularly in the mid-infrared and long-wave infrared ranges, due to sensitivity to thermal and vibrational changes and increased complexity with mechanically aligned optical elements.

Innovation Solution

A laser source system that combines multiple infrared laser sources using an optical waveguide-based combiner, allowing for scalable power and wavelength capabilities with reduced thermal and vibrational stabilization requirements, utilizing chalcogenide fibers and planar waveguides to achieve a single, spatially combined laser beam with a common aperture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanically aligned optical elements are used to combine infrared laser beams, then spatial combination of laser beams is achieved, but the system becomes sensitive to thermal and vibrational changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepointing stabilityVSAvoidthermal and vibration management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system (multiple optical elements mounted on a base plate requiring mechanical alignment) with an integrated optical waveguide system where light propagation is confined by refractive index differences. This substitution eliminates the mechanical alignment sensitivity to thermal and vibrational changes while achieving the same beam combination function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple separate optical elements into a single integrated optical waveguide structure. Instead of having multiple discrete optical components that require individual alignment, the waveguide combines all light paths into one unified structure, reducing the number of alignment-critical interfaces and simplifying thermal and vibration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple optical elements are mechanically aligned to combine laser beams, then beam combination is achieved, but the system requires careful thermal management and mechanical vibration stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam combination stabilityVSAvoidthermal and vibrational sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical waveguide acts as an intermediary structure that guides and combines laser beams without requiring direct mechanical alignment between multiple optical elements. The waveguide's refractive index profile serves as the mediating mechanism that maintains beam combination stability independent of external thermal and vibrational disturbances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a system combines multiple infrared laser sources with different wavelengths, then spectral range is expanded, but maintaining spatial homogeneity and divergence becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral rangeVSAvoidspatial homogeneity and divergence control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in the optical waveguide's refractive index profile and physical dimensions to optimize light propagation for multiple wavelengths. By adjusting these parameters, the waveguide maintains spatial homogeneity and controlled divergence across a broad spectral range, enabling the system to handle both wavelength scaling and spatial quality requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a compact, scalable solution for infrared laser systems, reducing complexity and failure points by isolating laser emitter coupling from beam combining, enabling applications in spectroscopy, LIDAR, and free space communications with improved thermal and vibrational stability.

Implementation Method 1

Light travels in the core and is confined by the index difference between the core and cladding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal Internal Reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The material used for the optical combiner allows transmission of wavelength in the infrared range such as near-infrared, mid-infrared, and long-wave-infrared

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical Transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS8710470B2Wavelength and power scalable waveguiding-based infrared laser system

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

An infrared laser source system that combines laser emitters through an optical waveguide. Each emitter is coupled to a port of the optical waveguide and the waveguided signal is combined to provide a spatially combined laser source with a single common exit aperture. The materials used for waveguiding allow the propagation of wavelengths in the infrared. The system can be used for combining multiple laser emitters to increase the total output power and/or for combination of multiple emitters with different wavelength for increased spectral coverage out of the laser system.