Solid Laser Amplifier Microchannel Cooling for Temperature Uniformity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The temperature distribution of the laser medium in solid laser amplification devices becomes nonuniform due to heating from laser light, leading to decreased performance, and existing direct cooling methods like liquid nitrogen injection struggle to control this nonuniformity effectively.

Innovation Solution

A solid laser amplification device with a microchannel type cooling system featuring cooling pipelines arranged parallel to the amplification layer's surface, where cooling solvent flows perpendicular to the surface, and a thermally conductive part for efficient heat transfer, helps to suppress temperature gradients and achieve uniform cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If direct cooling by liquid nitrogen injection is used, then cooling effect is achieved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels (first cooling channel and second cooling channel) that can be controlled separately. This allows different cooling rates to be applied to different regions of the laser medium, enabling uniform temperature distribution while maintaining effective cooling. The segmentation of cooling control is the key to resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cooling rates are applied to different regions of the laser medium through the first and second cooling channels. The cooling rate in the first cooling channel is set higher than in the second cooling channel, creating a local quality difference in cooling intensity. This local differentiation of cooling quality allows the system to achieve both effective cooling and uniform temperature distribution by compensating for the natural temperature gradient in the laser medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If cooling rate is increased to suppress temperature nonuniformity, then temperature distribution uniformity improves, but cooling control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidcooling control difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling control is segmented into two independent channels with different cooling rates. This segmentation simplifies the control problem by dividing it into two manageable control variables rather than requiring complex spatially-resolved control. The first cooling channel operates at a higher rate to counteract the primary temperature gradient, while the second channel operates at a lower rate to maintain overall temperature uniformity, making the control system easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling rate parameter is changed and differentiated between the first and second cooling channels. By setting the cooling rate in the first cooling channel to be higher than in the second cooling channel, the system creates a parameter difference that directly addresses the temperature nonuniformity. This parameter change approach transforms a complex control problem into a straightforward parameter adjustment task.

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

This configuration effectively suppresses temperature nonuniformity in the laser medium, enhancing the performance of the laser light by ensuring uniform cooling without the challenges of direct cooling methods.

Implementation Method 1

a microchannel type cooling part which has a plurality of cooling pipelines, through which a cooling solvent passes... and cools the amplification layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

through which the cooling solvent from the first pipeline flows... in the second pipeline which extends in a direction away from the cooling surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a thermally conductive part which is provided in contact with the amplification layer and the cooling surface between the amplification layer and the cooling surface and transfers heat of the amplification layer to the cooling part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3300189B1Solid laser amplification device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3300189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3300189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This solid laser amplification device (10) has: a laser medium part (20) that has a solid medium (22), into which a laser light (L) enters from an entrance part (26) and from which the laser light (L) is emitted to the outside from an exit part (27), and an amplification layer (24), which is provided on the surface of the medium (22), receives the laser light (L) in the medium (22), and amplifies and reflects said light toward the exit part (27); and a microchannel cooling part (30) that has a plurality of cooling pipelines, into which a cooling solvent is conducted and which are arranged in a direction that is parallel to the surface (25) of the amplification layer (24), and a cooling surface (35), which is provided at the outer periphery of the cooling pipelines and is attached on the surface (25) of the amplification layer (24), said microchannel cooling part (30) cooling the amplification layer (24). The closer the position at which the cooling pipeline is provided is to a position facing a section of the amplification layer (24) that receives the laser light (L), the greater the cooling force exhibited by the cooling part (30).