Laser Diode Cooling Using Sub-Atmospheric Two-Phase Heat Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser diodes in high-energy applications face performance issues due to elevated operating temperatures resulting from inadequate heat management, which can lead to spectral drift and reduced efficiency, necessitating effective cooling solutions to maintain optimal operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A laser diode cooling system utilizing a combination of a cooling apparatus and a vacuum pump, along with a reservoir coupling hardware, employs a coolant at sub-atmospheric pressure to manage heat through two-phase cooling, allowing for efficient heat rejection and temperature control using high boiling point coolants like water, which can be replenished as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used for laser diodes, then heat can be removed, but the system size, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes two-phase cooling where the coolant transitions between liquid and vapor phases to absorb and remove heat from the laser diode. The coolant evaporates at the heat source absorbing latent heat, then condenses elsewhere releasing heat, enabling efficient heat removal with reduced system mass compared to conventional single-phase cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter of the coolant system to sub-atmospheric levels, which allows the use of high boiling point coolants like water to operate at lower temperatures. This parameter change enables the cooling system to achieve effective heat removal while reducing the overall system size and weight.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used for laser diodes, then heat can be removed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two-phase cooling system operates largely autonomously utilizing natural convection and phase change physics. The evaporated coolant naturally rises and condenses on cooler surfaces, with gravity returning the condensed liquid to the heat source area, reducing the need for complex pumps and control mechanisms while maintaining effective heat removal.
Solution Approach 2:
By leveraging the natural phase transition cycle of the coolant between liquid and vapor states, the system achieves self-regulating cooling behavior that simplifies control architecture compared to conventional systems requiring active temperature sensing and variable speed pump control.
3Temperature
If atmospheric pressure cooling is used, then cooling can be achieved, but spectral drift occurs due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates the coolant system at sub-atmospheric pressures, which lowers the saturation temperature of the coolant. This parameter change enables more precise temperature control of the laser diode, keeping it within the optimal operating range and minimizing spectral drift while maintaining effective heat removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-phase cooling mechanism provides superior temperature regulation compared to single-phase cooling. The latent heat absorption during phase change occurs at nearly constant temperature, providing inherent temperature stabilization that reduces spectral drift in the laser diode operation.
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 solution effectively maintains laser diodes within desired operating temperatures, enhancing performance by reducing size, weight, and power consumption, while minimizing spectral drift and thermal management challenges, thus improving the efficiency and practicality of high-energy laser systems.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum pump can be configured to keep the coolant at less than an atmospheric pressure of the laser diode set
Implementation Method 2
employs a coolant at sub-atmospheric pressure to manage heat through two-phase cooling
Implementation Method 3
The coolant passing through the laser diode cooling plate causes a laser diode set to cool
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments that pertain to cooling of a laser set are described. In one example, the lasers can be a set of laser diodes. A laser diode cooling system can create a vacuum environment that causes a coolant to be below atmospheric pressure. The coolant can be water supplied by an exchangeable tank. When the tank is empty, the tank can be replaced with a new tank.