Laser Fiber Tapering Device with Annular Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for joining and tapering optical fibers and cylindrical components face challenges such as contamination from filament deposits, short heating wire lifespan, inefficiency in energy input, and the need for different heating wire geometries for varying fiber diameters, limiting the processing of different workpiece sizes and lengths.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a first beam-shaping element to generate circular ring radiation and a second beam-shaping element to adjust the angle of incidence, allowing for homogeneous conical energy input and enabling the processing of various workpiece sizes and lengths with adjustable angles, including the use of reflex axicons, double axicons, and a plane mirror for flexible adjustment and observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermal radiation from heating wires or arcs is used for energy input, then the fiber can be heated for joining and tapering, but filament deposits or gas residues contaminate the optical fiber and the heating wire has short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermal radiation system (heating wires/filaments) with a laser-based optical system. The laser beam is shaped into a conical ring that directly irradiates the fiber, eliminating physical contact and filament contamination while maintaining effective heating for joining and tapering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam-shaping elements (axicons, cylindrical lenses) as intermediaries between the laser source and the fiber. These elements transform the laser beam into a conical ring pattern, enabling homogeneous energy distribution and precise control of the heating zone without direct filament-fiber contact.
2Use of energy by moving object
If larger and more powerful filaments are used for indirect heating, then heating efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases and different fiber diameters require different filament geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beam shaping where the laser parameters and optical element positions can be adjusted to adapt to different fiber diameters. The conical ring geometry allows flexible control of the heated zone size, enabling the same device to process various fiber dimensions without changing physical filaments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameters of the energy beam by shaping it into a conical ring with adjustable dimensions. By modifying the beam-shaping element configurations, the energy distribution and heated zone size can be optimized for different fiber diameters, providing universal processing capability.
3Device complexity
If the length of parts to be processed is limited by the scanner mirror position in the optical axis, then the device structure is simplified, but the processing capability for different lengths is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal processing system where the conical ring laser beam can accommodate various workpiece lengths and diameters through optical parameter adjustment rather than mechanical reconfiguration. The same device structure can process different optical components by changing beam-shaping parameters, achieving multi-functionality without increasing structural complexity.
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
Enables uniform, spatially limited partial melting for joining, tapering, polishing, or cleaning of optical components with improved process stability and reproducibility, accommodating a wide range of workpiece diameters and lengths without recalibration, and maintaining cleanliness by positioning the observation plane perpendicular to the workpiece axis.
Implementation Method 1
a homogeneous conical energy input is made available in a simple manner with selectable angles of incidence, whereby a homogeneous heat conduction after the absorption and thus a uniform, spatially very limited partial melting is possible
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for joining and tapering fibres or cylindrical optical components, comprising a retaining device for holding the fibres or the optical components in the processing position, a laser radiation source (1) for emitting a laser beam and beam forming elements for guiding the laser beam to the processing site. At least a first beam forming element (4) is inserted into the beam path of the laser radiation source for producing a radiation having the form of an annulus and another second beam forming element (14) is provided for specifying the angle of incidence of the radiation having the form of an annulus onto the fibre(s) or the optical components in the processing position.