Laser Indicator Light Configuration Using Wavelength Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser safety systems fail to provide a visible indicator light to operators wearing protective eyewear, as the indicator light is often at the same wavelength as the primary laser, preventing them from knowing if the laser is on unless they remove their protective eyewear.
Innovation Solution
Co-injecting indicator light at a wavelength different from the primary laser into the beam path using a source like a diode laser in the 670-690 nm range, combined with optical elements such as beam splitters or combiners, allowing the light to be visible even through protective eyewear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If leaked laser light is used as indicator light, then the indicator is visible and simple to implement, but the operator cannot see the indicator while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary laser wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the indicator light from the primary laser wavelength to a different wavelength (e.g., 670-690 nm for red diode laser indicator when primary laser is at a different wavelength). This allows the indicator to be visible through protective eyewear that is tuned to block only the primary laser wavelength while transmitting the indicator wavelength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam combiner as an intermediary optical element that merges the indicator light path with the primary laser beam path. This allows both beams to co-propagate through the same optical components and delivery fiber,实现ing space-efficient integration without requiring separate indicator light paths.
2Ease of operation
If a separate indicator light source at different wavelength is used, then the operator can see the indicator with protective eyewear, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the indicator light source and primary laser source into a common optical path using a beam combiner. Both light sources are coupled into the same delivery fiber through the combiner, which combines their beams without requiring separate delivery paths. This merging approach minimizes the increase in system complexity while achieving wavelength differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam combiner serves multiple functions: it combines the primary laser beam and indicator light beam into a single propagation path, allows both beams to share the same delivery fiber, and enables the system to provide both high-power laser delivery and visible indication through a unified optical architecture.
3Device complexity
If indicator light is merged into primary beam path, then space efficiency is improved, but optical interference between the two wavelengths must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by using wavelength-specific optical components at different locations in the optical path. The beam combiner is designed with specific spectral characteristics to reflect one wavelength while transmitting another, and the diffuser is positioned at a location where it can effectively scatter the indicator light without interfering with the primary laser beam's focus on the sample.
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 operators to safely determine if a laser is on while wearing protective eyewear by using a distinct wavelength for the indicator light, without requiring modifications to existing systems and at a low cost.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam
Implementation Method 2
the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam uses a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges
Implementation Method 3
enabling an operator to see the indicator light even wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary laser radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Indicator light apparatus and methods associated with a laser beam having a primary wavelength enable an operator to see the indicator while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary wavelength. The apparatus includes a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength, a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam, and an optical or physical configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam. The first optical element may be some form of beam splitter or combiner, and the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam uses a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges. The indicator light is preferably derived from an inexpensive source, such as a diode laser operating in the 670-690 nm range. The invention is useful in many different environments, including stimulate emission systems, wherein one or more optical elements are used to direct the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate an optical emission therefrom. The stimulated emission may be representative of a Raman or fluorescence spectrum, for example.