Laser Processing Device with Segmented Excitation Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser marking devices face limitations in achieving high-power laser processing while maintaining the longevity of excitation light sources due to heat generation and poor radiation performance of existing light sources.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing device design that includes a plurality of light sources with single light emitting spots arranged in a dispersed manner, using a light collection optical mechanism to transmit excitation light through an optical medium, separating it into two paths to excite different laser media, preventing thermal lens effects and enhancing output power while maintaining the longevity of light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of emitters in the LD array is increased to achieve higher output power, then the output power of excitation light source increases, but heat generation increases and life duration of the LD array becomes shorter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the excitation light source into multiple independent LDs (laser diodes) instead of using a single LD array with many adjacent emitters. Each LD is spaced apart from others, segmenting the heat generation sources. This allows each LD to operate at lower power with better heat dissipation, extending their operational life while collectively providing the required total excitation power through optical combining.
2Power
If the density and number of emitters in the LD array are increased to achieve higher output power, then the output power of excitation light source increases, but radiation performance deteriorates and heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the excitation light sources into multiple spatially separated LDs rather than densely packing emitters in an array. This segmentation improves radiation performance and heat dissipation for each individual LD, reducing temperature rise and heat generation issues while achieving the required total power output through optical combination of multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an optical combining mechanism (such as a combining prism or optical fiber array) as an intermediary to merge the excitation light from multiple spatially separated LDs into a single high-power beam. This intermediary allows the system to achieve high total power output without requiring the LDs to be densely packed, thus avoiding heat generation and radiation performance deterioration.
3Power
If an amplifier is added after the oscillator to achieve higher output power, then the laser light output power increases, but the complexity of the system increases and more excitation light sources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple LD excitation sources into a unified optical combining system that feeds into a single oscillator-amplifier laser system. Instead of having separate oscillator-amplifier systems for each LD, the excitation light from multiple LDs is combined and used to pump a single laser medium, reducing system complexity while achieving high total output power through the combined excitation capability.
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 high-power laser processing with extended life duration of light sources by effectively transmitting and amplifying excitation light, reducing heat-related issues and improving the assembly and layout of components.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation light transmission medium having one end and the other end, and configured to transmit the excitation light emitted from the excitation light generating unit from the one end to the other end
Implementation Method 2
an excitation light separator configured to separate the excitation light emitted from the other end of the excitation light transmission medium into first excitation light and second excitation light
Implementation Method 3
an oscillator having a first laser medium excited by the first excitation light separated by the excitation light separator, the oscillator configured to emit, as the laser light, induced emission light generated in the first laser medium
Implementation Method 4
an amplifier having a second laser medium excited by the second excitation light separated by the excitation light separator, the amplifier configured to amplify the laser light emitted from the oscillator by the second laser medium
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a laser processing device capable of performing high-power laser processing while preventing reduction of life duration of a light source for excitation light. By collecting the light emitted from single emitters of a plurality of single emitter LDs onto one end face of an optical fiber cable, high-power excitation light is transmitted to a marking head through the optical fiber cable. Excitation light emitted from the other end face of the optical fiber cable is separated into first excitation light and second excitation light. The first excitation light excites a first laser medium to generate laser light. The generated laser light enters a second laser medium. The second excitation light enters the second laser medium. With this, the second laser medium is excited, and the laser light that has entered the second laser medium from the first laser medium is amplified.