Integrated Cooling for Semiconductor Laser Pulse Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
High average power diode pumped lasers require significant electrical input power, leading to challenges in precise current regulation due to the inefficiency of diode lasers, which results in complex and costly power conditioning electronics.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a semiconductor laser pump module with a pulse generator and a common cooling structure for both the laser pumps and drive electronics, reducing system size and cost by utilizing the existing cooling system for the diode laser tile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling systems are used for diode laser pumps and power electronics, then each component can be cooled independently, but the system size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling of diode laser pumps and power electronics into a single integrated cooling system. The heat sink structure includes a first portion thermally coupled to the diode laser pump array and a second portion thermally coupled to the power electronics, allowing both components to share common cooling resources and thermal management infrastructure, thereby reducing system size while maintaining reliable cooling for both components.
2Device complexity
If integrated cooling is implemented for both diode laser pumps and power electronics, then system size is reduced, but thermal interference between components may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is segmented into distinct portions: a first portion for cooling the diode laser pump array and a second portion for cooling the power electronics. This segmentation allows independent thermal management zones within the integrated structure, reducing thermal interference between the two components while maintaining the space-saving benefits of integration.
3Power
If high current is used to drive diode laser pumps for high optical power output, then optical power increases, but precise current regulation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a current regulator as an intermediary component between the power source and the diode laser pump array. This current regulator provides precise current control despite the high current levels required for high optical power output, enabling accurate regulation through an intermediate control stage that manages the high current flow.
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 integration reduces system size and cost by more than an order of magnitude, enhances reliability, and eliminates thermal constraints on duty cycle limitations, enabling efficient operation of high power diode laser systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling structure thermally coupled to the diode laser tile and the electrical pulse generator
Data Source
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AI summary
A semiconductor laser system includes a diode laser tile. The diode laser tile includes a mounting fixture having a first side and a second side opposing the first side and an array of semiconductor laser pumps coupled to the first side of the mounting fixture. The semiconductor laser system also includes an electrical pulse generator thermally coupled to the diode bar and a cooling member thermally coupled to the diode bar and the electrical pulse generator.