Laser-Pumped Light Source Vertical Plasma Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-brightness light sources with laser pumping suffer from energy and spatial instability due to convective gas streams in the chamber, limiting their applications and requiring improved geometric configurations to optimize output parameters.
Innovation Solution
A light source design with a chamber configuration where the focused laser beam is directed from the bottom upwards, positioning the region of radiating plasma close to the upper wall to minimize convective effects, combined with an optical system for collecting plasma radiation and a feedback control system to maintain stability and power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the laser beam is directed horizontally or from top to bottom, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy and spatial stability of the light source deteriorates due to convective gas streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by inverting the conventional laser beam direction from horizontal or top-to-bottom to bottom-to-top vertical direction. This asymmetric configuration exploits natural convection patterns where hot plasma rises and creates a stable recirculation zone that anchors the radiating plasma region, thereby improving energy and spatial stability without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by directing the laser beam from the bottom upward rather than from the top downward or horizontally. This inversion creates a stable plasma configuration where the radiating region is positioned in the upper part of the chamber, taking advantage of natural convection currents to stabilize the plasma rather than fight against them
2Ease of operation
If the region of radiating plasma is positioned in the center of the chamber, then the ease of operation is improved, but the energy stability deteriorates due to strong convective effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific stable plasma configuration in the upper region of the chamber where convection effects are more favorable. The radiating plasma region is localized in the upper part where natural convection creates a stabilizing effect, while the lower region handles the laser entry and initial plasma formation, giving different parts of the chamber different functional qualities
3Reliability
If the laser beam is directed from bottom upwards with plasma region close to upper wall, then the energy and spatial stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to optimized geometric configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry by implementing a vertical bottom-to-top laser beam configuration with the plasma region positioned closer to the upper wall. This asymmetric geometric arrangement creates stable convection patterns that anchor the plasma in place, improving spatial and energy stability. The increased complexity is minimal as it primarily involves adjusting the laser orientation and plasma positioning rather than adding complex mechanical components
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 configuration significantly increases the spatial and energy stability of the light source, enhancing its reliability and brightness while reducing power instability and extending its operational capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Optical discharge plasma in various gases, in particular, in xenon Xe, created by beam of a continuous wave laser at gas pressures of 10-20 atm.
Implementation Method 2
optical discharge plasma in various gases, in particular, in xenon Xe, created by beam of a continuous wave laser at gas pressures of 10-20 atm., is one of the highest-brightness sources of continuous radiation in the wide spectral range of 170-880 nm
Implementation Method 3
This is mostly related to the negative effect of convective streams of gas in the chamber on the region of radiating plasma and, correspondingly, on the energy and spatial stability of the light source with laser pumping
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device of light sources with laser pumping and to methods for generating radiation with a high level of luminosity in the UV and visible spectral ranges. The technical result of the inventions consists in extending the functional possibilities of a light source with laser pumping by virtue of increasing the spatial and energy stability thereof, increasing the degree of luminosity, and increasing the reliability of operation under long-term conditions whilst ensuring compactness of the device. The claimed result is achieved by virtue of the fact that a focused laser beam (7) is directed into a region of radiating plasma (5) from the bottom upwards: from the lower wall (10) of a chamber (1) to an upper wall (11) of the chamber (1) which is opposite said lower wall, and the region of radiating plasma (5) is arranged close to the upper wall (11) of the chamber (1). In particular situations where the invention is implemented, the focused laser beam is directed along a vertical axis (13) of symmetry of the walls (10, 11) of the chamber, the region of radiating plasma (5) is produced at an optimally small distance away from the upper wall (11) of the chamber (1) which does not have any negative impact on the life of the device, the chamber (1) is cooled with a flow (40) of protective gas directed towards the upper wall (11) of the chamber (1) and, with the aid of an automated control system (46, 47, 49), a set radiated power in a programmed mode is maintained.