Laser Machining Device Q-Switch Housing Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser machining devices face output decreases due to impurities adhering to optical components, particularly from the Q switch, which can emit vapors and lead to contamination of wavelength conversion elements, causing transmission and reflection losses.
Innovation Solution
The laser machining device is designed with a Q-switch housing section and a wavelength converting section that are airtightly sealed, with the wavelength conversion elements housed independently to prevent impurities from adhering, and temperature adjustment sections are provided externally to maintain optimal conditions for the wavelength conversion elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a Q switch with electric components (circuit board, wire) is used to pulse-oscillate laser light, then high-output laser light can be generated, but impurities are emitted to the air causing adhesion to optical components and output decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate housing sections: a Q-switch housing section containing the Q switch and laser medium, and a wavelength converting section containing the wavelength conversion elements. This segmentation isolates the impurity-generating Q switch from the optically sensitive wavelength conversion elements, preventing impurity adhesion while maintaining high-power laser generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The Q switch and its electric components are extracted from the wavelength conversion area and placed in a separate Q-switch housing section. This extraction removes the source of impurities from the vicinity of the optical components, eliminating the harmful effect of impurity emission on the wavelength conversion elements.
2Ease of operation
If wavelength conversion elements are exposed to air to maintain accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but impurities from the Q switch can adhere to them causing output decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength converting section is separated into an independent housing with its own internal space, isolated from the Q-switch housing section. This allows the wavelength conversion elements to be protected from impurities while still permitting access for operation and maintenance through designed interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed housing structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the Q switch (impurity source) and the wavelength conversion elements (sensitive components). This intermediary protection maintains both reliability by preventing impurity adhesion and ease of operation by allowing controlled access.
3Device complexity
If the Q switch and wavelength conversion elements are housed together to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but impurities adhere to optical components causing transmission and reflection losses
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is segmented into two distinct sections: the Q-switch housing section and the wavelength converting section. This segmentation prevents impurity contamination of optical components, eliminating transmission and reflection losses despite the increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of increased device complexity due to separate housing is converted into a benefit by preventing impurity-related energy losses. The segmented structure protects optical components, ensuring high transmission and reflection efficiency that compensates for the additional 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
This configuration effectively prevents impurities from adhering to the wavelength conversion elements, maintaining high laser light output and reducing the risk of output decreases.
Implementation Method 1
a first wavelength conversion element on which the fundamental wave generated by the laser medium is made incident, the first wavelength conversion element generating a second harmonic having a frequency higher than a frequency of the fundamental wave
Implementation Method 2
a second wavelength conversion element on which the second harmonic generated by the first wavelength conversion element is made incident, the second wavelength conversion element generating a third harmonic having a frequency higher than the frequency of the second harmonic
Implementation Method 3
a Q switch configured to pulse-oscillate the fundamental wave generated by the laser medium on the basis of a control signal input from the control section
Data Source
AI summary
To prevent an output decrease of laser light due to impurities formed in a Q switch. A laser machining device includes a Q-switch housing section configured by housing a Q switch and a first mirror and a wavelength converting section including a housing in which a transmission window section capable of transmitting a fundamental wave is formed, the wavelength converting section being configured by airtightly housing, with an internal space surrounded by the housing, at least a first wavelength conversion element, a second wavelength conversion element, and a second mirror. A resonator forming a resonant optical path passing through the transmission window section is configured by the first mirror in the Q-switch housing section and the second mirror in the wavelength converting section.