Mid-Infrared Laser Source Assembly with Beam Combiner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable, compact mid-infrared (MIR) laser sources do not generate an output beam with sufficient power, narrow linewidth, and accurately tunable wavelength, limiting their applications in fields like medical diagnostics, pollution monitoring, and missile jamming.
Innovation Solution
A laser source assembly comprising multiple MIR laser sources and a beam combiner, where each MIR laser source generates a narrow linewidth, accurately settable beam, and the beams are combined to produce a high-power output beam with adjustable characteristics, including wavelength and power, using a combiner lens and optical fiber with anti-reflection coating to enhance efficiency and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple MIR laser sources are combined to increase output power, then the power of the output beam is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple MIR laser sources are spatially combined using a beam combiner to produce a single high-power output beam. The beam combiner merges the beams from individual laser sources (e.g., three 500mW sources) into one consolidated beam, achieving multiple watt output power while maintaining a unified beam structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser source assembly is divided into multiple independent MIR laser source modules, each generating a narrow linewidth beam at a specific wavelength. This segmentation allows individual sources to be optimized for specific functions while being combined into a unified high-power system, managing complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If the linewidth of the output beam is narrowed to improve spectral purity, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each MIR laser source is designed to produce a narrow linewidth beam with specific spectral characteristics optimized for its designated wavelength. This local optimization of spectral quality at each source level, when combined, achieves high overall measurement precision without requiring the entire system to be redesigned for spectral purity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wavelength of the output beam is made accurately tunable to improve application versatility, then the adaptability or versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser source assembly incorporates multiple MIR laser sources that can be tuned to different wavelengths within the mid-infrared range (3-14 microns). Each source can be independently adjusted to specific wavelengths, enabling the system to serve multiple applications including medical diagnostics, pollution monitoring, and missile jamming, all through a single unified platform.
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
The assembly produces a multiple watt, accurately settable, narrow linewidth output beam suitable for various applications, including missile jamming, with improved power and tunability, effectively addressing the limitations of existing MIR laser sources.
Implementation Method 1
the beam combiner includes a combiner lens and an output optical fiber. In this embodiment, the first MIR beam and the second MIR beam are directed at the combiner lens and the combiner lens focuses the MIR beams onto a fiber facet of the output optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
the output optical fiber includes an AR coating on the fiber facet. The AR coating improves the ability of the output optical fiber to receive the MIR beams, and inhibits the generation of heat at the fiber facet
Data Source
AI summary
A laser source assembly for providing an assembly output beam includes a first MIR laser source, a second MIR laser source, and a beam combiner. The first MIR laser source emits a first MIR beam that is in the MIR range and the second MIR laser source emits a second MIR beam that is in the MIR range. Further, the beam combiner spatially combines the first MIR beam and the second MIR beam to provide the assembly output beam. With this design, a plurality MIR laser sources can be packaged in a portable, common module, each of the MIR laser sources generates a narrow linewidth, accurately settable MIR beam, and the MIR beams are combined to create a multiple watt assembly output beam having the desired power.