Multicore Fiber Laser Delivery for Long-Range Beam Profile Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrahigh power fiber laser systems face challenges in delivering high-quality, high-power light to remote locations due to nonlinear effects in long delivery fibers, which degrade the power and quality of the output beam.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a configuration of multiple fiber laser sources with central and peripheral sources, coupled through a tapered fiber-bundle and multicore delivery fiber, which allows for longer delivery fibers with reduced nonlinear effects and the ability to output beams with various intensity profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a long delivery fiber is used to deliver high power light to remote locations, then the delivery distance is improved, but nonlinear effects increase which degrade the power and quality of the output beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single high-power beam into multiple lower-power beams by using multiple fiber laser sources (e.g., seven 1kW sources instead of one 7kW source). Each source feeds into a separate core of a multicore delivery fiber, reducing the intensity in each core and thereby minimizing nonlinear effects while maintaining total power and extending delivery distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different intensity profiles (e.g., doughnut-shaped, ring-shaped) by selectively activating specific laser sources and routing them through specific cores. This allows different regions of the beam to have different intensity characteristics, enabling optimization for specific applications while reducing peak intensity-related nonlinear effects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fiber laser sources are combined into a single delivery fiber to provide different beam profiles, then beam profile versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent fiber laser sources, each capable of producing different beam profiles, into a single multicore delivery fiber system. The individual outputs are coupled into separate cores, and by selectively activating different sources and cores, various beam profiles can be generated from a unified system, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicore delivery fiber system serves multiple functions: it can deliver different beam profiles (doughnut, ring, Gaussian), maintain high power output, and reduce nonlinear effects. A single system configuration provides versatility for different industrial applications without requiring separate laser systems for each function.
3Power
If high intensity light is transmitted through fiber to maintain power output, then power delivery is improved, but nonlinear effects increase which degrade beam quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total power into multiple lower-intensity beams by using multiple laser sources, each contributing a portion of the total power through separate cores. This segmentation maintains the total power output while reducing the intensity in each individual core, thereby minimizing nonlinear effects that would otherwise degrade beam quality.
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 enables the delivery of high-quality, high-power beams over longer distances with reduced nonlinear effects, and allows for the generation of various beam shapes, enhancing the system's versatility and effectiveness in industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrahigh power all fiber laser system with controllable output beam intensity profile... multiple fiber laser sources... coupled through a tapered fiber-bundle and multicore delivery fiber
Implementation Method 2
multiple fiber laser sources... generate respective laser outputs
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed ultra-high power all fiber laser system is configured with multiple spaced apart fiber lasers outputting respective laser beams respective paths. The disclosed system is further configured with a tapered fiber-bundle including at least one central guiding fiber and a plurality of peripheral guiding fibers. The disclosed system further has a multiclad delivery fiber configured with a double-bottle neck cross-section and provided with at least two concentric and radially spaced apart inner and outer cores. The inner core is coupled to the peripheral guiding fibers while the inner core is spliced to the central guiding fiber so that a system output emitted from the inner core of the delivery fiber has a different beam shape from the system output emitted from the outer core.