Optical Fiber Aperture Integration for Beam Control at the Emitting End
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fibers require external optical systems with large diameters and numerous components for beam control, leading to increased complexity and reduced signal-to-noise ratio due to the lack of an aperture function at the emitting end.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber with an aperture formed by irradiating the core near the emitting end using an ultrashort pulsed laser beam, creating a light scattering region with a disc shape to control the beam and enhance signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external optical system is used for beam control, then beam control capability is achieved, but the system complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aperture function into the optical fiber core itself by creating a light scattering region through laser irradiation. This integration eliminates the need for separate external aperture components and optical systems, thereby reducing component count while maintaining beam control capability. The light scattering region formed in the core acts as an internal aperture that controls light emission without requiring external mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber becomes self-sufficient for beam control by incorporating the aperture function directly into its core structure. The light scattering region created by laser irradiation enables the fiber to control its own light emission pattern without requiring external optical systems. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional components and simplifies the overall system configuration.
2Ease of operation
If an external optical system with aperture is used, then beam control is achieved, but positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the aperture function into the optical fiber core through laser-created light scattering regions, the patent eliminates the need for precise positioning between external optical components and the fiber. The aperture is now part of the fiber itself, removing alignment and positioning requirements that previously complicated manufacturing and installation.
3Device complexity
If no aperture function is provided at the emitting end, then the optical fiber structure is simple, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical aperture components with a light scattering region created by laser irradiation in the core. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while providing the necessary aperture function to control light emission and improve signal-to-noise ratio. The light scattering region acts as a non-mechanical aperture that filters light effectively without requiring physical components.
4Device complexity
If an aperture is formed by laser processing, then the aperture function is integrated, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses laser irradiation to create light scattering regions in the core, replacing traditional mechanical aperture fabrication methods. This approach integrates the aperture function directly into the fiber structure through a controlled processing step that forms the light scattering region, achieving high integration while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a single focused laser treatment step.
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 aperture function in the optical fiber improves beam control and signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for a smaller external optical system with fewer components and simplified positioning.
Implementation Method 1
an aperture is provided in a core located at and/or near the emitting end by irradiating the core with an ultrashort pulsed laser beam... the aperture including a light scattering region formed by inducing a damage change in part of the core through the irradiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This optical fiber (1A) is provided with an incident end to which light is incident and an emitting end from which light is emitted, and also provided with an aperture formed by the irradiating the core (4) at or near the emitting end with an ultrashort pulsed laser having a pulse width of 10-15 to 10-11 seconds. This aperture is configured from a light scattering region formed by inducing damage change in a portion of the aforementioned core through irradiation with the ultrashort pulsed laser, a light absorption region formed by inducing blackening in a portion of the aforementioned core through irradiation with the ultrashort pulsed laser, or a volume diffractive optical element formed by inducing a refractive index change in a portion of the aforementioned core through irradiation with the ultrashort pulsed laser. The beam control properties of the light emitted from the emitting end are improved by means of adding this aperture function to the aforementioned optical fiber.