Optical Pumping Structure Gas Cooling Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical pumping structures for lasers face challenges in achieving effective thermal power extraction, uniform diode temperatures, minimal bulk, and high-quality beam output, particularly when using gas cooling, which compromises on either thermal dissipation quality or device bulkiness.
Innovation Solution
An optical pumping structure featuring a cylindrical rod with a circular cross-section, surrounded by thermally conductive rings and three stacks of diodes arranged in a star pattern, with a Peltier-effect module for temperature regulation and a shim for thermal resistance adaptation, using a gas coolant to minimize bulk and ensure uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling is used to achieve effective thermal power extraction, then thermal dissipation quality is improved, but device bulk and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid cooling systems with a gas cooling system (pneumatic cooling). The gas flows through channels in the heat exchanger blocks, providing effective thermal dissipation without the bulk and complexity of liquid cooling systems including pumps, hoses, and liquid management infrastructure. This resolves the contradiction by achieving good thermal dissipation (improving_feature) while minimizing device bulk (reducing worsening_feature).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the liquid cooling subsystem from the optical pumping structure. By eliminating the liquid coolant and its associated components (pumps, reservoirs, hoses), the patent achieves effective thermal power extraction through gas cooling alone, thereby reducing device bulk while maintaining thermal dissipation quality.
2Power
If multiple sets of pumping diodes are arranged around the rod, then pumping effectiveness is improved, but temperature uniformity among diodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into multiple independent heat exchanger blocks, each serving a specific diode stack. This segmentation allows each diode stack to have its own dedicated cooling path, enabling independent temperature control and ensuring uniform temperature distribution across all diodes while maintaining high pumping effectiveness with multiple diode sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements localized cooling by providing each diode stack with its own heat exchanger block positioned in direct thermal contact. This local quality approach ensures that each diode stack receives optimized cooling tailored to its specific thermal load and position, maintaining temperature uniformity across all diodes while preserving the benefits of multiple diode sets for effective pumping.
3Temperature
If thermal conduction blocks are used to support diode stacks, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural support function and thermal management function into a single integrated component. The heat exchanger blocks serve both as structural supports for the diode stacks and as thermal management devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate thermal conduction blocks and support structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger blocks are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for the diode stacks, serve as thermal conduction paths for heat removal, and act as mounting surfaces for the diodes. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while improving thermal management efficiency.
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 design achieves efficient thermal power extraction, uniform diode temperatures, and high-quality beam output while reducing device bulk and logistical constraints, maintaining performance across varying pulse rates with minimal temperature differences and reduced weight.
Implementation Method 1
a support temperature-regulated by a Peltier-effect module
Implementation Method 2
the rings are in contact with the support... Thermal dissipation elements in the form of aluminum rings grip the rod at its ends... Thermal dissipation is also provided by a cooling device that uses a circulation of liquid which links the sets of diodes
Implementation Method 3
An effective cooling using a gas (air for example) instead of a liquid in a minimum bulk is a major issue
Data Source
AI summary
An optical pumping structure for lasers includes: an active medium in the form of a cylindrical rod with a circular cross-section, said rod being inserted at its ends into two rings made of a thermally conductive material; at least three stacks of pumping diode strips arranged in the form of a star around the rod; and a support temperature-regulated by a Peltier-effect module. The rings are in contact with the support, and a stack of diodes, called bottom stack, being situated between the rod and the support, and the structure comprises, for each other stack, a thermal conduction block forming a support for said stack, these blocks being mounted on the cooled support and not being in contact with one another or with the rings.