Side-Coupling Structure for Fiber Laser Aiming Beam Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aiming a fiber laser in material processing applications is challenging due to the laser output being invisible, making accurate positioning difficult, and existing methods like free space optics and fused fiber combiners are complex and inefficient, leading to power loss and beam quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
A side-coupling structure is created by removing coatings from sections of aiming and laser beam fibers, bringing them into physical contact to couple the aiming beam into the laser beam fiber, and recoating them, allowing for cladding-to-core coupling without heating or fusion, thus avoiding power loss and beam degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If free space optics or fused fiber combiners are used to couple aiming beam to laser beam fiber, then aiming capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and power loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aiming beam fiber and laser beam fiber into a single integrated optical path by side-coupling them. The aiming beam fiber is positioned adjacent to the laser beam fiber such that the aiming beam couples directly into the laser beam fiber's core, eliminating the need for separate free space optics or complex fused fiber combiners. This integration simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining aiming functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the aiming beam coupling function from complex external optical systems and implements it directly at the fiber level through side-coupling. By removing the need for separate coupling components and integrating the function into the fiber structure itself, the solution reduces device complexity while preserving the aiming capability.
2Ease of operation
If free space optics or fused fiber combiners are used for beam coupling, then aiming is enabled, but power loss and beam quality degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the aiming beam and laser beam into a single fiber core through side-coupling, the patent eliminates multiple optical interfaces that cause power loss. The direct coupling within the fiber structure avoids alignment losses, reflection losses, and beam quality degradation associated with free space optics or fusion splicing, thereby preserving energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If coating is removed from fibers to create side-coupling structure, then coupling efficiency is improved, but fiber protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively removing coating only from the specific sections of fiber where coupling is needed, while leaving the coating intact on the rest of the fiber. This localized approach allows efficient optical coupling at the coupling point while maintaining the protective coating elsewhere, thus preserving fiber reliability without sacrificing coupling 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
The side-coupling structure simplifies manufacturing, prevents power loss and beam quality degradation, and enhances coupling efficiency, enabling accurate aiming and improved performance in material processing applications.
Implementation Method 1
bringing the section of the aiming beam fiber in physical contact with the section of the laser beam fiber in order to create a side-coupling structure, associated with coupling an aiming beam from the aiming beam fiber into the laser beam fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a side-coupling structure, associated with coupling an aiming beam from an aiming beam fiber into a laser beam fiber, may include removing a coating from a section of the laser beam fiber and removing a coating from a section of the aiming beam fiber. The method may further include bringing the section of the aiming beam fiber in physical contact with the section of the laser beam fiber in order to create the side-coupling structure. The method may further include recoating the section of the laser beam fiber and the section of the aiming beam fiber in order to coat the side-coupling structure.