Single-Pump LiDAR Laser Layout for High-Energy Pulsed Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art lasers do not meet the ideal laser optical characteristics required for mobile three-dimensional LiDAR applications, such as short pulse width, high repetition rate, good beam quality, sufficient pulse energy for long distances, and compactness, while being cost-effective and suitable for automated manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A laser device comprising a laser oscillator and amplifier optically pumped by a single pumping unit, where the pumping beam is transmitted in both directions along the laser beam path, with reflective surfaces and polarization management to achieve efficient energy transfer and temperature stability, enabling the production of a compact, high-power pulsed laser beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pumping unit is used to pump both the laser oscillator and amplifier, then device complexity is reduced and compactness is improved, but achieving sufficient pulse energy and high repetition rate becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single pumping beam is segmented into two separate pumping paths using a beam splitter: one path pumps the laser oscillator, and the other path pumps the laser amplifier. This allows one pumping unit to effectively serve two distinct laser components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sufficient power output for both stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser oscillator is nested within the optical path of the laser amplifier system. The oscillator generates initial laser beams that are then amplified by the amplifier, creating a hierarchical structure where a compact oscillator feeds into a larger amplifier system, achieving compactness while delivering high pulse energy.
2Volume of moving object
If the laser oscillator and amplifier are arranged in a compact configuration, then device size is reduced, but thermal management and temperature stability become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the laser oscillator and amplifier in a collinear configuration along the laser beam path, utilizing the spatial dimension efficiently. This linear arrangement allows compact packaging while distributing thermal loads along the beam path, making thermal management more effective compared to compact lateral arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping unit and beam splitter serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the laser oscillator and amplifier. This intermediary arrangement allows for optimized thermal management by separating the pumping and laser beam paths, enabling independent thermal control of each component while maintaining compact overall size.
3Productivity
If high repetition rate and short pulse width are achieved, then LiDAR performance is improved, but beam quality and pulse energy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The laser oscillator performs preliminary action by generating short pulse width laser beams with good beam quality before they enter the amplifier. This preliminary generation of high-quality pulses ensures that the amplification process starts with optimal beam parameters, maintaining beam quality even at high repetition rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining a steady-state pumping condition in both the oscillator and amplifier. The beam splitter continuously directs appropriate portions of the pumping beam to each component, ensuring uninterrupted laser operation at high repetition rates while preserving beam quality through consistent pumping conditions.
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 solution enables the production of a compact, high-power pulsed laser with improved beam quality and energy efficiency, suitable for long-distance ranging and integration into vehicles for LiDAR applications, while maintaining low cost and stability across temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
a gain medium adapted to amplify light by way of stimulated emission when receiving pumping power, for example electrical or optical pumping power
Implementation Method 2
A photon which is emitted in the direction normal to the mirrors is reflected by each mirror in round trips
Implementation Method 3
a pumping unit (10) disposed between the laser oscillator (30) and the laser beam amplifier (9) and configured to, when receiving an incoming continuous pumping beam having the pumping wavelength
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A laser device for laser detection and ranging (Li DAR), comprising: - a laser oscillator (30) configured for emitting a pulsed laser beam (B4), - a laser beam amplifier (9) disposed on the laser beam path, - a pumping unit (10) disposed between the laser oscillator (30) and the laser beam amplifier (9) and configured to, when receiving an incoming continuous pumping beam having the pumping wavelength, * transmit the laser beam (B4) along the laser direction; * send the pumping beam for pumping the laser oscillator (30) in the opposite direction (X2) to the laser direction, and * transmit a reflected part of the pumping beam for pumping the laser beam amplifier (9), in the laser direction (X1).