Tapered Cladding Optical Fiber Aiming Beam Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power fiber lasers operating outside the visible spectrum pose challenges in accurate aiming during material processing applications due to invisibility, and existing coupling methods like free space optics and fused fiber combiners are complex, inefficient, and cause power loss and beam quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical fiber system where the outer surface region of the cladding is tapered or features a periodic pattern of notches, allowing the aiming beam to couple into the core without additional optical couplers, reducing complexity and maintaining laser beam propagation integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If free space optics or fused fiber combiners are used to couple the aiming beam into the fiber, then the aiming function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and power loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external coupling components (free space optics, fused fiber combiners) by extracting the coupling function directly into the fiber structure itself. The tapered or grated cladding region enables the aiming beam to couple into the core without requiring separate coupling devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining the aiming function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered or grated cladding acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates coupling between the aiming beam and the core. This intermediate region with modified refractive index profile enables efficient energy transfer from the aiming beam to the core modes without requiring external coupling components.
2Ease of operation
If free space optics or fused fiber combiners are used to couple the aiming beam, then the aiming function is achieved, but power loss and beam quality degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
By removing external coupling components and implementing coupling directly within the fiber structure, the patent eliminates interfaces where power loss and beam quality degradation would occur. The integrated tapered/grated cladding coupling minimizes energy loss by maintaining continuous waveguide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered or grated cladding serves as an efficient intermediary that enables direct energy transfer from the aiming beam to the core modes with minimal loss. This intermediate structure is optimized to match impedance and maximize coupling efficiency, preventing power loss and beam quality degradation.
3Productivity
If the outer surface region of the cladding is tapered or grated, then the aiming beam couples efficiently into the core, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by creating tapered or grated structures only in specific regions of the cladding (outer surface regions) rather than throughout the entire fiber. This localized modification achieves the required coupling functionality while minimizing the impact on overall manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of the cladding (refractive index profile, geometry) in localized regions to create the coupling function. By modifying parameters such as cladding thickness, taper angle, or grating period in specific zones, the patent achieves efficient coupling while using standard manufacturing techniques for the bulk fiber structure.
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
Enables accurate and efficient aiming of high-power laser beams by coupling a visible aiming beam into the fiber without power loss or beam quality degradation, improving safety, precision, and efficiency in material processing applications.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface region of the cladding is tapered, and wherein the outer surface region of the cladding is configured to: cause an aiming beam that falls incident upon the outer surface region of the cladding at a first incidence angle to fall incident upon an outer surface region of the core at a second incidence angle
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber includes a core configured to transmit laser light and a cladding that surrounds the core. In some implementations, an outer surface region of the cladding is tapered or comprises a plurality of notches. The outer surface region of the cladding is configured to cause an aiming beam that falls incident upon the outer surface region of the cladding at a first incidence angle to fall incident upon an outer surface region of the core at a second incidence angle to allow the aiming beam to couple into the core.