Wavelength Beam Combining Layout for Higher Laser Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for further increasing the output power and power density of laser beams combined through wavelength beam combining in direct diode laser systems.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength beam combining device that includes a polarization beam splitter, polarization conversion elements, diffraction gratings, and a polarization beam combiner to separate and coaxially combine laser beams of different peak wavelengths, enhancing optical output power and power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If wavelength beam combining is used to increase optical output power, then the output power increases, but the power density may be insufficient for high-performance applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the wavelength combining process into two distinct stages: first combining beams of the same polarization state to form intermediate combined beams, then combining beams of different polarization states to form the final high-power, high-density beam. This segmentation allows optimization of each stage for its specific purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the polarization dimension as an additional degree of freedom for beam combining. By employing both same-polarization and different-polarization combining methods in sequence, the system effectively adds the polarization state as another dimension for power and density enhancement.
2Power
If multiple laser beams of different wavelengths are combined, then the output power increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combining system is divided into a first wavelength combining unit for same-polarization beams and a second wavelength combining unit for different-polarization beams. This segmentation simplifies each individual combining stage while achieving the overall goal of combining multiple wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces polarization state as an additional dimension for organizing and managing the beam combining process. This allows for a more systematic approach to combining multiple wavelengths by first grouping them by polarization state.
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 effectively enhances the output power and power density of combined laser beams, improving the efficiency and performance of direct diode laser systems for applications like cutting, welding, and material processing.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization beam splitter configured to separate the plurality of laser beams into a plurality of first polarized light beams linearly polarized in a first polarization direction and a plurality of second polarized light beams linearly polarized in a second polarization direction that is orthogonal to the first polarization direction
Implementation Method 2
at least one diffraction grating configured to diffract the plurality of first polarized light beams and generate a first wavelength-combined beam into which the plurality of first polarized light beams are coaxially combined
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wavelength beam combining device includes: a polarization beam splitter configured to separate the plurality of laser beams into a plurality of first polarized light beams linearly polarized in a first polarization direction and a plurality of second polarized light beams linearly polarized in a second polarization direction that is orthogonal to the first polarization direction; a first polarization conversion element configured to convert the second polarized light beams into a plurality of third polarized light beams linearly polarized in the first polarization direction; a diffraction grating configured to diffract the plurality of first polarized light beams and generate a coaxially combined first wavelength-combined beam, and to diffract the plurality of third polarized light beams and generate a coaxially combined second wavelength-combined beam; and a polarization beam combiner configured to generate and emit a third wavelength-combined beam into which the first wavelength-combined beam and the second wavelength-combined beam have been coaxially combined.