摘要:
This invention relates to high power laser systems of the type which, typically, operate at up to 500 watts of average power in the high average power mode and up to 75 joules per pulse in the high energy mode, and has a lens system which is constructed of several individual pieces in order to form an integral lens holding system that maximizes the useful lens aperture. Such structures of this type, generally, allow a laser/fiber user to quickly change lenses, while simultaneously maintaining optical alignment when the lens is replaced.
摘要:
A system for injecting successive beam pulses of a pulsed power laser into optical fibers, for transmission therethrough, is disclosed. The system comprises four lens, four fiber groups with the tips thereof respectively proximate the focal points of the lenses, two galvanometer driven mirrors for directing the laser beam through one of the lenses for focusing onto a selected fiber tip, and control means to drive the galvanometers to reorient the two mirrors between laser beam pulses into successive pairs of predetermined positions effective to inject the successive beam pulses into selected fibers. Failure to reorient the mirrors before the succeeding beam pulse arrives results in laser shutdown. Means are provided for detecting a malfunction of the mirrors, fracture of a lens or a missed fiber injection and, in either case, shutting down the laser.
摘要:
An optical fiber holder includes a pair of flat, adjacent surfaces. Each of the surfaces includes a straight groove, the grooves opposing so as to form a passage shaped to engage an optical fiber in a snug fit. Means are provided for fastening the two surfaces together. The optical fiber holder is preferably constructed of material transparent to a laser beam at a predetermined wavelength, thereby making the optical fiber holder particularly adapted for use with a laser device generating such a laser beam.
摘要:
Mechanical apparatus and method for positioning an optical fiber for injection with a laser beam is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a mechanical seat which is positioned to abut a first optical fiber which has been aligned by an optical alignment technique. Upon the need to replace the first fiber, the apparatus enables positioning of the mechanical seat at the same location so that a second fiber can be aligned in the same position as the first fiber without the need to employ an optical alignment technique.
摘要:
A system for directing successive beam pulses of a pulsed laser into different optical fibers, for transmission therethrough, is disclosed. The system comprises at least one lens, a plurality of optical fibers with the tips thereof positioned proximate a focal point of the lens, and at least one galvanometer driven mirror for directing a laser beam through the lens for focusing separately onto each fiber tip. The galvanometer, driven by computer generated position addresses, moves the mirror, between laser pulses, to predetermined positions each effective to direct the laser beam, through the lens, into one of the fiber tips for transmission via the fiber to a remote workstation location. In a first illustrated embodiment, a single mirror is mounted to direct the laser beam into fiber tips positioned substantially in the same plane and proximate the focal points of eight lenses. In a second illustrated embodiment, two mirrors are respectively mounted to scan the laser beam along "x" and "y" coordinate directions to direct the laser beam into fiber tip positioned proximate the respective focal points of four lenses.
摘要:
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing control of high power laser/fiber delivered beam quality. Such structures of this type, generally, allow the parameters of a high power fiber delivered beam to be determined such that the high power laser beam is injected into an optical fiber with the appropriate focal length lens.
摘要:
This invention discloses an optical fiber connect/disconnect for power lasers. The connect/disconnect should allow a laser/fiber user to quickly interface fiber injection input and fiber output couplers while providing electrical and optical alignment. The connect/disconnect also offers a fail safe connection in that the laser should not transmit any power unless and until electrical interlocks and optical alignments are completed.
摘要:
An optical fiber coupler for coupling a high power laser beam delivered by an incoming fiber into multiple outgoing fibers is disclosed. The beam emitted from the incoming fiber is collimated and split into multiple split beam portions for injection into the respective multiple outgoing fibers. Each split beam portion is shaped for injection into its respective outgoing fiber in accordance with specific beam injection criteria.
摘要:
A coupler apparatus for supporting an output end of an optical fiber is described. In one embodiment, the coupler apparatus includes a first lens for collimating as a first collimated beam a portion of a high power laser beam emitted from the output end of the fiber. The beam, as it is transmitted through the coupler, is expanded and shaped into a materials processing beam portion which is focused onto a workpiece surface.
摘要:
A laser materials processing system for computing a real time cooling rate experienced on a workpiece and responsively controlling the operation of a materials processing laser. An image of a point of laser beam-material interaction is transmitted via imaging optical fibers to ratio pyrometer apparatus which provides temperature proportional signals. The temperature signals are used to compute cooling rate.