Abstract:
The system and method of integrated seed and high power pump source generates two wavelengths outside the effective gain bandwidth of a single gain medium without using two unique pump sources in a fiber amplifier train. The system and method uses a single pump power oscillator that passes a seed wavelength with no loss and minimal amplification to pump integrated amplifiers in both directions (forward and backward) resulting in amplification of the seed wavelength.
Abstract:
A fiber optic laser for use in high stress environments is provided. The fiber optic laser comprises a hollow spool structure housing a fiber in a spiral groove in an interior surface of said hollow spool structure, wherein the fiber is mechanically supported along an entirety of its length within the hollow spool structure. Fluid channels are formed within the hollow spool structure, wherein a quantity of coolant is movable through the fluid channels to provide high-precision thermal management of the fiber.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for controlling the mechanical stabilization of an optical fiber are disclosed. The method may consist of placing an inflatable bladder between an optical fiber and a protective jacket. The bladder may be inflated with air, inert gas, or liquid to a desired pressure. The bladder may be sectioned to extend along part of or the entire length of the fiber. The bladder may isolate the optical fiber in a periodic fashion. The temperature of the material inside the bladder may vary axially along the optical fiber. Embodiments of the invention can stabilize the optical fiber by providing mechanical isolation from vibration and other perturbations. Embodiments of the invention can also alter Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (“SBS”) and Stimulated Raman Scattering (“SRS”) thresholds using either thermal or vibrational perturbations.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a high-power fiber laser by forming a first assembly of fiber optic components on a common first fiber; forming a second assembly of other fiber optic components on a common second fiber; forming a further fiber optic component on a third optical fiber; connecting the first fiber to the third optical fiber by a first splice to fix the first assembly of fiber optic components to the further fiber optic component; and connecting the third optical fiber to the second fiber by a second splice to fix the second assembly of fiber optic components to the further fiber optic component.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for controlling the mechanical stabilization of an optical fiber are disclosed. The method may consist of placing an inflatable bladder between an optical fiber and a protective jacket. The bladder may be inflated with air, inert gas, or liquid to a desired pressure. The bladder may be sectioned to extend along part of or the entire length of the fiber. The bladder may isolate the optical fiber in a periodic fashion. The temperature of the material inside the bladder may vary axially along the optical fiber. Embodiments of the invention can stabilize the optical fiber by providing mechanical isolation from vibration and other perturbations. Embodiments of the invention can also alter Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (“SBS”) and Stimulated Raman Scattering (“SRS”) thresholds using either thermal or vibrational perturbations.
Abstract:
A system and method for producing Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) is disclosed. A single optical fiber or Raman oscillator is optically pumped by a pump laser of sufficient power to generate SRS to generate several Stokes shifts of energy. This generates a multi-wavelength output or a single wavelength with several stokes energy shifts from the pump wavelength. A selective, monolithic-coated Raman fiber oscillator laser is utilized to increase the efficiency of frequency shifting by providing frequency-specific feedback at both facets of a free space coupled optical fiber oscillator. Frequencies that lie several bands away from the primary pump frequency may be efficiently achieved in a fiber oscillator by re-circulating the required stokes-shifted frequencies via selective high-reflection coatings. By re-circulating the intra-band stokes frequencies, the required intensities in each respective frequency will be increased, thereby dropping the respective Raman threshold in the optical fiber.
Abstract:
In the method of generating high power light with high efficiency and low thermal loading, the improvement comprising the steps of resonantly pumping a first thulium-doped fiber laser with a second thulium-doped fiber last, said second thulium-doped fiber laser having a shorter wavelength than said first thulium-doped fiber laser.
Abstract:
A fiber laser having a thermal controller operatively connected to one or more fiber Bragg gratings is provided. The thermal controller does not impart much or imparts very little mechanical stress or strain to the optical fiber in which the FBGs reside because such forces can alter the FBG performance. Rather, the thermal controller utilizes a thermally conductive semi-solid or non-Newtonian fluid to submerge/suspend a portion of the optical fiber in which FBG resides. Temperature control logic controls whether a thermoelectric heater and cooler should be directed to increase or decrease its temperature. The thermoelectric heater and cooler imparts or removes thermal energy from the FBG to efficiently control its performance without the application of mechanical stress. The fiber laser having a thermal controller generally is able to increase laser output power greater than two times the amount of output power of a similarly fabricated fiber laser free of the thermal controller(s).
Abstract:
A fiber laser having a thermal controller operatively connected to one or more fiber Bragg gratings is provided. The thermal controller does not impart much or imparts very little mechanical stress or strain to the optical fiber in which the FBGs reside because such forces can alter the FBG performance. Rather, the thermal controller utilizes a thermally conductive semi-solid or non-Newtonian fluid to submerge/suspend a portion of the optical fiber in which FBG resides. Temperature control logic controls whether a thermoelectric heater and cooler should be directed to increase or decrease its temperature. The thermoelectric heater and cooler imparts or removes thermal energy from the FBG to efficiently control its performance without the application of mechanical stress. The fiber laser having a thermal controller generally is able to increase laser output power greater than two times the amount of output power of a similarly fabricated fiber laser free of the thermal controller(s).
Abstract:
A system and method for passing a fiber cable through a fiber connector is presented. A fiber connector includes an outer body and a series of flutes inside the outer body. The outer body forms an interior chamber that has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening allows a coolant to flow into the first opening and the first and second openings allow the fiber cable to pass through the first opening and the second opening and through the fiber connector. A series of flutes are attached to an inner surface of the outer body and extend into the interior chamber. The flutes are spaced apart from each other and extend from the inner surface toward the fiber cable but do not touch the fiber cable when no liquid is flowing in the fiber connector.