摘要:
This invention relates to a novel apparatus and method capable of aligning an optical fiber for injection with a high power laser beam. More particularly, this apparatus and method use a camera coupled to a monitor to align the fiber tip coincident with the laser beam focus, without damaging the fiber jacket or cladding.
摘要:
The instant invention is directed in general to optical systems in which a laser beam is injected into the end of an optical fiber and, more specifically, to laser materials processing systems in which a high power laser beam is injected into the fiber input end for transmission to a remote end of the fiber where materials processing is performed with the emitted beam. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, an injection chamber is used to isolate the optical fiber injection end from the surrounding air by enclosing the optical fiber injection end, and providing a gas purge to reduce the air concentration and to keep dust from entering or settling on the optical fiber injection end. This preferred embodiment prevents the ionization of the air surrounding the fiber injection end, thereby preventing the damaging effects of ionization which often occur during optical fiber injection processes.
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:
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.
摘要:
This invention relates to a method for providing control of high power laser-fiber delivered beam quality. Such structures of this type, generally, use a tapered fiber output end preparation to improve the beam quality of fiber delivered laser beams.