DE102007036701B4 - Method for producing a fiber laser and fiber laser - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for producing a fiber laser, characterized in that in a first step, at least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser (1) and glass tubes (3) in at least one tube (5) are arranged so that the glass cylinder with the partially active Medium is embedded in the glass tubes (3) that in a second step Pumpfasern (4) in the tube (5) are placed so that the pump fibers (4) partially overlap the glass cylinder with the partially active medium that the glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass tubes (3) and the pump fibers (4) are a preform, that in at least a third step, the preform is drawn in several stages so that a first drawn region (6) with at least one end region of both the glass cylinder with the partially active medium as well as the glass tubes (3) and the tube (5) is the fiber laser region, a second drawn region (7) with the end regions the pump fibers (4) and an area of the ...

Description

The The invention relates to methods for producing a fiber laser and Fiber laser with a glass fiber with the active medium.

A fiber laser is among other things by the publication WO 95/10868 A1 known, wherein the active medium is pumped by a multi-mode laser source. The pumping fiber is coupled via an optical coupler, the pumping fiber being wound around the fiber with the active medium and subsequently heated.

The publication DE 694 14 139 T2 includes a coupling arrangement between a multimode light source and an optical fiber by means of a fiber spacer. An end portion of the pumping fiber is connected by fusing with the optical fiber as coupling.

The Coupling between the fiber with the active medium and the pump fiber takes place by partial fusion of the end region of the pump fiber and a portion of the fiber. For Such connections require special technologies and to keep tight parameters.

Through the publication EP 1 586 145 B1 a side-pumped fiber laser is known. The coupling of the pump radiation takes place radially to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber with the active medium. For such a coupling special windows on the optical fiber with the active medium for coupling the pump radiation are necessary.

From the publication DE 11 2004 002 202 T5 For example, a method of manufacturing a multi-fiber fiber amplifier is known. These are placed in a tube and pulled out to a fiber. In this case, a fiber bundle is spliced with an optical fiber. For details on this fiber amplifier and the drawing process will not be discussed.

By the publication "high-power laser fiber and photonic microstructures", DGG glass forum, 10. March 2005, Würzburg, Internet document of the IPHT Jena general technological aspects are known to the laser fiber production. The publication DE 698 24 493 T2 includes a tapered fiber bundle for coupling and uncoupling light from cladding-pumped fiber devices. From the publication DE 698 27 630 T2 For example, a monomode optical fiber is known that is useful for transmitting radiation at significantly higher powers. The fiber bundle and the fiber are pulled so that they have a continuous cross-section.

Of the in the claims 1, 4 and 5 indicated invention is the object of fiber lasers simple and economical Cheap to realize.

These Task is with the features listed in the claims 1, 4 and 5 solved.

The Draw a method of making a fiber laser and the fiber laser in particular by a simple realization.

• – ein erster gezogener Bereich mit wenigstens einem Endenbereich sowohl des Glaszylinders mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium als auch der Glasrohre sowie des Rohres der Faserlaserbereich ist,
• – ein zweiter gezogener Bereich mit den Endenbereichen der Pumpfasern und einem Bereich des Glaszylinders mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium, der Glasrohre und des Rohres der Koppelbereich zwischen Pumpfasern und der aus dem Glaszylinder mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium entstehenden Glasfaser ist und
• – ein dritter Bereich als Endenbereich in seiner Form verbleibt. Der erste Bereich wird dabei weiter als der zweite Bereich gezogen.

For this purpose, in a first step, at least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser and glass tubes in at least one tube so arranged that the glass cylinder is embedded with the partially active medium in the glass tubes. Furthermore, in a second step, pump fibers are placed in the tube so that the pump fibers partially overlap the glass cylinder with the partially active medium. The glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass tubes and the pump fibers are a preform. This preform is drawn in several stages in at least a third step, wherein

• A first drawn region with at least one end region of both the glass cylinder with the partially active medium and the glass tubes and of the tube is the fiber laser region,
• A second drawn region with the end regions of the pump fibers and a region of the glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass tubes and the tube is the coupling region between pump fibers and the glass fiber resulting from the glass cylinder with the partially active medium;
• - A third area remains as the end portion in its form. The first area is pulled further than the second area.

Farther In a fourth step, the third area becomes reflective Layer or an external mirror as end mirror for the glass fiber provided from the glass cylinder with the partially active medium.

• – ein Bereich der Glasfaser mit feiner äußerer aus Glasrohren entstandener Röhrenstruktur ein erster und weiter als ein zweiter Bereich gezogener Bereich des Faserlasers ist,
• – ein Bereich der Glasfaser mit feiner äußerer aus den Glasrohren entstandener Röhrenstruktur einschließlich der Endenbereiche von Pumpfasern der zweite gezogene Bereich ist und
• – ein Bereich der Glasfaser mit diese umgebenden Glasrohren und Pumpfasern ein dritter Bereich ist.

Thus, a fiber laser is realized with a glass fiber with the active medium, wherein

• A region of the glass fiber with fine outer tube structure resulting from glass tubes is a first and further as a second region pulled region of the fiber laser,
• A region of the glass fiber with fine outer tube structure resulting from the glass tubes, including the end regions of pump fibers, is the second drawn region and
• - A region of the glass fiber with these surrounding glass tubes and pump fibers is a third area.

Furthermore the third region has a reflective layer or a external mirror for the glass fiber as end mirror on.

Thereby is advantageously one in an integrated process step realized to be produced fiber laser. The starting point is the preform consisting of the tube with the inserted glass cylinder with the partially active medium and the glass tubes and the pump fibers. The glass cylinder with the partially active medium is centered arranged and surrounded by the glass tubes. This preform will be like this pulled that core with the active medium as a fiber laser and the pump fibers are present for the coupling of radiation. The Coupling takes place in the second region of the fiber laser. Of the first area forms the actual fiber laser, the pump beams completely in entered the nucleus with the active medium. The first area as the actual fiber laser with the glass cylinder with the partially active Medium is in the initial state before pulling only from the glass tubes surround. After undressing is the glass fiber with the active medium from a fine outer tube structure and with fine webs to increase the numerical aperture and to increase surrounding the temperature resistance. Thus, diode laser radiation with high divergence for pumping.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are in the claims 2, 3 and 6 to 14 indicated.

To The development of claim 2 are in the first step at least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of Fiber laser, glass rods, Pump fibers and glass tubes arranged in at least one tube so that the glass cylinder with the partially active medium in glass rods and at least partially embedded in the pump fibers.

• – ein Bereich der Glasfaser mit diese umgebender aus Glasstäben gebildeter photonischer Kristallstruktur und diese umgebender feiner äußerer aus Glasrohren entstandener Röhrenstruktur ein erster und weiter als ein zweiter Bereich gezogener Bereich des Faserlasers ist,
• – ein Bereich der Glasfaser mit diese umgebender aus Glasstäben gebildeter photonischer Kristallstruktur mit den Endenbereichen der Pumpfasern und diese umgebender feiner äußerer aus den Glasrohren entstandener Röhrenstruktur der zweite gezogene Bereich ist und
• – ein Bereich der Glasfaser mit diese umgebenden Glasstäben und Pumpfasern sowie diese umgebenden Glasrohren ein dritter Bereich ist.

Thus, a fiber laser is realized with a glass fiber with the active medium, wherein

• A region of the glass fiber with the surrounding photonic crystal structure formed of glass rods and this surrounding outer fine glass tube tube structure is a first and further as a second region drawn region of the fiber laser,
• And - a region of the glass fiber with these surrounding formed from glass rods photonic crystal structure with the end portions of the pump fibers and these surrounding fine outer tube structure resulting from the glass tubes is the second drawn region and
• - A portion of the glass fiber with these surrounding glass rods and pump fibers and these surrounding glass tubes is a third area.

Furthermore the third region has a reflective layer or a external mirror for the glass fiber as end mirror on.

The Pump radiation can be both in the photonic structure as even with a multi-layered outer tube structure be introduced into the inner area.

advantageously, is according to the embodiment of claim 3, the fiber laser range with constant speed and then the coupling area with pulled continuously decreasing speed. Thereby arises a fiber laser, wherein the cross section of the second Area in the direction of the third area continuously increased. Thereby let yourself in a simple way, a taped area without a separate coupling point realize with corresponding losses.

Of the Fiber laser is according to the embodiment of claim 6 a from a multi-stage drawn preform formed fiber laser. there are in at least one tube a glass cylinder with the area active medium of the fiber laser, surrounding the glass cylinder either Glass tubes and pump fibers or glass rods, pump fibers and glass tubes arranged so that the pump fibers the glass cylinder with the area overlap active medium.

The Pump fibers are according to the embodiment of claim 7 in Glass tubes and / or in between spaces the glass tubes arranged.

The Pump fibers are according to the embodiment of claim 8 in Between vacate the glass rods arranged.

To the development of claim 9 increases the cross-section of second area in the direction of the third area continuously. As a result, the pump radiation with a relatively large fiber diameter loss and easily incorporated into the fiber laser.

Of the second area is according to the embodiment of claim 10 so long that the pump radiation completely couples into the glass fiber. This ensures high efficiency of the fiber laser.

To the Pumps of the fiber laser are according to the embodiment of the claim 11 advantageously coupled diode laser.

To the pump fibers are 12 12 diode lasers by An after development of claim coupled splicing. Thus, advantageously, the power of the coupled diode laser can be scaled.

The Diode lasers according to the embodiment of the claim 13 a power of 10 W to 1000 W. The diode lasers are, for example, single-emitter diodes. At higher Services are diode laser bars used. The variable power Guarantees an effective pumping process that will last as well the scalability of the fiber laser is customizable.

conveniently, has the active medium according to the embodiment of the claim 14 a diameter of 10 microns until finally 100 μm. Due to the surrounding photonic structure is also at diameters of 100 μm a high beam quality guaranteed.

embodiments The invention are illustrated in principle in the drawings and will be closer in the following described.

It demonstrate:

1 a fiber laser with a glass fiber, glass tubes and pump fibers in a tube in a section as a plan view,

2 a fiber laser in a side view,

3 a fiber laser with coupled diode lasers and

4 a fiber laser with a glass fiber, glass rods, pump fibers and glass tubes in a tube in a section as a top view.

In the following embodiments are each a method for producing a fiber laser and a fiber laser closer together explained.

1st embodiment

A fiber laser 1 consists essentially of a fiberglass 2 with the active medium, this fiber 2 surrounding glass tubes 3 as well as pump fibers 4 ,

The 1 a fiber laser with a glass fiber 2 , Glass pipes 3 and pump fibers 4 in a tube 5 in a section as a basic plan view.

• – ist ein erster gezogener Bereich 6 mit wenigstens einem Endenbereich sowohl des Glaszylinders mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium als auch der Glasrohre 3 sowie des Rohres 5 der Faserlaserbereich,
• – ist ein zweiter gezogener Bereich 7 mit den Endenbereichen der Pumpfasern 4 und einem Bereich des Glaszylinders mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium, der Glasrohre 3 und des Rohres 5 der Koppelbereich zwischen Pumpfasern 4 und der aus dem Glaszylinder mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium entstehenden Glasfaser 2 und
• – verbleibt ein dritter Bereich 8 als Endenbereich in seiner Form. Der erste Bereich 6 wird weiter als der zweite Bereich 7 gezogen.

At least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser 1 gets centered in a tube 5 in glass tubes 3 embedded. In glass tubes 3 Preferably on the glass cylinder with the partially active medium pump fibers 4 for the fiber laser 1 placed so that the pump fibers 4 overlap this glass cylinder. The glass cylinder, the glass tubes 3 and the pump fibers 4 are a preform, which is subsequently pulled in several stages. there

• - is a first drawn area 6 with at least one end region of both the glass cylinder with the partially active medium and the glass tubes 3 as well as the pipe 5 the fiber laser range,
• - is a second drawn area 7 with the end regions of the pump fibers 4 and a portion of the glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass tubes 3 and the tube 5 the coupling region between pump fibers 4 and the glass fiber resulting from the glass cylinder with the partially active medium 2 and
• - remains a third area 8th as an end region in its shape. The first area 6 will continue as the second area 7 drawn.

there becomes the fiber laser range at a constant speed and subsequently the coupling region with continuously decreasing speed drawn.

Finally, the third area 8th with a reflective layer or an external seal as end mirror 9 for the glass fiber 2 Mistake.

This is a fiber laser 1 with a glass fiber 2 realized with the active medium. The active medium has a diameter of 10 μm to 100 μm inclusive. An area of fiberglass 2 with these surrounding ones from the glass tubes 3 The resulting tubular structure is a first and wider than the second area 7 pulled area 6 of the fiber laser 1 , An area of fiberglass 2 with these surrounding fine outer from the glass tubes 3 resulting tubular structure including the end portions of the pump fibers 4 is a second drawn area 7 , An area of fiberglass 2 with these surrounding glass tubes 3 and with pump fibers 4 is a third area 8th , This has a reflective layer or an external mirror as the end mirror 9 for the glass fiber 2 on.

The 2 shows a fiber laser 1 in a schematic side view.

The pump fibers 4 are in glass tubes 3 and / or in intermediate spaces of the glass tubes 3 arranged.

To the pump fibers 4 are diode lasers 10 coupled with a power of 10 W to 1000 W.

The 3 shows a fiber laser 1 with coupled diode lasers 10 in a principle Dar position.

2nd embodiment

A fiber laser 1 consists essentially of a fiberglass 2 with the active medium, this fiber 2 surrounding glass rods 11 and partially surrounding pump fibers 4 as well as glass tubes 3 ,

The 4 shows a fiber laser with a glass fiber 2 , Glass rods 11 , Pump fibers 4 and glass tubes 3 in a tube 5 in a section as a basic plan view.

• – ist ein erster gezogener Bereich 6 mit wenigstens einem Endenbereich sowohl des Glaszylinders mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium als auch der Glasstäbe 11 und der Glasrohre 3 sowie des Rohres 5 der Faserlaserbereich,
• – ist ein zweiter gezogener Bereich 7 mit den Endenbereichen der Pumpfasern 4 und einem Bereich des Glaszylinders mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium, der Glasstäbe 11, der Glasrohre 3 und des Rohres 5 der Koppelbereich zwischen Pumpfasern 4 und der aus dem Glaszylinder mit dem bereichsweise aktiven Medium entstehenden Glasfaser 2 und
• – verbleibt ein dritter Bereich 8 als Endenbereich in seiner Form. Der erste Bereich 6 wird weiter als der zweite Bereich 7 gezogen.

At least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser 1 is in the middle of a pipe 5 embedded. For this purpose, the glass cylinder is located with the partially active medium in these surrounding glass rods 11 , These glass rods 11 are still from glass tubes 3 surround. Between glass rods 11 and / or in place of glass rods 11 become pump fibers 4 for the fiber laser 1 placed so that the pump fibers 4 overlap the glass cylinder with the partially active medium. The glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass rods 11 , the glass tubes 3 , the pump fibers 4 and the pipe 5 are a preform, which is subsequently pulled in several stages. there

• - is a first drawn area 6 with at least one end region of both the glass cylinder with the partially active medium and the glass rods 11 and the glass tubes 3 as well as the pipe 5 the fiber laser range,
• - is a second drawn area 7 with the end regions of the pump fibers 4 and a region of the glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass rods 11 , the glass tubes 3 and the tube 5 the coupling region between pump fibers 4 and the glass fiber resulting from the glass cylinder with the partially active medium 2 and
• - remains a third area 8th as an end region in its shape. The first area 6 will continue as the second area 7 drawn.

there becomes the fiber laser range at a constant speed and subsequently the coupling region with continuously decreasing speed drawn.

Finally, the third area 8th with a reflective layer or an external seal as end mirror 9 for the glass fiber 2 Mistake.

This is a fiber laser 1 with a glass fiber 2 realized with the active medium. The active medium has a diameter of 10 μm to 100 μm inclusive. An area of fiberglass 2 with this surrounding photonic crystal structure from the glass rods 11 and fine outer from the glass tubes 3 The resulting tubular structure is a first and wider than the second area 7 pulled area 6 of the fiber laser 1 , An area of fiberglass 2 with this surrounding photonic crystal structure from the glass rods 11 including the end regions of pump fibers 4 and fine outer from the glass tubes 3 resulting tubular structure is a second drawn area 7 , An area of fiberglass 2 with these surrounding glass rods 11 , Pump fibers 4 and glass tubes 3 is a third area 8th , This has a reflective layer or an external mirror as the end mirror 9 for the glass fiber 2 on.

The 2 shows a fiber laser 1 in a schematic side view.

To the pump fibers 4 are diode lasers 10 coupled with a power of 10 W to 1000 W.

The 3 shows a fiber laser 1 with coupled diode lasers 10 in a schematic representation.

Claims (14)

Method for producing a fiber laser, characterized in that in a first step at least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser ( 1 ) and glass tubes ( 3 ) in at least one tube ( 5 ) are arranged so that the glass cylinder with the partially active medium in the glass tubes ( 3 ), that in a second step pump fibers ( 4 ) in the pipe ( 5 ) are placed so that the pump fibers ( 4 ) partially overlap the glass cylinder with the partially active medium that the glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass tubes ( 3 ) and the pump fibers ( 4 ) are a preform, that in at least a third step, the preform is drawn in a multi-stage manner so that a first drawn region ( 6 ) with at least one end region of both the glass cylinder with the partially active medium and the glass tubes ( 3 ) as well as the tube ( 5 ) is the fiber laser region, a second drawn region ( 7 ) with the end regions of the pump fibers ( 4 ) and a region of the glass cylinder with the partially active medium, the glass tubes ( 3 ) and the tube ( 5 ) the coupling region between pump fibers ( 4 ) and of the glass cylinder with the partially active medium resulting glass fiber ( 2 ) and a third area ( 8th ) remains in its shape as the end region, the first region ( 6 ) further than the second area ( 7 ) and that in a fourth step the third area ( 8th ) with a reflective layer or an external mirror as the end mirror ( 9 ) for the glass fiber ( 2 ) provided from the glass cylinder with the partially active medium becomes. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first step at least one glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser ( 1 ), Glass rods ( 11 ), Pump fibers ( 4 ) and glass tubes ( 3 ) in at least one tube ( 5 ) are arranged so that the glass cylinder with the partially active medium in glass rods ( 11 ) and pump fibers ( 4 ) is embedded. Method according to claim 1, characterized that the fiber laser range at a constant speed and subsequently the coupling region with continuously decreasing speed is pulled. Fiber laser comprising a glass fiber with the active medium, characterized in that a portion of the glass fiber ( 2 ) with fine outer glass tubes ( 3 ) a first and further as a second area ( 7 ) drawn area ( 6 ) of the fiber laser ( 1 ) is that an area of the glass fiber ( 2 ) with fine outer from the glass tubes ( 3 ), including the end regions of pump fibers ( 4 ) the second drawn area ( 7 ) is that an area of the glass fiber ( 2 ) with these surrounding glass tubes ( 3 ) and pump fibers ( 4 ) a third area ( 8th ) and that the third area ( 8th ) a reflective layer or an external mirror as end mirror ( 9 ) for the glass fiber ( 2 ) having. Fiber laser comprising a glass fiber with the active medium, characterized in that a portion of the glass fiber ( 2 ) with these surrounding glass rod formed photonic crystal structure and these surrounding fine outer glass tubes ( 3 ) a first and further as a second area ( 7 ) drawn area ( 6 ) of the fiber laser ( 1 ) is that an area of the glass fiber ( 2 ) with this surrounding formed from glass rods photonic crystal structure with the end portions of the pump fibers ( 4 ) and these surrounding fine outer from the glass tubes ( 3 ), the second drawn region ( 7 ) is that an area of the glass fiber ( 2 ) with these surrounding glass rods and pump fibers ( 4 ) and these surrounding glass tubes ( 3 ) a third area ( 8th ) and that the third area ( 8th ) a reflective layer or an external mirror as end mirror ( 9 ) for the glass fiber ( 2 ) having. Fiber laser according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the one formed from a multi-stage drawn preform fiber laser ( 1 ), wherein in at least one tube ( 5 ) a glass cylinder with the partially active medium of the fiber laser ( 1 ), the glass cylinder surrounding either glass tubes ( 3 ) and pump fibers ( 4 ) or glass rods, pump fibers and glass tubes ( 3 ) are arranged so that the pump fibers ( 4 ) overlap the glass cylinder with the partially active medium. Fiber laser according to claim 4, characterized in that the pump fibers ( 4 ) in glass tubes ( 3 ) and / or in intermediate spaces of the glass tubes ( 3 ) are arranged. Fiber laser according to claim 5, characterized in that the pump fibers ( 4 ) in interspaces of the glass rods ( 11 ) are arranged. Fiber laser according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the cross section of the second region ( 7 ) in the direction of the third area ( 8th ) continuously increased. Fiber laser according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the second region ( 7 ) is so long that the pump radiation completely into the glass fiber ( 2 ) overcoupled. Fiber laser according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the pump fibers ( 4 ) Diode laser ( 10 ) are coupled. Fiber laser according to claim 11, characterized in that the pump fibers ( 4 ) Diode laser ( 10 ) are coupled by splicing. Fiber laser according to Patent Claim 11, characterized in that the diode lasers ( 10 ) have a power of 10 W to 1000 W. Fiber laser according to claim 4 or 5, characterized characterized in that the active medium has a diameter of 10 microns to 100 microns inclusive.