A fiber-optic or fiber laser is a laser system where the active amplification medium is represented by an optical fiber. It is doped with rare-earth elements such as erbium, ytterbium, neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium, thulium, and holmium. They are related to doped fiber optic amplifiers, which provide laser beam light amplification without generation.
Fiber nonlinearities in laser systems, such as stimulated Raman scattering or four-wave mixing, can also provide amplification and thus serve as an amplifying medium for the fiber laser. The distinctive features of fiber laser systems over other types of lasers lies in the following: laser beam light is generated and delivered using an inherently flexible medium, which makes it easier to deliver it to the focus point and target.
This can be important for laser system cutting, welding, and joining metals and polymers. Another advantage is the high power laser beam output. Fiber lasers can have active regions several kilometers long and can, therefore, provide very high optical gain. These laser systems can maintain kilowatt levels of continuous output power due to the high fiber optic surface-area-to-volume ratio, which provides efficient cooling.
The waveguide properties of the optical fiber reduce or eliminate thermal distortion of the optical path, usually creating a diffraction-limited high-quality laser beam. Fiber lasers are compact compared to solid-state or gas laser systems of comparable laser beam power since the fiber can be bent and coiled, except for thicker rod structures to save space. They have a lower cost.
Fiber lasers are reliable and have high temperature and vibrational stability, as well as long service life. The peak laser beam output power and short pulses make the marking and engraving perfectly clear and readable. The ability to increase the power of the fiber laser systems and perfect laser beam quality produce smooth cutting edges of high roughness and fast cutting speed of metals.
Laser technology for processing, which was born about three decades ago, is currently experiencing the peak of its development and popularity. Modern fiber laser technology is rapidly being introduced into industrial production and advertising business, often replacing traditional methods of material processing. The focused laser beam of adjustable power turned out to be an ideal “working tool” for the creators of new equipment. The fiber laser for cutting and marking, welding and surfacing, as a material processing tool, works quickly and does not wear out, it is economical, highly accurate, and its impact is easy to control and manage.
The principle of laser system processing is the effect of a focused laser beam on the surface of the processed product. The result of this action is a change in the structure and color of the material, its melting, and evaporation of the surface layers of the material or coatings. Fiber laser cutting as a high-precision tool allows producing products with minimal material consumption and without additional processing of the cutting edges.
Optromix is a fast-growing fiber laser manufacturer and a vendor of optical fiber sensors and optical monitoring systems. The company offers fast turnkey solutions and creates sophisticated fiber laser systems for special purposes. Optromix uses only its technologies and develops a broad variety of fiber lasers. If you have any questions or would like to buy a laser system, please contact us at info@optromix.com
