The major position in laser processing field is rightly being given to the high-power fiber laser thanks to such quite qualities as high beam quality, energy efficiency, space efficiency, stability, and reliability. The fiber laser is a laser that uses an optical fiber as the active medium, which is usually has a rare-earth-doped core. The major active element used in the fiber lasers for material processing is ytterbium. this element provides light absorption (available for pumping) at wavelengths of 900-1000 nm, and fluorescence that causes laser oscillation lies at 1000-1100 nm.
Over the last decade, the performance advanced in high-power fiber lasers have been particularly impressive. It is making high-power fiber lasers a successful, fast increasing commercial business currently worth $800 M/year, with a compound annual growth rate of about 13%, which is the highest among the different laser technologies. The fiber technology has grown quite diverse and mature and can provide an excellent platform for fabricating result, high-performance laser systems. The core and cladding structures can be tailored appropriately to control the bean modality, optical nonlinearities, and such-up the power.
High-power fiber lasers are much more progressive and promising than traditional lasers using solids or gases as the active medium in many aspects. In order to ensure the high beam quality of fiber lasers, it is necessary to select the appropriate core diameter and difference of relative refractive indices, which can reduce the number of transverse modes. The CO2 laser also provides the high beam quality. In addition to this, fiber lasers and fiber laser systems based on a thin optical fiber with a diameter of several hundred micrometers as an active medium can easily be cooled and therefore attains high power output while maintaining the laser beam quality. Also, high-power fiber lasers have very low loss of pump and laser light because they are both confined and guided in the low-loss fiber core. The high quantum efficiency of ytterbium serving as the active element leads to 60-70% efficiency in energy conversion from pump light to laser light. In virtue of these factors, laser systems on the basis of the optical fiber achieve a high output power with a high energy conversion efficiency while maintaining a high beam quality. Owing to the very high energy conversion efficiency and a resonator consisting of fine fiber and small optical components, high-power fiber lasers have a far smaller heat dissipation mechanism and power supply, and thus far smaller overall dimensions and weight than traditional high-power lasers. Also, it should be noted, such lasers constructed by fusion-splicing optical fibers are not influenced by vibration, shock, or temperature changes, and therefore have stable output power and stable high beam quality. Besides the above-mentioned factors, high-power fiber lasers are practically maintenance-free due to the fact that the paths of the beam are not exposed to the atmosphere.
Optromix is a fiber laser manufacturer that develops cutting-edge laser systems and new fiber optic technologies. We produce unique fiber laser scientific systems and specialize in single frequency fiber laser products. We manufacture lasers using our own technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of international R&D team. Laser processes are high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. Our company is constantly developing new laser systems that can potentially be used for fiber laser powered solar sails.
If you are interested in fiber laser systems, please contact us at info@optromix.com
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