Packaged laser diode array system and method with reduced asymmetry
First Claim
1. A method for efficient collimation of an aligned multiple beam output coupled from a diode laser bar to a lens system to conserve source brightness and output uniformity, comprising the steps of:
- orienting the laser diode bar having multiple beam outputs substantially in straight-line alignment in a manner that its longitudinal length is aligned along a direction substantially parallel to a gravity vector; and
orienting the lens system in a manner that its longitudinal axis is aligned along a direction substantially parallel to the gravity vector so that both the laser diode bar and the lens system are prevented from sagging as in the case where its longitudinal axis is aligned along a direction substantially perpendicular to the gravity vector so that substantially straight-line alignment of the lens system is maintained with the straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for operating a high power laser diode device with high efficiency coupling of a laser diode bar. The laser diode bar and a micro-cylinder lens are vertically oriented in a device package, such that the array axis of the laser bar and the longitudinal axis of the micro-cylinder lens are aligned substantially parallel to a gravity vector. In the two different embodiments disclosed, either initial collimation of the fast-axis divergence or, alternatively, initial collimation of both the fast-axis and slow-axis divergences take place before beam reformatting via a beam array turning mirror. Additionally, the vertical orientation of these components is combined with methods of compensating for the bending or "smile" of the laser diode bar to provide for optimal output beam coupling, resulting in a uniform far field intensity distribution.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for efficient collimation of an aligned multiple beam output coupled from a diode laser bar to a lens system to conserve source brightness and output uniformity, comprising the steps of:
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orienting the laser diode bar having multiple beam outputs substantially in straight-line alignment in a manner that its longitudinal length is aligned along a direction substantially parallel to a gravity vector; and orienting the lens system in a manner that its longitudinal axis is aligned along a direction substantially parallel to the gravity vector so that both the laser diode bar and the lens system are prevented from sagging as in the case where its longitudinal axis is aligned along a direction substantially perpendicular to the gravity vector so that substantially straight-line alignment of the lens system is maintained with the straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A multiple light beam assembly providing for high output beam coupling efficiency through enhanced beam alignment and uniformity, comprising:
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a laser diode bar having a plurality of individual laser diode sources providing multiple beam outputs substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of said bar, said laser diode array oriented substantially parallel to a gravity vector so that the sagging of the laser diode bar is prevented providing a substantially straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs oriented along the gravity vector; and a lens system optically coupled to receive said straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs of said laser diode bar and collimate said outputs in a least one orthogonal direction, a longitudinal axis of said lens system oriented substantially parallel to the gravity vector so that the sagging of the lens system is also prevented so that substantially straight-line alignment of the lens system is maintained with the straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A multiple light beam assembly providing for high output beam coupling efficiency, comprising:
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a laser diode bar having a plurality of individual laser diode sources providing multiple beam outputs substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of said bar, said laser diode array oriented substantially parallel to a gravity vector so that the sagging of the laser diode bar is prevented providing a substantially straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs oriented along the gravity vector; and a lens system optically coupled to receive said aligned multiple beam output of said laser diode bar comprising a first lens to collimate said aligned multiple beam output in a first orthogonal direction and a second lens to collimate said aligned multiple beam output in a second orthogonal direction, a longitudinal axis of both of said lens oriented substantially parallel to the gravity vector so that the sagging of the lens system is also prevented so that substantially straight-line alignment of the lens system is maintained with the straight-line alignment of the multiple beam outputs; and a turning mirror optically coupled to receive the orthogonally collimated multiple beam output from said lens system and reformat the orientation of multiple beam output of said laser diode bar. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification