Method and apparatus for controlling wavelength and dominant mode in fiber lasers
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting output characteristics of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly, comprising the steps of:
- a) affixing a first end of the fiber to a base;
b) affixing a second end of the fiber to a rotatable device;
c) linearly stretching the laser fiber by causing a distance between the base and the rotatable device to increase;
d) axially twisting the laser fiber by rotating the rotatable device; and
e) affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting output characteristics of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly, comprising the steps of:
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a) affixing a first end of the fiber to a base;
b) affixing a second end of the fiber to a rotatable device;
c) linearly stretching the laser fiber by causing a distance between the base and the rotatable device to increase;
d) axially twisting the laser fiber by rotating the rotatable device; and
e) affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of tuning an output wavelength and dominant mode of a fiber laser disposed in a laser assembly comprising a substrate and a dynamic tuning assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) rough-tuning the laser to an approximate target wavelength and isolating a dominant mode during manufacture, by the steps of;
a. linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify an output wavelength;
b. axially twisting the laser fiber so as to isolate the dominant mode of oscillation;
c. monitoring the output wavelength and dominant mode of the fiber laser during stretching and twisting until the desired characteristics of wavelength and dominant mode are reached; and
d. connecting the laser fiber to the laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition; and
b) fine-tuning the laser to a substantially exact wavelength during normal operation, by manipulating the dynamic tuning assembly to modify a length of the laser fiber.
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13. A method for adjusting output characteristics of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly, comprising the steps of:
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a) linearly stretching the laser fiber within a range of from about 0 to about 500 μ
m;
b) axially twisting the laser fiber within a range of from about −
360°
to about +360°
; and
c) affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification