IPG Photonics has filed a patent for a laser head designed for high power fiber laser systems. The laser head features a compact housing, measuring 5 to 10 mm in height, that encloses an input collimator assembly and a multi-cascaded nonlinear frequency converter. The input collimator assembly collimates a single mode pump light at a maximum power of 2 kW, while the frequency converter converts the fundamental frequency into a higher harmonic with a maximum power of 1 kW. The housing also contains electronic and light guiding optical components, with the bottom of the housing serving as an electro-optical printed circuit board (EO PCB) that supports the various components. GlobalData’s report on IPG Photonics gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on IPG Photonics, Welding robots was a key innovation area identified from patents. IPG Photonics's grant share as of September 2023 was 50%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Laser head for high power fiber laser system
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230307882A1) describes a laser head for a high power fiber laser system. The laser head includes a housing that is 5 to 10 mm high and has a bottom. An input collimator assembly is mounted to the housing and is used to collimate a single mode pump light at a fundamental frequency and maximum power of 2 kW. The laser head also includes a multi-cascaded nonlinear frequency converter located in the housing, which converts the fundamental frequency into a higher harmonic. The converted light at the higher frequency has a maximum power of 1 kW. The housing also contains a variety of electronic and light guiding optical components, all mounted on an electro-optical printed circuit board (EO PCB) at designated locations.
The patent also describes that the multi-cascaded nonlinear frequency converter includes two or more sequentially located second harmonic generator assemblies, each generating a second harmonic of the fundamental frequency. The pump light is coupled into the input collimator assembly at a desired fundamental wavelength in a 1 µm spectral range. The converted light at the second harmonic can be either Green light at a desired wavelength with a maximum power of 1 kW or Red light at a desired wavelength with a maximum power of 750 kW.
The input collimator assembly of the laser head is configured with a holder, a collimator, a quartz end block, and a ferrule. The assembly also includes a light blocker that reflects backreflected light. The light blocker can be configured with two plates or two blocks, both of which are mounted on the holder and can be displaced towards each other to create a recess for the delivery fiber. The laser head also includes a fiber connector mounted to an input port of the housing, which maintains a near hermetic interior of the housing and is shielded from the backreflected light by the light blocker and ferrule.
The patent further describes the design of the nonlinear frequency conversion assemblies, which include crystal holders mounted on the EO PCB. The crystal holders have flexible brackets that press against the nonlinear crystal, ensuring contact regardless of expansion or contraction of the crystal. The crystal holder also includes a base with studs, a thermoelectric cooler, and a dielectric insulation layer.
Additionally, the laser head includes clips made of sheet metal material that prevent the optical components from disengagement. The clips have a C-shaped cross-section and are soldered to the EO PCB. The laser head also includes output collimator assemblies for guiding the light at the higher frequency outside the housing and a dump assembly for guiding unconverted pump light outside the housing.
Overall, this patent describes a laser head design for a high power fiber laser system that includes various components and features to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
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