Tag: high beam quality laser

Fiber lasers provide communication of small satellites

The fact is numerous difficulties have to be overcome in linking small satellites via fiber lasers, however, progress is remarkable. The idea of laser system communication is not new and dates back to the birth of fiber lasers. Nevertheless, the first inter-satellite link provided by the fiber laser system has been recently demonstrated between two low-Earth-orbit satellites.

It should be noted that the laser system requires less than 25 seconds on average to lock onto each other and begins transmission in both directions at 5.6 Gbit/s. The fiber technology has been tested: “the two spacecraft were in a line of sight from each other, an average of about 20 minutes during which the laser beam link between them turned about 80°.”

Herewith, NASA demonstrated the first fiber laser connection in deep space when its laser system device provided data transmission from the Moon at 622 Mbit/s. The laser technology offers a big improvement over data rates real with radio waves. The first commercial laser system inter-satellite link was performed in 2016 resulting in the transmission of high-priority image data collected by four satellites in low-Earth orbit at rates of 1.8 Gbit/s.

To be more precise, the high-speed fiber laser system in the low satellite allows tracking the geosynchronous satellite, that is why it can transmit images quickly, without the necessity to wait to pass over a ground station. Also, its high-speed fiber laser connection enables transmitting images to cloud servers on the ground. Herewith, a totally new vision has appeared for laser system link in space: applying fiber laser-connected satellites in low-Earth orbit to transmit broadband Internet and other services to places beyond the reach of fiber optic cables.

Hundreds or thousands of small satellites are orbited 300 and 2000 km above the ground, while at least one satellite should be always in the sky above any point being served. Moreover, these satellites would orbit around the Earth in several rings, located at various altitudes and positions to get rid of collisions. Thus, satellites would be located around each ring so fiber laser system connections would always have access to one or two adjacent satellites.

Finally, links provided by fiber lasers have crucial benefits over radio frequencies for inter-satellite links above the atmosphere, for instance, higher transmission bandwidth, smaller receivers, and tighter laser beams to enhance security. The main difficulty in the optical fiber band remains and includes the requirement to maintain fiber laser links between adjacent satellites as the whole constellation moves through space and the nearest neighbors of each satellite keep changing.

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

Fiber laser of super-pulsed type offers several benefits

Researchers from the USA apply super pulsed fiber laser to treat stones, herewith, they also discovered several benefits compared with holmium laser system lithotripsy. Nevertheless, further research comparing the two is still required. The super pulsed fiber laser system is considered to be a new lithotripsy platform that differs from the holmium one used for the treatment of kidney stones.

To be more precise, compared to the holmium laser system that used 200-μm to 365-μm optical fibers, the super pulsed fiber laser enables the application of 150-μm core-sized optical fibers. The researchers demonstrate “a comparison of lithotripsy with 242-μm core-sized optical fiber holmium: YAG (AccuMax 200), to the 150-μm core-sized SPTF.”

The thulium fiber laser platform provides a benefit compared to the holmium: it has a compact size and can be plugged into a 120-volt outlet as a standard mobile phone. Another benefit of fiber laser technology includes the absence of noise. Herewith, the super pulsed laser system provides settings that the holmium does not, containing high-frequency settings up to 2400 Hz. Therefore, the fiber laser system allows dusting or fragmenting kidney stones.

The fiber laser technology provides high efficiency in stone treatment due to the high absorption of the laser beam energy by water. “The laser beam energy is emitted at a wavelength of 1,940 nm, which is at the tip of the curve for water absorption. For that reason, it is probably more effective than the holmium laser system.” Also, the small profile of the laser beam generated by the super pulsed fiber laser makes it possible to use smaller optical fibers—as low as 50 μm, based on bench testing while holmium laser systems use fibers greater than 200 μm.

Consequently, the application of smaller optical fibers ensures three other benefits. The first is smaller fibers provide a better flexion to direct the system inside the kidney easier. Additionally, smaller optical fibers have better irrigation during the procedure with a better visualization. The third benefit includes the delivery of laser beam energy in a smaller area of the stone, producing fragments that are smaller dust-type fragments. Thus, virtually all patients with kidney stones who can be treated with the fiber laser system would benefit from fiber laser technology.

Finally, the super pulsed fiber laser is planned to be applied for a retrograde technique in patients that have larger stones that cannot be exposed to the percutaneous approach for reasons such as other comorbidities because it has the potential to be faster in terms of breaking up the stones.

fiber laser systems high beam quality laser laser beam

Laser beam pulses make optical fibers act as gun

A team of researchers from the U.S. has developed a new fiber laser technology that allows for stimulating the emission of electrons from the tip of an optical fiber by a laser beam pulse passing through the fiber. It should be noted that according to previous researches, it is possible to use these nanotips of optical fibers as electron sources if they are stimulated by laser beam light. Nevertheless, this light had to be originated from an external source before.

To be more precise, now a light pulse from a fiber laser passing along the optical fiber can lead to the appearance of electrons instead of previous techniques. Such fiber laser technology provides more efficient nanoscale imaging and sensing applications making it possible to add electrons from previously challenging angles or locations.

For example, previously the optical fiber tips had to be tracked by laser systems, and this was considered to be more challenging technologically. Therefore, this problem limits the ability to tale images quickly and from any position. The promising solution is electron emission techniques that lowered the necessary laser beam power thanks to the proper design of the nano-scale tip of the optical fiber.

“If the optical fiber terminates in a tapered gold-coated nanotip of the correct dimensions, then the field intensity for a pulse of fiber laser light going through the fiber would demonstrate a distinct hot-spot at the tip, sufficient to stimulate electron ejection.” The fiber laser technology has been already tested on a femtosecond laser system to emit ultrashort laser beam pulses through an optical fiber with 50-nanometer-radius nanotip coated with gold film.

The test results demonstrate the appearance of controlled electron emission as the result of stimulation from the gold-coated nanotip of optical fiber. Additionally, the electric field increases by specific wavelengths of laser beam light. Herewith, a similar result can be achieved with a less powerful continuous-wave laser system, if the voltage at the tip is enhanced to compensate it.

It should be noted that this is the smallest laser beam intensity capable to cause electron emission from nanotips. Thus, nowadays it is possible to use a low-cost laser system instead of expensive ones. If you are looking for a compact highly-efficient laser system, the Optromix company is ready to manufacture it.

Optromix is a manufacturer of laser systems, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We develop and manufacture a broad variety of fiber lasers, high-powered fiber lasers, and other types. We offer simple laser products, as well as sophisticated fiber laser systems with unique characteristics, based on the client’s inquiry.

We manufacture laser modules using our technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of the international R&D team. Laser processes are of high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions or would like to buy a fiber laser system, please contact us at info@optromix.com

fiber laser high beam quality laser laser system

Optimizing fiber laser processes

According to experts, understanding requirements of such processes as laser system welding, fiber laser cutting, and laser beam marking as well as the production facility promotes the development of a reliable system for the production that will increase the production rate and yield.

Nowadays numerous companies prefer to apply a define – design – deliver methodology that allows defining not only the equipment but also the best process through clear system design. Therefore, the understanding of fiber laser processes pays a crucial role in success as the laser beam source itself.

It should be noted that it is necessary to pay careful attention to not only basics but also other factors, for example, the climate of a factory can influence the range of potential optimal solutions. The thing is that some fiber laser systems may not operate as expected in a facility located near the equator that lacks air conditioning.

Herewith, although customer needs define the choice of materials, they may not always be suitable for laser system welding. Nonetheless, experienced engineers can help ensure a successful laser beam process. For instance, one customer wanted to move from resistance welding to fiber laser welding but brass includes too much zinc to be effectively laser welded resulting in replacement of brass with bronze or pure copper.

Additionally, the choice of fiber laser system equipment is also essential. “Unlike resistance welding, laser beam welding is a non-contact process and doesn’t utilize electrodes to hold parts in place, so customers must develop part fixturing to hold parts in place during welding.”

It is possible to revise the laser system process itself to unlock production potential. Some customers prefer to perform a butt weld to join two pieces with beveled or round edges, however, the efficiency of metal welding suffers in this case. Thus, specialists recommend not to perform welding rounded corners, and instead implement a laser beam process in which operators can round off corners after the weld has been completed.

When samples meet the required parameters, it is necessary to design a favorable solution. Herewith, there are two options for laser system welding: pulsed and fiber laser systems. Both laser technologies offer virtually the same performance but have different serviceability. To be more precise, the impulsed laser system is considered to be field serviceable, whereas a fiber laser must be sent back to the factory for repair and servicing. Nevertheless, the choice of specific system depends on process-specific requirements.

high beam quality laser laser beam laser system