EP3987331A1 - Élément de sortie en fibres - Google Patents

Élément de sortie en fibres

Info

Publication number
EP3987331A1
EP3987331A1 EP20735288.1A EP20735288A EP3987331A1 EP 3987331 A1 EP3987331 A1 EP 3987331A1 EP 20735288 A EP20735288 A EP 20735288A EP 3987331 A1 EP3987331 A1 EP 3987331A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
glass fibers
optical element
cores
fiber
open ends
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20735288.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Theeg
Tony PULZER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FiberBridge Photonics GmbH
Original Assignee
FiberBridge Photonics GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FiberBridge Photonics GmbH filed Critical FiberBridge Photonics GmbH
Priority to EP24183678.2A priority Critical patent/EP4431990A3/fr
Priority to EP24178966.8A priority patent/EP4414759A3/fr
Publication of EP3987331A1 publication Critical patent/EP3987331A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/262—Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2551—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding using thermal methods, e.g. fusion welding by arc discharge, laser beam, plasma torch
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2552—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding reshaping or reforming of light guides for coupling using thermal heating, e.g. tapering, forming of a lens on light guide ends
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/32—Optical coupling means having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/34—Optical coupling means utilising prism or grating

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fiber exit element according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for producing a fiber exit element according to claim 18 and a processing device for producing a fiber exit element according to claim 24.
  • Optical fibers are used in many different technical fields today.
  • the use of glass fibers for light transmission belongs to the technical and especially high-tech applications.
  • glass fibers are used for data transmission using light; in this case, the glass fibers can also be referred to as optical waveguides or as passive glass fibers.
  • Glass fibers are also used in medicine, for example, for lighting and for generating images, for example in microscopes, in inspection cameras and in endoscopes.
  • glass fibers are used in sensors, which can then be referred to as fiber optic sensors.
  • the laser radiation can be conducted as signal light radiation by means of a passive glass fiber from a laser radiation source as a signal light source or as a signal light radiation source to a processing point, for example in material processing or in medicine Cutting or welding.
  • the laser beam can also be supplied to a sample as laser radiation in this way, for example in measurement technology, in microscopy or in spectroscopy.
  • Passive glass fibers can be used to guide a laser beam, for example, in mechanical engineering, telecommunications, medical technology and sensor technology.
  • Fibers can also be used to generate or amplify laser light and are referred to as active glass fibers.
  • Fiber lasers for generating laser light or fiber amplifiers for amplifying laser light have a doped fiber core (see below) which forms the active medium of the fiber laser or the fiber amplifier, ie its active glass fiber.
  • Usual doping elements of the laser-active fiber core are in particular neodymium, ytterbium, erbium, thulium and holmium.
  • Fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers are used, among other things, in the industry for Short pulse laser systems are used (for example at a wavelength of approx. 1 pm), in measurement technology (for example for LIDAR measurements - laser detection and ranging), in medical applications (for example at a wavelength of approx. 2 pm) or in Space applications (for example at a wavelength of approx. 1.5 pm).
  • Glass fibers which are used to amplify the signal light such as the laser radiation in fiber amplifiers or to generate laser radiation in fiber lasers, usually have a fiber core, which consists of pure glass such as pure quartz glass and in the case of passive glass fibers is often doped with germanium; In the case of active glass fibers, doping as described above is usually used. In certain cases, the fiber cladding can also be doped; this applies to passive and active glass fibers. Depending on the size and the numerical aperture of the fiber core, a distinction can be made between single-mode and multi-mode glass fibers. In addition, the fiber core can also have polarization-maintaining properties for the light and can therefore be referred to as polarization-maintaining glass fibers (PM).
  • PM polarization-maintaining glass fibers
  • the fiber core is usually surrounded radially from the outside by at least one fiber cladding (English: fiber cladding) which is usually closed in the circumferential direction and thus completely surrounds the fiber core, apart from the two open ends of the glass fiber.
  • fiber cladding English: fiber cladding
  • Both passive glass fibers and active glass fibers are usually surrounded by a fiber coating made of, for example, polymer comparable to the fiber cladding, which can then be assigned to the glass fiber.
  • the fiber coating can serve to mechanically protect the glass interior of the glass fiber and influence its optical properties.
  • the fiber coating is primarily used for mechanical protection. Glass fibers that guide light in the fiber core and in the fiber cladding (English: double-clad glass fibers) are usually carried out with a fiber coating to meet mechanical and optical properties.
  • Two cross-sectional shapes for the fiber cladding that occur frequently in practice are cylindrical and octagonal.
  • the octagonal shape for the fiber cladding is used in particular for active glass fibers.
  • Such glass fibers can be produced in great lengths and are usually available as rolls.
  • the diameter of the fiber cladding usually varies between approx. 80 ⁇ m and approx. 1 mm.
  • fiber rods are often used, especially for larger fiber diameters.
  • a signal light radiation input as an interface for the feed or for the coupling of the signal light radiation to be amplified as input radiation from outside the fiber amplifier
  • a pump light coupler which transfers the pump light radiation from the pump light source into the jacket of the transports active glass fiber
  • a pump light trap that picks up unabsorbed pump light from the active glass fiber or removes it from the cladding of the glass fiber
  • a signal light radiation output that shapes and / or guides the output radiation and thereby decouples it to the outside of the fiber amplifier and makes it available .
  • the signal light radiation output can also be referred to as a fiber exit element or as a fiber exit optic.
  • a pump light coupler In the case of a fiber laser, a pump light coupler, an active glass fiber, a pump light trap and a signal light radiation output are also usually used. Since here no signal light radiation is fed in from outside, but the laser radiation is generated inside the fiber resonator between two reflectors or mirror elements, the signal light radiation input is omitted.
  • An optical window with an anti-reflective coating on one side for the corresponding wavelengths or a lens for collimation of the output radiation can serve as a signal light radiation output or as a fiber exit element.
  • the fiber exit optics can also be another glass fiber that guides the output radiation to a destination.
  • Such fiber exit optics are usually cohesively connected to the open end of the glass fiber, for example by welding, also called splicing.
  • the signal light or the laser light can pass directly into the fiber exit optics, for example as an optical window or as a lens, and from there exit to the outside, for example of the fiber amplifier or fiber laser.
  • the beam of the signal light or the laser light can be widened, i.e. increase its cross-section and thereby reduce its power density, which can be beneficial or necessary for certain applications.
  • US Pat. No. 6,819,858 B2 describes a shaped folding made of non-crystalline polymer material, which is configured such that it has a channel for folding a silicon chip with a plurality of V-grooves lying next to one another, which are formed in an upper surface between right and left 39ab cut thereof are, wherein a recessed area is provided in the channel behind the chip for receiving a fiber buffer coating and a notch is formed in an upper portion of the fold tion between the channel and a side portion thereof to hold reinforcing fibers of an optical fiber cable, the V Groove is configured to accept individual optical fibers at a time. Two such molded folds with silicon chips are securely layered together with the V-groove of the chips facing each other to hold the optical fibers therebetween.
  • the US 6,978,073 B2 describes an optical fiber array comprising an alignment substrate, a large number of ferrule elements and a large number of optical fibers.
  • the alignment substrate has a plurality of guide holes that are two-dimensionally arranged and extend through the substrate.
  • the ferrules are each inserted into the guide holes in the same direction and have through holes in the central sections.
  • the optical fibers are fitted and held in the respective through holes.
  • the guide hole is formed into a cylindrical shape, the diameter of which is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ferrule.
  • the light entry / exit end face of the optical fiber is exposed on one end face of the ferrule.
  • the disadvantage of the two publications described above is their mechanically positive and / or non-positive Falt of the individual glass fibers, which can be seen as less stable, defined and or or durable compared to the previously described material welding or splicing.
  • the mechanical forces of these connections can also generate mechanical tensions within the glass fibers held, which can influence the optical transmission behavior of the glass fibers. In particular, this can take place in an undefined manner and have a disruptive effect on the signal light transmission.
  • a further disadvantage here is that with this procedure the free ends of the glass fibers, which form the interface between the material of the glass fiber such as glass and the environment such as air, when transmitting medium and high optical powers of a few watts to a few Kilowatts can be easily damaged or destroyed.
  • US 2012/045169 A1 describes a method and an apparatus for forming an optical fiber array assembly, comprising: providing a plurality of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, providing a fiber array plate which has a first upper surface and a second surface, connecting the plurality of optical fibers to the first surface of the fiber array plate, transmitting a plurality of optical signals through the optical fibers into the fiber array plate on the first surface of the fiber array plate, and emitting a composite output beam with Light of the plurality of optical signals from the second surface of the fiber array plate.
  • the majority of the optical fibers are butt welded to the first surface of the fiber array plate.
  • the disadvantage of connecting the open end of at least one glass fiber to an optical element of a fiber exit optic is that both when gluing using an additional adhesive and when fusing or welding the materials of the glass fiber and the optical element, there is material between the open end the glass fiber and the entrance surface of the optical element can get. This can lead to interference in the coupling or transmission of the signal light radiation from the core of the glass fiber into the optical element at its entrance surface.
  • the open end is butted onto the entry surface of the optical ele mentes and connected to one another in a materially bonded manner by gluing using an additional adhesive or by fusing or welding the materials of the glass fiber and the optical element, only one can be comparatively mechanically weak connection between tween the open end of the glass fiber and the optical element at its entrance surface can be achieved.
  • the alignment of the open end of the glass fiber with respect to the entry surface of the optical element can also differ in the case of uneven bonding or welding against the butt, i.e. vertical th, change placement, which has a corresponding effect on the propagation of the signal light of the glass fiber through the optical element and even lead to the manufactured component being unusable.
  • a further disadvantage is that the entry surface and other surfaces of the optical element on the outside of the sen exit surface can be optically roughened. This can be used to reduce stray light radiation in the optical element, for example from the cladding of the glass fibers or reflected signal light radiation from the exit surface of the optical element, to be extracted from the optical element or diffusely reflected.
  • the reduction of such stray light radiation can be absolutely necessary for the implementation of the respective application or the reduction of the susceptibility of the laser system to interference, particularly with higher optical powers. If the open end of the glass fiber is placed on such an optically roughened entry surface and there is a materially bonded edge there, the transition of the signal light radiation from the core of the glass fiber into the optical element can also be impaired by the roughened surface.
  • the impairments can, for example, have a significant effect on the signal transmission at the connection point, the beam quality or the polarization of the signal light radiation.
  • the complete optical element as a fiber arrangement (fiber array plate) and the connected laser systems can be destroyed. If, therefore, the roughened entry surface is dispensed with, the advantages of a roughened surface cannot be used, at least for the entry surface of the optical element.
  • a spatially as compact as possible arrangement of several glass fibers in the area of the fiber exit element should be made light.
  • the highest possible mechanical stability of the connection between the glass fiber or glass fibers and the optical element of the fiber exit element should be achieved.
  • a transition of the signal light from the glass fiber into the optical element of the fiber exit element should be achieved that is as undisturbed as possible.
  • the design options for several glass fibers in the area of the fiber exit element should be increased. At least an alternative to known fiber exit elements should be created.
  • the present invention thus relates to a fiber exit element with a plurality of glass fibers each with at least one core, which is each designed to guide signal light radiation, which can in particular be laser radiation.
  • the fiber exit element can also be referred to as a signal light radiation exit, as a fiber exit optics or as a fiber array.
  • the fiber outlet element also has at least one optical element, preferably an optical window, an optical lens, an optical beam splitter or an optical prism, which is connected and formed with an open end of the cores of the glass fibers, the signal light radiation from the open To obtain ends of the cores of the glass fibers and to deliver them to the outside as exit radiation via at least one exit area.
  • each of the glass fibers has at least two ends, one end of which, as described above, is connected to the same optical element together with the corresponding ends of the remaining glass fibers.
  • the fiber exit element is characterized in that the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably also the open ends of the sheaths of the glass fibers that essentially surround the cores, each have a penetration depth, preferably opposite an entry surface of the optical element, within the material of the optical Element are arranged, wherein at least the material of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably also the material of the open ends of the cladding of the glass fibers, is fused to the material of the optical element.
  • the open ends of at least the cores of the glass fibers and preferably also their sheaths are arranged within the material of the optical element and there connected and held with the material of the optical element by fusing the materials together.
  • the optical properties of the signal light radiation can be retained when the signal light radiation passes from the respective core of the glass fiber into the optical element.
  • the mechanical stability of the connection of the open ends of the glass fibers or their cores or their sheaths with respect to the optical element can also be improved in this way.
  • the optical element also serves for beam shaping of the exit radiation or the exit beam combined therefrom.
  • the material of the optical element can be melted at least in this area by heating, so that the open ends of the glass fibers are immersed in the melted material of the optical element and the melted material of the optical element then cools down or solidifies again can.
  • the depth of penetration of the glass fibers into the material of the optical element can be selected depending on the application in such a way that the properties and advantages described above can be achieved depending on the materials and shapes of the glass fibers and the optical element.
  • the depth of penetration of the glass fibers into the material of the optical element can be understood vorzugswei se relative to an entrance surface of the optical element, the entrance surface of the optical element being that outer surface of the optical element via which the glass fibers reach the optical element and in its material penetration.
  • the optical properties of the exit rays which can also be viewed as a combined exit ray, can also be influenced by means of the penetration depth.
  • the depth of penetration is dimensioned such that the open end is arranged within the material of the optical element and perpendicular to the elongate Chen extension direction of the glass fibers is laterally enclosed.
  • the depth of penetration is preferably at least as great as the diameter of the core, preferably of the cladding, of the open end of the glass fibers and / or or deeper than the maximum structure depth of an optically rough or optically roughened surface.
  • the optical element is connected in the region of an entry surface with at least some, preferably with all, open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably also with the open ends of the sheaths of the glass fibers that essentially surround the cores, the optical Element from the entry surface to the exit surface is at least partially formed, preferably completely, preferably step-shaped or continuous, increasingly widening.
  • the entry area of the optical element is smaller than its exit area or the cross section of the optical element increases from the entry area to the exit area.
  • the transition from the entry surface to the exit surface can be straight or even step-shaped, for example in the form of rectangular steps but also as a wave shape.
  • interference radiation within the optical element comes into contact more frequently with the side surface or jacket surface or with the side surfaces or jacket surfaces of the optical element, whereby the extraction of the interference radiation out of the optical element can be improved.
  • the entry surface of the optical element can be reduced and thereby adjusted to the surface of the previously melting glass fibers, whereby the volume can be reduced, which is to be heated on the part of the optical element for melting. This can simplify, accelerate and / or reduce the energy required here for the merging.
  • material for forming the optical element can also be saved and / or the space required for the optical element can be kept small. This also makes it possible to provide options for influencing the propagation of the signal radiation within the optical element as well as the exit radiation.
  • the entry face and the exit face of the optical element are aligned parallel or at an angle to one another.
  • the propagation of the signal radiation within the optical element and the exit radiation can be influenced.
  • a parallel alignment of the entry surface and the exit surface of the optical element can simplify the production of the optical element and thereby reduce its costs.
  • By aligning the exit surface at an angle with respect to the entrance surface of the optical element back reflections of the signal light radiation from the optical element can be reduced back into the glass fibers. be adorned.
  • the exit radiation at the exit surface of the optical element can also be specifically deflected and the length of the respective beam path can be influenced.
  • At least the entrance surface of the optical element preferably all outer surfaces of the optical element except the exit surface of the optical element, are optically roughened and at least the exit surface of the optical element, preferably precisely the exit surface of the optical element, is with optically smooth surface quality.
  • An optically roughened surface can for example be done by means of machining with a mechanical tool such as grinding, but also by means of a laser beam as a tool.
  • An optically smooth surface can also take place by means of machining with a mechanical tool such as, for example, by polishing, but also by means of a laser beam as a tool.
  • An optically smooth surface quality is given if the necessary optical properties can largely be obtained for the respective application at the corresponding wavelength or in the corresponding wavelength range of the signal light radiation when exiting the exit surface or a corresponding optical coating can be applied professionally .
  • the scratch-dig specification of the MIL-PRF-13830B standard is often used to evaluate the surface quality.
  • An optically roughened surface of the optical element can be advantageous for its outer surfaces, apart from the exit surface, in order to allow interfering radiation to exit the optical element and thereby reduce the volume of the optical element.
  • Such stray light can be cladding light from the cladding of the glass fibers.
  • the signal radiation can also be reflected on the side surfaces of the optical element.
  • signal light radiation can be partially reflected in the optical element on the exit surface in the form of interference light.
  • signal light radiation can reach the optical element again by reflection from the outside, for example from the processing or application location of the signal light radiation.
  • an optically roughened surface can be advantageous to reduce the said stray light radiation in the optical element and thus to ensure a safe operating state.
  • the optical element preferably an entry surface of the optical element, has at least one depression with a depth, at least some, preferably all, of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably also the material of the cores in the Substantially enclosing sheaths of the glass fibers with the depth of penetration opposite the recess are arranged within the material of the optical element.
  • the open ends of the glass fibers can be introduced deeper into the material of the optical element in this way without increasing the penetration depth.
  • the depth of the recess of the entry surface of the optical element is for example by a previous laser processing or milling provided so deep that the open ends of the glass fibers can also be introduced into the material of the optical element by the depth of penetration, for example by melting.
  • the total distance between the open ends of the glass fibers relative to the entry surface of the optical element is thus obtained from the addition of the depth of the recess and the depth of penetration and can accordingly be easily increased.
  • At least one exit surface of the optical element has, at least in sections, preferably over the entire surface, an optical coating, preferably an optical anti-reflection coating.
  • an optical coating preferably an optical anti-reflection coating.
  • At least one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers have at least one cladding which essentially surrounds the core, with at least one pump light trap, preferably as depressions, in the material of the fiber in the area of the fiber exit element
  • Cladding of the glass fiber is designed to conduct clad light from the cladding of the glass fiber to the outside of the glass fiber.
  • a pump light trap can also be referred to as a jacket light remover or a cladding light stripper.
  • the fiber exit element has at least one tensioning element in the region of the fiber exit element, which is designed to apply mechanical tension, preferably in the form of tensile forces, compressive forces, bending forces and / or shear forces, to at least the core of a, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers, preferably and on a sheath of the glass fiber that essentially encloses the core, over a predetermined section of the elongate extent of the glass fibers.
  • mechanical tension preferably in the form of tensile forces, compressive forces, bending forces and / or shear forces
  • the area of the fiber exit element comprises at least the area, for example, inside a housing of the fiber exit element and also an area outside the housing of the fiber exit element directly adjoining this.
  • the open end of the core is at least one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers opposite an entry surface of the optical element at least at a first angle, the first angle being 90 ° or different from 90 °, the open ends of the cores of some, preferably all, of the glass fibers preferably having the same first angle or different first angles.
  • the directions of propagation of the signal radiation within the optical element can be influenced by the orientation of the open ends of the glass fibers relative to the entry surface of the optical element.
  • a vertical arrangement of the glass fibers opposite the entry surface can simplify production. By aligning the glass fibers at an angle with respect to the entry surface, the propagation of the signal light radiation can be designed accordingly. In particular, the optical path which the signal radiation traverses within the optical element can be increased without having to enlarge the optical element for this purpose.
  • the open end of the core is at least one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers opposite an entry surface of the optical element's further arranged at a second angle, the second angle being 90 ° or different to 90 °, wherein preferably the open ends of the cores of some, preferably all, of the glass fibers have the same second angle or different second angles and / or wherein preferably the first angle and the second angle are the same or different.
  • the two angles are preferably oriented perpendicular to one another. This can further increase the design options.
  • At least some, preferably all, of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers preferably also the open ends of the sheaths of the glass fibers that essentially surround the cores, each have the same penetration depth or each have a different penetration depth within the material of the optical element arranged.
  • Using the same depth of penetration can simplify manufacture.
  • the exit radiation or a combined exit beam can be influenced in its optical properties.
  • the signal light radiations from the individual glass fibers can pass through optical paths of different lengths there due to their different depths of penetration into the optical element and thus have different optical properties such as different beam diameters at the exit surface of the optical element.
  • At least one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers can be aligned around the axis of their longitudinal extension and is arranged in a preferred alignment.
  • at least one of the glass fiber It is not designed to be rotationally symmetrical but has the possibility, for example due to its cross-section, for example as an angular cross-section, to be oriented differently with respect to the optical element by rotation or by orientation around the axis of its elongated extent. This can additionally or alternatively also be the case with polarization-maintaining glass fibers and / or with glass fibers with stress cores.
  • the alignment allows specific optical properties of the signal output radiation to be achieved, which can increase the design options for the output radiation.
  • At least some, preferably all, of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers are arranged linearly, V-shaped, circular, semicircular, arc-shaped, bundle-shaped, hollow-cylindrical or rectangular. This can increase the design options for the emissions.
  • At least the open end of the core of one of the glass fibers is arranged forming a center point of a circle, at least some, preferably all, of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers being arranged in a circle around the center point of the circle, preferably at least a radially inner circle and a radially outer circle are formed who and or wherein preferably all of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably all of the sheaths of the glass fibers which essentially surround the cores, are arranged equally or differently spaced from one another or in contact with one another. In this way, a correspondingly shaped combined beam of the output radiation can be achieved.
  • the fiber types, shapes and diameters can vary within the fiber exit element.
  • At least some, preferably all, of the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably all of the sheaths of the glass fibers which essentially surround the cores, are spaced apart equally or differently or are in contact with each other. This can increase the design options for the emissions.
  • At least some, preferably all, of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably and / or some, preferably all, of the cores essentially surrounding the sheaths of the glass fibers, at least in the area of the fiber exit element have a constant direction of extent in their elongated direction or different diameters and / or a constant or different cross-section. This can increase the design options for the output radiation.
  • the diameter of the glass fibers or their sheaths can be specifically reduced by etching before the welding process, so that, for example, the cores of the glass fibers in the optical element can be brought closer to one another.
  • the diameter of the individual Glass fibers are reduced, which can also lead to the geometric advantages described above.
  • the mode field diameter of the signal can be modified before the welding process in order to achieve the desired properties of the combined exit beam.
  • At least some, preferably all, of the cores of the glass fibers preferably and / or some, preferably all, of the cores essentially surrounding the sheaths of the glass fibers, the same or different materials and / or the same or different diameters and / or the same or different cross-sections, preferably circular, rectangular, square or octagonal.
  • This preferably also includes the fact that single-mode glass fibers, large-mode area glass fibers, multi-mode glass fibers, polarization-maintaining glass fibers, photonic crystal glass fibers and multicore glass fibers can be used. This can increase the design options for the output radiation.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for producing a fiber exit element, preferably as described above, with at least the following steps:
  • At least one optical element preferably an optical window, egg ner optical lens, an optical beam splitter or an optical prism, which is designed to receive the signal light radiation from the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers and as exit radiation via at least one exit surface submit outside,
  • the method has at least the further step:
  • At least one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers has at least one sheath which essentially surrounds the core, the method having at least the further step:
  • the method has at least the further step:
  • a mechanical tension preferably in the form of tensile forces, compressive forces, bending forces and / or shear forces, on at least the core of one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers , preferably and on at least one cladding of the glass fiber that essentially surrounds the core, over a predetermined section of the elongated extent of the glass fiber.
  • the method has at least the further step:
  • the method has at least the further step:
  • the present invention also relates to a processing device for producing a fiber outlet element, preferably as described above, preferably by means of a method as described above, with at least one receiving unit for receiving a plurality of glass fibers, each with at least one core which is designed to carry signal light radiation to lead, at least one receiving unit for receiving at least one optical element, which is designed to receive the signal light radiation from the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers and emit it as exit radiation via an exit surface to the outside, and at least one first processing beam source, preferably a first laser beam source , particularly preferably a first CO 2 laser beam source, which is designed to generate a first machining beam and directly or indirectly by means of a first movable alignment element, preferably by means of a first pivotable mirror to be directed at a processing zone of the optical element, to move in the processing zone and to heat the processing zone of the optical element such that the material of the optical element at least in the processing zone has sufficient flowability to the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers, preferably also the
  • a processing device can be created in order to be able to produce fiber exit elements, preferably as described above, with the highest possible degree of mechanical support or automation. This can increase the quality of the manufactured products and / or reduce their costs.
  • heating or melting the processing zone of the optical element at least essentially and preferably exclusively by means of the first processing beam and accordingly hardly or not at all heating the glass fibers or their open ends by means of the first processing beam can be advantageous in that the comparatively Filigree glass fibers can thereby be protected and kept as unchanged as possible in the optical element.
  • the processing device has at least one second processing beam source, preferably a second laser beam source, particularly preferably a second CO 2 laser beam source, which is designed to generate a second processing beam and directly or indirectly by means of a second movable alignment element, preferably by means of a second pivotable mirror to be directed at a processing zone of the optical element and to move in the processing zone so that the heating of the processing zone of the optical element can be done jointly by the first processing beam and the second processing beam.
  • a second laser beam source particularly preferably a second CO 2 laser beam source
  • the first machining beam source preferably and the second machining beam source
  • the first machining beam source are formed directly or indirectly by means of the first movable alignment element, preferably and by means of the second movable alignment element, the first machining beam, preferably and the second machining beam, onto the material of the To align the cladding of the glass fiber in the area of the fiber exit element, so that at least one pump light trap, preferably as depressions, can be formed in the material of the cladding of the glass fiber in order to conduct clad light from the cladding of the glass fiber to the outside of the glass fiber.
  • a pump light trap by means of the processing device according to the invention can be implemented, which can keep the manufacturing cost of the fiber exit element with pump light trap low.
  • the pumping light trap in the area of the fiber exit element in particular in addition to at least one pumping light trap in the preceding course of the glass fibers outside the area of the fiber exit element, clad light or the remaining clad light can be removed from the cladding immediately in front of the fiber exit element and thus the penetration of clad light into the fiber exit element can be avoided which can otherwise lead to the development of interfering light signals within the fiber exit element. Reverse clad light coming from the optical element can also be reduced.
  • the receiving unit for receiving at least the glass fibers and / or the receiving unit for receiving at least the optical element is or are arranged and / or pivotably movable so that the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers are opposite an entry surface of the optical element can be aligned at least at a first angle, preferably also at a second angle, wherein the first angle, preferably and / or the second angle is 90 ° or different from 90 °, the first angle and the second angle preferably being the same or different.
  • a corresponding alignment can be made on the part of the processing device.
  • the processing device has at least one first image acquisition unit, preferably a first area camera, which is designed to hold the optical element received in the receiving unit from the side of the receiving unit for receiving at least the glass fibers or from that of the receiving unit for receiving at least the side facing away from the glass fibers optically at least in the area of the processing zone, the processing device preferably also has a second image capturing unit, preferably a second area camera, which is designed to at least imply the optical element received in the capturing unit from the side opposite the first image capturing unit Visually capture the area of the processing zone.
  • This can, for example, enable a person to at least check the arrangement or the alignment of the glass fibers with respect to the optical element.
  • the receiving unit for receiving at least the glass fibers is perpendicular and / or rotational to their direction of movement and / or the receiving unit for receiving at least the optical element is perpendicular and / or rotational to their direction of movement movable so that the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers and the processing zone of the optical element can be aligned with one another.
  • a corresponding alignment can also be carried out on the part of the processing device.
  • the processing device preferably a control unit of the processing device, is designed, the open ends of the cores of the glass fibers and the processing zone of the optical element depending on at least one captured optical image of the first image capture unit, preferably also the second image capture unit, automatically tig to align with each other. This can enable automation of the corresponding process.
  • the processing device has at least one alignment unit, preferably a translationally and rotationally movable gripper, which is designed to have at least one, preferably some, particularly preferably all, of the glass fibers together or independently of one another around the axis of their align elongated extent with respect to the optical element's rule.
  • the processing device is able, by means of at least one alignment unit, to grip at least one glass fiber, for example in the area of its coating, and to rotate it about its longitudinal axis, so that a predetermined alignment of the glass fiber can take place.
  • the alignment unit can reach individual or several glass fibers one after the other and align them in this way.
  • the alignment unit can be translated into Risch in one spatial direction and preferably in a plane perpendicular to the elongate direction of the glass fiber are moved and positioned. This can be implemented, for example, by means of a corresponding gripper.
  • non-rotationally symmetrical glass fibers can be oriented differently with respect to the optical element by rotating or by aligning them around the axis of their elongated extent, which, for example, in polarization-maintaining glass fibers and / or in glass fibers with stress cores, allows the optical properties of the signal output radiation to be influenced can, as previously described.
  • the processing device has at least one temperature detection unit, preferably an infrared area camera, which is designed to measure a temperature of the optical element received in the receiving unit from the side of the receiving unit for receiving at least the glass fibers at least in the area of To capture processing zone. This can at least make it possible to monitor the process of heating the processing zone.
  • at least one temperature detection unit preferably an infrared area camera, which is designed to measure a temperature of the optical element received in the receiving unit from the side of the receiving unit for receiving at least the glass fibers at least in the area of To capture processing zone. This can at least make it possible to monitor the process of heating the processing zone.
  • the processing device preferably a control unit of the processing device, is designed to generate, preferably at least the power, and / or the positioning of at least the first processing beam, preferably also the second processing beam, depending on the Temperature detection unit to control and / or regulate detected temperature.
  • the heating or melting of the processing zone can take place in a temperature-controlled or temperature-controlled manner. On the one hand, this can avoid unnecessary heating of the processing zone. On the other hand, this ensures sufficient heating of the processing zone before the open ends of the glass fibers are moved into the processing zone. This can improve the quality of the fiber outlet elements produced and / or reduce the reject rate of faulty fiber outlet elements.
  • the processing device has at least one cooling unit which is designed to cool the optical element accommodated in the receiving unit at least substantially outside the area of the processing zone, the cooling unit preferably having an air fan which is designed to have a To direct air flow on the receiving unit for receiving at least the glass fibers facing away from the optical element.
  • the heating of the optical element outside the processing zone can be reduced.
  • optical glass fibers are typically used today to generate laser radiation or to transport laser radiation (beam delivery) from the laser to the place of use.
  • This can be, for example, single or multi-mode glass fibers, polarization-maintaining glass fibers (PM) or photonic crystal glass fibers as well as hollow-core glass fibers - to name just a few examples of the types of glass fiber available on the market.
  • the optical components according to the invention and methods for producing these components therefore relate to the full range of fiberglass types available on the market. Even if the main area of application relates to glass fibers, polymer fibers or fibers made of other materials, for example so-called soft glass fibers for the middle IR range, can also be used for this application (s).
  • several glass fibers can be welded (spliced, fusion splicing) to an optical element in any arrangement (see, for example, FIG. 1).
  • welding one realizes a monolithic optical component, which is especially suitable for medium and high optical powers and at the same time in a compact form a fiberglass-based formation (usually spatial) of energy radiation, preferably laser radiation in a rough industrial environment or in a Area with high security aspects, such as in medical technology, or in an application area with extremely high temperature requirements.
  • energy radiation preferably laser radiation in a rough industrial environment or in a Area with high security aspects, such as in medical technology, or in an application area with extremely high temperature requirements.
  • other connection techniques could also be used.
  • the penetration depth of the optical glass fibers into the optical element can be adjusted depending on the application. It is also possible for the glass fibers to penetrate the optical element to different depths (z-direction in FIG. 1) when they are connected to the optical element, or for individual or all glass fibers to be inserted extra deep into the optical element through bores or other aids . In addition, individual glass fibers or all glass fibers can be connected to the optical element at a certain angle ⁇ (see, for example, FIG. 1). This also applies to the angle, not shown in FIG. 1, in the z-y plane.
  • FIG. 1 An exemplary structure of such an optical component for combining and shaping energy radiation, preferably laser radiation, is shown in FIG.
  • laser beam sources or other beam sources coherent or incoherent, possibly polarization-maintaining, possibly pulsed
  • the electromagnetic radiation from several laser sources or other radiation sources can be transported to the place of use.
  • the beam sources or the power components in the optical glass fibers can be operated simultaneously, staggered in time or with a time modulation of the individual power components in the optical glass fibers that makes sense for the process.
  • the beam sources can be of identical construction or differ, for example, in terms of polarization, wavelength or optical pulse length.
  • the laser or any other light source can work continuously or pulsed.
  • the glass fibers 1 to n can also be used for the coherent or incoherent combination of laser beam sources. Depending on the application, there are numerous possible variations based on the available properties of the laser systems or other available light sources.
  • the optical element can be, for example, an optical window with or without an optical coating or a lens and an optical beam splitter, to name just a few examples of optical elements.
  • the optical element can also consist of a multiplicity of individual optical elements, for example an array of microlenses or a flexible material (for example polymer) with useful optical properties for the respective application.
  • the optical element can also consist of different materials or vary in its material properties over its dimension (x, y and z direction, see for example FIG. 1), for example by partially doping the optical element. If the optical element consists of different materials, these can be glued, welded or bonded.
  • the optical element fulfills the following important properties in particular at least partially or completely:
  • Modification of the optical property for example beam shape, individual or all beam sources 1 to n before reaching the place of use;
  • the optical element can have a significantly larger size and almost any design and can thus be suitably well supported in mechanical holders.
  • the arrangement of the glass fibers on / on the optical element can be carried out in any way, depending on what the specific application requires.
  • Some exemplary embodiments of the arrangements of the glass fibers on or on the optical element are shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.
  • FIGS. 2 to 6 show by way of example that the targeted arrangement of the glass fibers on or on the optical element results in 1- or 2-dimensional fiber arrays.
  • the third dimension can be used by varying the depth of the glass fibers (z-direction).
  • the glass fibers can be in direct glass-to-glass contact (without spacing) or have a defined spacing.
  • the distance between the glass fibers on or on the optical element can vary from glass fiber to glass fiber - in both dimensions (x direction and y direction, see, for example, FIG. 1).
  • the diameter of the individual glass fibers can be reduced by etching the glass fibers and thus the distance between the glass fibers can be reduced.
  • the glass fibers or individual glass fibers can be tapered in diameter before the welding process on / onto the optical element.
  • the glass fibers or individual glass fibers can be arranged in any desired arrangement before the welding process on / onto the optical element (for example a fiber bundle) are already laterally welded ("fiber fusion"). The manufacturing steps of tapering and welding the glass fibers as a preliminary process before the actual connection of the glass fibers to the optical element can be combined as desired.
  • the glass fibers can have different diameters (typically approx. 80 ⁇ m to approx. 1.5 mm) and cross-sections, for example round, rectangular and octagonal. Due to the spatial arrangement of the individual glass fibers 1 to n (see for example Figure 1) on / on the optical element, a defined beam shape can be achieved for a specific application after the optical element (at the place of use), for example a line, a circle, a semicircle, a hollow cylinder or a V-shape.
  • the beam shape and other properties of the radiation source can also be varied depending on various process parameters.
  • the radiation can be controlled or regulated at the place of use.
  • the beam diameter of the energy beam preferably the laser beam
  • the beam diameter at the point of use is very small. If radiation is emitted from the glass fibers of the first ring, the beam diameter increases. The max.
  • Beam diameter is achieved as soon as the glass fibers emit radiation from the second ring of the optical element's rule. This can now be used as desired in the production process, for example in laser welding or laser cutting, by means of a control or regulation.
  • the temporal beam shaping or laser beam shaping could thus take place in the microsecond or millisecond range.
  • the optical component in FIG. 1 is particularly characterized by the fact that its structure allows the compact combination and shaping of optical radiation with optical glass fibers for medium and higher optical powers (typically greater than approx. 1 W to a few 10 kW).
  • the optical component is also characterized in particular by the fact that many glass fibers can be converted into a highly stable monolithic component in a very compact space in any shape or arrangement with the aid of an optical element, for example by welding the glass fibers to the optical element can transport, combine and shape optical radiation with high powers (up to a few 10 kW) in a very small space, usually approx. 100 ⁇ m to approx. 10 mm.
  • the optical component as shown by way of example in FIG. 1, enables targeted radiation shaping required for the site of use and / or the control or regulation of other optical properties in a very small space. Due to the monolithic and thus highly stable design of the optical component with fiber-based radiation feed, the component can, for example, be used excellently on a robot arm for laser production. The robot arm can move at high speeds and accelerations without influencing the light guidance and beam shaping.
  • the processing device shown in FIG. 13 can be used to produce the optical elements described above, as shown by way of example in FIG.
  • the processing device has at least one radiation source, for example in the form of a laser beam source, which can emit a directed energy beam in the form of a laser beam.
  • the laser beam can optionally be focused or defocused by a lens (not shown) and deflected around two axes by a pivotable deflection element in the form of a pivotable mirror (see FIG. 13).
  • the energy beam or the energy beams can, depending on the application, under any technical meaningful angle impinge on the optical element.
  • the diameter of the laser beam on the optical element can vary depending on the application and is usually a diameter (Gaussian beam 1 / e2) of approx. 100 ⁇ m to a few millimeters. In some applications, the laser beam diameter can be made significantly larger.
  • the energy radiation is partially or completely absorbed by the glass fibers and / or by the optical element. This results in the heating necessary for the welding process.
  • a targeted temporal and spatial shaping of the welding zone for the welding (splicing) of individual glass fibers or any fiber arrangements as exemplified in Figures 2 to 6 can be realized.
  • the welding zone can thus be realized, for example, round, square, V-shaped or ring-shaped.
  • the welding zone can be adapted to the glass fiber arrangements shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 for the welding process.
  • the deflection element can optionally be controlled electrically or electromagnetically (for example via a galvanometer scanner).
  • the heat radiation emitted from the welding zone can be recorded with a sensor and used to regulate or control the laser power and the deflection unit or other process variables.
  • the process temperatures can be recorded with a pyrometer or thermal imaging camera, for example.
  • the optical element can also be moved translationally and rotationally.
  • the glass fibers are immersed individually, in specific packages or all together in the optical element along the direction of movement (see FIG. 13).
  • the glass fibers can be in direct lateral contact or have a certain distance. The distance from fiber to fiber can also vary.
  • individual glass fibers or all glass fibers can be welded to the optical element at a certain angle.
  • the energy beam or laser beam is usually switched off.
  • the depth of immersion of the glass fibers in the optical element is usually a few ⁇ m to a few 10 ⁇ m, but can also be significantly greater than 100 ⁇ m for special applications.
  • the optical element During the welding process, usually only the optical element is heated by energy radiation. The glass fibers are therefore not directly irradiated with energy rays.
  • the large optical element serves as a heat store and heats the glass fibers sufficiently before they are immersed in the optical element. In order to fully materialize this welding process, process temperatures, immersion speeds of the glass fibers and other process parameters must be controlled very precisely. Should the temperature of the optical element experience excessive cooling during the immersion process of the glass fibers in the area of the welding zone, the optical egg can ment can also be heated with energy radiation during the immersion process of the glass fibers.
  • the energy radiation is directed onto the optical element in such a way that the optical element can be further heated or reheated without directing the energy radiation to the glass fibers.
  • the glass fiber arrangements that allow the glass fibers and the optical element to be simultaneously exposed to energy during the welding process.
  • the exclusive heating of the optical element with energy radiation i. the glass fiber is not irradiated with energy and thus heated, and is also of great technological relevance when welding temperature-sensitive individual glass fibers (for example hollow core glass fibers, photonic crystal glass fibers).
  • this approach can also be relevant when welding glass fibers with a low melting point (soft glass fibers) or when welding different materials. In this way, welded connections can be achieved which can hardly or not at all be realized with the energy irradiation methods described in the literature, that is, the simultaneous irradiation of glass fibers and optical element.
  • the CO 2 laser has proven to be particularly advantageous in practice due to the good absorption of the laser radiation (about 10 ⁇ m wavelength) in quartz glass and the comparatively inexpensive acquisition.
  • the laser radiation used for the processing device can be optimized for the particular application in terms of wavelength, polarization, pulse length and other optical properties.
  • the optical element in FIG. 13 could also be implemented by energy radiation, preferably laser radiation, from the side or from below (potentially from all spatial directions) from a combination of the variants described.
  • Several laser beam sources with different optical properties can also be used to heat the optical element and, if necessary, the glass fibers.
  • the first and second cameras can be used to position the glass fibers and the optical element or the optical elements, to check the quality of the welded connection during and after the process and to control or regulate the welding process (see FIG. 13).
  • the cameras can work in the visible wavelength range (VIS) and / or in the infrared wavelength range.
  • FIG. 13 shows a typical but not mandatory arrangement of the camera systems. It is also possible to use more than two cameras at other positions to position the glass fibers and the optical element or the optical elements, to check the quality of the welded connection during and after the process and to control or regulate the welding process.
  • the cameras can of course be equipped with appropriate lenses or objective lenses depending on the desired optical image.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a fiber exit element according to the invention from the
  • FIGS. 2 to 6 show schematic representations of different arrangements of glass fibers from above;
  • Figure 7 to 11 schematic representations of different arrangements of glass fibers with different optical elements from the side;
  • FIG. 12 shows the representation of FIG. 1 with the housing
  • FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of a machining device according to the invention from the side.
  • a longitudinal direction X extends, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. At right angles to the longitudinal direction X it extends a transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as the width Y.
  • a vertical direction Z which can also be referred to as the height Z, extends perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.
  • the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fiber exit element 1 according to the invention from the side.
  • the fiber exit element 1 can also be referred to as a signal light radiation output 1, a fiber exit optics 1 or a fiber array 1.
  • the fiber exit element 1 has a plurality of glass fibers 10, each of which has a core 10a, which is each surrounded by a jacket 10b and the jacket 10b by a coating 10c cylin drical.
  • the cross-sections or the contours of the cores 10a, the jackets 10b and the coatings 10c are each circular.
  • the glass fibers 10 end in the vertical direction Z at a common, same height, each with an open end 11.
  • the cores 10a and the sheaths 10b of the glass fibers 10 extend equally far and end together at the respective open end 11
  • the coatings 10c are each spaced in the vertical direction Z at the same height from the open ends 11 of the glass fibers 10.
  • the fiber exit element 1 also has an optical element 14, which can also be referred to as an optical window 14, an optical lens 14, an optical beam splitter 14 or an optical prism 14.
  • the optical element 14 is designed, for example, in the shape of a cuboid according to FIG. 1 and has an entry surface 14a pointing upwards in the vertical direction Z and an exit surface 14b facing downwards on the opposite side.
  • the four sides of the cuboid optical element 14 are formed by the side surfaces 14c.
  • On the underside of the optical element 14 is an optical See coating 15 in the form of an anti-reflection coating 15 applied over the whole area, which can be assigned to the optical element 14, so that the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14 coincides with the underside or outside of the anti-reflection coating 15.
  • the open ends 11 of the cores 10a and the sheaths 10b of the glass fibers 10 are arranged with a penetration depth W opposite the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14 within the material of the optical element 14.
  • the materials of the cores 10a and the cladding 10b of the glass fibers 10 have been fused with the material of the optical element 14, as will be described in more detail below.
  • signal light radiation A for example in the form of laser light radiation A
  • the signal light radiation A introduced into the optical element 14 can pass through this and emerge to the outside as exit radiation A 'via the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14.
  • the exit beams A 'can thereby also form a combined exit beam.
  • the mechanical stability of the material connection between the glass fibers 10 and the optical element 14 can also be improved as a result.
  • the glass fibers 10 are aligned perpendicular to the entry surface 14a of the optical element, so that both a first angle ⁇ and a second angle ⁇ , see FIG. 10, are 90 °.
  • the jackets 10b of the glass fibers 10 each have a pump light trap 12 in the area in which the coatings 10c have been removed, which can also be referred to as a jacket light remover 12 or a stripping element 12 and is designed in the form of annular depressions 12.
  • a jacket light remover 12 or a stripping element 12 By aligning the annular recesses 12 perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the signal light rays A or the elongated direction of extension of the glass fibers 10, disturbing sheath light can be decoupled from the sheaths 10b of the glass fibers 10 to the outside immediately before reaching the optical element 14. In this way, the entry of interference radiation from the part of the light into the optical element 14 can be avoided. Reverse clad light coming from the optical element can also be reduced.
  • a tension element 13 is arranged across all of the glass fibers.
  • a mechanical tension for example in the form of compressive forces, can be exerted on the glass fibers 10 or at least their cores 10a via the tension element 13.
  • the transmission or the optical properties of the signal light radiation A can be specifically influenced by setting the mechanical tension.
  • the side surfaces 14c and the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14 are optically roughened in order to promote the escape of interfering radiation from the optical element 14.
  • the underside of the optical element 14, which is covered by the optical coating 15, is designed to be optically smooth, in order thereby to promote the exit of the exit radiation A ′.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of glass fibers 10 from above.
  • the cylindrical glass fibers 10 are arranged linearly in the transverse direction Y without spacing, so that the sheaths 10b of the directly adjacent glass fibers 10 touch one another.
  • the optical element 14 is rectangular or cuboid.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of glass fibers 10 from above.
  • the optical element 14 is rectangular or cuboid.
  • the cylindrical Glasfa fibers 10 are arranged in a semicircle and are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction.
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of glass fibers 10 from above.
  • the optical element 14 is circular or cylindrical.
  • the cylindrical glass fibers 10 are arranged in a V-shape without spacing, so that the sheaths 10b of the directly adjacent glass fibers 10 touch one another.
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of glass fibers 10 from above.
  • the optical element 14 is designed to be square or cuboid.
  • a cylindrical glass fiber 10 forms the center or the axis of symmetry of a point-symmetrical circular arrangement in which several further cylindrical glass fibers 10 extend around the center in a first inner ring and in a second outer ring.
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an arrangement of glass fibers 10 from above.
  • the optical element 14 is triangular.
  • a plurality of square glass fibers 10 with square cores 10a and square sheaths 10b form a rectangular arrangement.
  • FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of glass fibers 10 with an optical element 14 from the side.
  • the glass fibers 10 are arranged in the transverse direction Y in a line next to one another and apart from one another beab stood.
  • the optical element 14 widens in the vertical direction Z from the entry surface 14a to the exit surface 14c in steps along all four side surfaces 14c. As a result, the weight and the volume of the optical element 14 can be reduced.
  • the area of the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14 can also be minimized, which can promote the process of melting the material of the optical element 14.
  • FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of glass fibers 10 with an optical element 14 from the side.
  • the optical element 14 widens in this case in the vertical direction Z from the entry surface 14a to the exit surface 14c continuously and continuously increasing.
  • FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of glass fibers 10 with an optical element 14 from the side. In this case, a groove-shaped recess 17 in the transverse direction Y, which has a depth V in the vertical direction Z, was introduced into the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14.
  • the penetration depth W of the open ends 11 of the cores 10a and the cladding 10b of the glass fibers 10 in the optical element 14 thus only begins at the bottom of the recess 17, so that the open ends 11 of the glass fibers 10 opposite the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14 the sum of the depth V and the penetration depth W are spaced apart. This can increase the mechanical stability of the connection of the glass fibers 10 to the optical element 14 without having to melt the open ends 11 of the glass fibers 10 deeper into the material of the optical element 14.
  • FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of glass fibers 10 with an optical element 14 from the side.
  • the glass fibers 10 are arranged linearly in the transverse direction Y.
  • the optical element 14 has a triangular cross-section in the plane of the longitudinal direction X of the vertical direction Z, so that the exit radiation A ′ can emerge from the optical element 14 both in the longitudinal direction X to the right and obliquely to the left.
  • FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of glass fibers 10 with an optical element 14 from the side.
  • the glass fibers 10 are arranged linearly in the longitudinal direction X.
  • FIG. 12 shows the illustration of FIG. 1 with the housing 16.
  • the housing 16 can also be referred to as a housing plate 16, a frame 16, a fiber connector 16, a heat sink 16 or a frame 16.
  • the optical element 14 is held in a bow-shaped manner by a holder 16b so that the exit radiation A 'can emerge undisturbed in the vertical direction Z downwards, see FIG. 1.
  • the glass fibers 10 are removed from the by means of the tension element 13 Ge housing 16 held by the tension element 13 is glued to the housing 16 by means of adhesive.
  • the housing 16 has a plurality of fastening elements 16a in the form of through openings 16a in order to be mounted and held on a base by means of screws or the like through the through openings 16a.
  • the housing 16 can be closed accordingly by means of a cover or the like (not shown).
  • the radiation emitted via the pump light trap 12 can be received in the housing 16 together with the cover as a heat sink 16.
  • FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of a machining device 2 according to the invention from the side.
  • the machining device 2 has a housing 20 which holds the components or the components of the machining device 2 and encloses a working space (not designated) in which for example, the fiber exit element 1 described above can be processed or manufactured.
  • the work space can be locked and accessible to a person, for example by means of a door or flap.
  • a movable receiving unit 21 is provided, by which several glass fibers 10 can be picked up and held preferably in the area of their coatings 10c but optionally, alternatively or additionally in the area of their sheaths 10b, for example by means of a mechanical holding element, for example as a gripper or the like, to be moved with the receiving unit 21 in at least one movement direction B in the vertical direction Z.
  • a movable receiving unit 22 is also provided, by which the optical element 14 can be received and held over its side surfaces 14c, for example by means of a mechanical holding element, for example as a gripper or the like, in order to move with the receiving unit 22 at least in one direction of movement C in vertical direction Z to be moved.
  • the machining device 2 also has a first machining beam source 23 in the form of a first CO 2 laser beam source 23, which can generate a first machining beam D in the form of a first CO 2 laser beam D.
  • the first processing beam D is directed from the first processing beam source 23 onto a first movable alignment element 23a in the form of a first pivotable mirror 23a.
  • the first movable alignment element 23a is correspondingly suspended on the housing 20 and adjustable by means of drives (not shown), so that the first processing beam D can be aligned by the first movable alignment element 23a onto the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14. This allows by means of the first. Processing beam D heated a processing zone F of the entrance surface 14a of the optical element 14 and the material of the optical Ele element 14 melted in this area and made flowable.
  • a second processing beam E in the form of a second CO 2 laser beam E can also be used in the transverse direction Y from the opposite side of the optical element 14, which is preferably generated by a second processing beam source 24 in the form of a second CO 2 laser beam source 24 can be directed to the processing zone F by means of a second movable alignment element 24a in the form of a second pivotable mirror 24a.
  • the second processing beam E can also emanate from the first processing beam source 23, for example by means of a beam splitter.
  • the processing zone F can also be referred to as the heating zone F or the welding zone F.
  • the processing device 2 can independently carry out a method for connecting the open ends 11 of the glass fibers 10 to the optical element 14 in accordance with a user-defined parameterization.
  • the glass fibers 10 in the movable receiving unit 21 and the optical element 14 in the movable receiving unit 22 wor- the machining or manufacturing process on the part of the machining device 2 can be operated in such a way that the machining zone F is heated in a flowable manner as described above.
  • the glass fibers 10 can now be unilaterally or bilaterally from their movable receiving unit 21 in the direction of movement B in the vertical direction Z downwards and / or the optical element 14 from its movable receiving unit 22 in the movement
  • the direction of travel C is moved upward in the vertical direction Z so that the open ends 11 of the glass fibers 10 in the area of the processing zone F can penetrate into the flowable material of the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14 at the predetermined penetration depth W.
  • the heating of the processing zone F by means of the two processing beams D, E can have ended beforehand or can continue.
  • the heating of the machining zone F can be ended.
  • the heating of the processing zone F can be ended before the penetration depth W is reached.
  • the flowable material of the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14 can in any case also melt the materials of the cores 10a and the cladding 10b of the glass fibers 10 in the area of the open ends 11 and thereby form a material bond when cooling.
  • the processing device 2 also has a first image acquisition unit 25 in the form of a first area camera 25, which is arranged in the vertical direction Z centrally below the optical element 14 and is aligned with the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14. Furthermore, the processing device 2 has a second image acquisition unit 26 in the form of a second area camera 26, which is aligned at the height Z obliquely from above onto the processing zone F of the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14.
  • a person as a user can optically monitor the glass fibers 10 and the optical element 14 before, during and after the connection process described above.
  • Y can simultaneously align the open ends 11 of the glass fibers by means of the two image acquisition units 25, 26 10 with respect to the optical element 14 by the user or automatically automatically by the processing device 2.
  • the processing device 2 also has an alignment unit 29 in the form of a translationally and rotationally movable gripper 29, which grips exactly one of the glass fibers 10 independently of the other glass fibers 10 in the area of its coating 10c and around the axis of its elongated extent relative to the optical element 14 can align. Between the individual glass fibers 10, the gripper 29 can be moved in the transverse direction Y and in the longitudinal direction X in order to reach and align each glass fiber 10. This allows a predetermined alignment for each glass fiber 10 device can be made possible with respect to the optical element 14, whereby, for example, in polarization-maintaining glass fibers 10 and / or in glass fibers 10 with stress cores, the optical properties of the signal output radiation can be influenced.
  • an alignment unit 29 in the form of a translationally and rotationally movable gripper 29, which grips exactly one of the glass fibers 10 independently of the other glass fibers 10 in the area of its coating 10c and around the axis of its elongated extent relative to the optical element 14
  • the processing device 2 also has a temperature detection unit 27 in the form of an infrared area camera 27, which is likewise aligned in the flea Z obliquely from above onto the processing zone F of the entry surface 14a of the optical element 14.
  • the temperature detection unit 27 can be used to monitor the heating of the processing zone F, for example on the part of the person.
  • the temperature detection unit 27 can, however, also be used by the processing device 2 to perform the previously described process of heating the processing zone F and / or the previously described process of dipping the open ends 11 of the glass fibers 10 into the flowable material of the processing zone F of To monitor the entrance surface 14a of the optical element 14 and / or to carry out independently controlled depending on the detected temperature of the processing zone F.
  • the machining device 2 also has a cooling unit 28 in the form of an air blower 28, which is aligned with the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14.
  • a cooling unit 28 in the form of an air blower 28, which is aligned with the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14.
  • an air stream of ambient air can be generated and directed onto the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14, so that heat can be actively dissipated from the optical element 14 outside the processing zone F.
  • the heating of the optical element 14 outside the processing zone F can be deliberately kept low.
  • the previously described pump light traps 12 can also be introduced into the jackets 10b of the glass fibers 10 in a subsequent step of the lowering position.
  • the fiber exit element 1 can be removed by the user from the work space of the processing device 2 and provided with the tensioning element 13 in an additional setting step.
  • REFERENCE SIGNS LIST (part of the description) a first angle between glass fibers 10 and entrance surface 14a of optical element 14 ⁇ second angle between glass fibers 10 and entrance surface 14a of optical element 14
  • a signal light radiation Laser light radiation
  • I fiber exit element Signal light radiation output; Fiber exit optics, fiber array
  • optical element 14 optical element; optical window; optical lens, optical beam splitter; optical prism
  • optical coating of the exit surface 14b of the optical element 14 Anti-reflective coating 16 housing; Housing plate; Frame; , Fiber connector; Heat sink; frame
  • first machining beam source first (C02) laser beam source

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément de sortie en fibres (1) ayant une pluralité de fibres de verre (10) ayant chacune au moins un noyau (10a) qui est formé pour acheminer une radiation lumineuse de signal (A), et ayant au moins un élément optique (14), de préférence une fenêtre optique (14), une lentille optique (14), un séparateur de faisceaux optiques (14) ou un prisme optique (14), qui est relié à chaque extrémité ouverte (11) des noyaux (10a) des fibres de verre (10) et est conçu pour obtenir la radiation lumineuse de signal (A) par les extrémités ouvertes (11) des noyaux (10a) des fibres de verre (10) et pour la délivrer vers l'extérieur en tant que radiations de sortie (A') par le biais d'au moins une surface de sortie (14b). L'élément de sortie de fibre (1) est caractérisé en ce que les extrémités ouvertes (11) des noyaux (10a) des fibres de verre (10), de préférence en plus les extrémités ouvertes (11) de gaines (10b) des fibres de verre (10), entourant sensiblement les noyaux (10a), sont disposées chacune avec une profondeur de pénétration (W), de préférence par rapport à une surface d'entrée (14a) de l'élément optique (14), à l'intérieur du matériau de l'élément optique (14), au moins le matériau des extrémités ouvertes (11) des noyaux (10a) des fibres de verre (10), de préférence en plus le matériau des extrémités ouvertes (11) des gaines (10b) des fibres de verre (10) étant fondu avec le matériau de l'élément optique (14).
EP20735288.1A 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres Pending EP3987331A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24183678.2A EP4431990A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres
EP24178966.8A EP4414759A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102019116839 2019-06-21
PCT/EP2020/067248 WO2020254661A1 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres

Related Child Applications (2)

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EP24183678.2A Division EP4431990A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres
EP24178966.8A Division EP4414759A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres

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EP3987331A1 true EP3987331A1 (fr) 2022-04-27

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EP20735288.1A Pending EP3987331A1 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres
EP24183678.2A Pending EP4431990A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres
EP24178966.8A Pending EP4414759A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres

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EP24178966.8A Pending EP4414759A3 (fr) 2019-06-21 2020-06-19 Élément de sortie en fibres

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US (1) US12498521B2 (fr)
EP (3) EP3987331A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020254661A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4264345A2 (fr) 2020-12-16 2023-10-25 Fiberbridge Photonics Gmbh Élément de sortie en fibres
DE102022101915B3 (de) 2022-01-27 2023-03-16 FiberBridge Photonics GmbH Faseraustrittselement
CN114755738B (zh) * 2022-04-18 2025-06-06 山东大学 一种碳纤维布自动检偏矫正装置及其控制方法
DE102022129645A1 (de) 2022-11-09 2024-05-16 FiberBridge Photonics GmbH Glasfaseroptisches Bauteil
US20240219657A1 (en) * 2023-01-04 2024-07-04 Mo-Link Technology Limited Optical fiber coupler and alignment method
DE102023133492A1 (de) * 2023-11-30 2025-06-05 FiberBridge Photonics GmbH Strahlführungsvorrichtung zur Führung von Signallichtstrahlung

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JP2007065437A (ja) * 2005-09-01 2007-03-15 Juki Corp ファイバーコリメータ
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US20180059323A1 (en) * 2016-08-26 2018-03-01 Nlight, Inc. Splice with cladding mode light stripping

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US12498521B2 (en) 2025-12-16
EP4414759A3 (fr) 2024-11-13
EP4431990A3 (fr) 2024-11-27
EP4414759A2 (fr) 2024-08-14
WO2020254661A1 (fr) 2020-12-24
EP4431990A2 (fr) 2024-09-18
US20220244461A1 (en) 2022-08-04

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