JPH02291187A - Optical oscillator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the output of an optical oscillator by a method wherein the end faces, in which light is introduced, on one side of a photoconductor are respectively formed into an inclined face or a curved face in such a way that virtual lines to pass through vertically to the end faces intersect an optical oscillation part and the end faces of a multitude of optical fibers are bonded vertically to the inclined faces or the curved faces with an optical paste or the like. CONSTITUTION:End faces 2b of a photoconductor 2 are respectively formed into an inclined face, vertical lines X-X to these inclined faces 2 are formed in such a way as to intersect an axial line O-O of an optical oscillation part 1 at the part 1 and the end faces of optical fibers 4 are bonded vertically to these inclined faces with an optical paste or the like. Similarly, inclined faces are respectively formed on the other end faces 2a as well of the conductor 2 and each reflection film 3 is formed on these inclined faces by depositing gold to contrive so as to introduce effectively lights as well reflected by the films 3 in the part 1. Moreover, the conductor 2 is formed not only the end faces 2a but also all its outer peripheral surfaces into a reflective surface 3' excepting the light introducing end parts 2b. Thereby, beams of light transmitted through the fibers 4 are fed more effectively to the part 1 and a strong laser beam can be generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical details ■ The present invention relates to an optical oscillator, and more particularly, to a laser oscillator that utilizes the Raman effect.

If you shine monochromatic light onto a material and observe the scattered light, you will see weak scattered light with a slightly different frequency than the incident light mixed in with the scattered light with the same frequency as the incident light.

The frequency deviation is an amount specific to the material and is not dependent on the frequency of the incident light. The Raman effect occurs because an incident photon gives part of its energy to a scattering material, or conversely receives energy from the material, and in this case, the energy key is equal to the difference between the energy keys iQ of the materials. Since only the energy key is given and received, information about the level of the material can be obtained from the deviation of the frequency.
1} be received.

The present applicant previously proposed that in the above-mentioned optical oscillator, light energy could be effectively given to the scattering (excited) substance, thereby obtaining high-output light.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an example of an optical oscillator previously proposed by the present applicant. In the figure, 1 is a cylindrical optical oscillator having an excited substance, and the optical oscillator is a Rondo ( Nd”:YA
G-product laser rod 1~) or one containing gas or liquid inside, one end surface 1a of which is completely (
100%) nonconforming surface (the electric multilayer film), and the other surface is usually an incomplete (approximately 95%) reflective surface (the electric multilayer film).
is formed. Reference numeral 2 denotes a circular π1-shaped light guide that covers the periphery of the cylindrical light oscillation unit 1, and the refractive index of the guide body 2 is the fourth
As shown in Figures (a) and (b), the outer circumferential portion is small and the size increases toward the center, but the manner of change is not limited to what is shown in the figures. In addition, at this time, as the refractive index of the laser rod 1- is shown by the broken line,
It is even better if the refractive index is greater than the refractive index of the light guide 2. Further, both end surfaces 2a and 2b of the light guide 2 are formed in the shape of convex lenses, and a reflective film 23 is applied to one end, for example, the outer side of 2a. Numeral 4 is an optical fiber through which light is transmitted, and there are many optical fibers 4, and the end (light emitting end) of each optical fiber 4 is attached to the other rfii 2b of the light guide 2 with optical glue or the like. It is glued.

Therefore, all of the light transmitted through each optical fiber 4 is introduced into the guide body 2 without being reflected by the end surface 2 of the light guide 2. The light introduced into the light guide 2 is transmitted through the light guide 2 because the guide body 2 is formed so that the refractive index at the center is larger than the refractive index at the outer periphery.
While propagating inside, it bends towards the center and is finally introduced into the optical oscillation section 1. The light that is not introduced into the light oscillation part 1- is reflected by the reflective film 3 on the other end surface 2a side of the light guide 2, but at this time, the reflective surface of the reflective film 3 is formed in the shape of a convex lens. Therefore, the reflective film 3
The light reflected by the light beam is more easily directed towards the center, and in addition to the above-mentioned fact that the refractive index of the light guide 2 is higher on the center side, the light is more effectively introduced into the light oscillation section. The light introduced into the light oscillation section 1 in this manner excites the excited substance within the light oscillation section 1-, giving and receiving an energy key equal to the difference between the energy levels of the substance, and as is well-known. Then, through incomplete reflection, light with a wavelength corresponding to the difference is emitted from the b side. Note that the optical oscillator described above can generate a large amount of thermal energy, so cooling is necessary to remove this heat, and the easiest way to cool it is by blowing cold air. reactor. However, in the illustrated example, this cooling is performed more effectively and also to protect the human body. ), an optical oscillator as described above is housed in the housing 5 with a predetermined gap provided by a support arm 6, etc., and a cooling gas or liquid is allowed to flow into the gap, whereby the optical oscillator is cooled. Cooling is done effectively. In this case, when the inner peripheral part of the housing 5 is formed into a reflective surface 7, the light leaked from the light oscillation part will not leak outside, and people in the vicinity will be protected from light leakage. be able to.

As the applicant has already proposed in various ways, it is possible to introduce light of a desired wavelength into each of the above-mentioned optical fibers 4 by focusing human light or sunlight with a lens or the like. and each optical fiber is connected as explained below.
4. Light of a desired wavelength is introduced into

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view showing an example of a sunlight collecting device previously proposed by the present applicant, in which 21 is a cylindrical base portion;
2 is a transparent dome-shaped head, which constitutes a capsule 20 for a solar collector; in use,
A solar light collecting device "0" is housed in the capsule as shown in the figure.

This sunlight collecting device 10 includes a
or several or multiple I-nons 11, a sunlight direction sensor ↓2 for detecting the direction of the sun, a support frame 13 that physically holds these, and a rotation of the support frame 13. a first rotary shaft 14 for the purpose of rotation, a first motor 15 for rotating the first rotary shaft 14, and a first motor 15 for rotating the first rotary shaft 14;
a second rotating shaft 17 disposed perpendicular to the first rotating shaft, and a second motor (not shown) that rotates the second rotating shaft 17. The solar direction sensor 1-2 detects the direction of the sun, and the detection signal controls the first and second motors so that the I-nons 11 always faces the direction of the sun. The sunlight focused by the lens 11 is transferred to the lens 11-
The light is introduced into an optical fiber (optical fiber 4 shown in FIG. 3) whose light-receiving end is disposed at the focal position of the light beam, and is transmitted to the optical oscillator through the optical fiber.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of introducing light corresponding to the visible light component of sunlight into the optical fiber 4. In the figure, 11 is a lens system such as a Fresnel lens (5th (corresponding to the lens 11 shown in the figure), and 4 is an optical fiber for transmitting the sunlight focused and introduced by the lens 1. In this case, the central part of the solar image will be bright-colored light, and the peripheral part will contain many light components with wavelengths that match the focal position.

In other words, when sunlight is focused by a lens system, the focal point position and the size of the solar image differ depending on the wavelength of the light.For example, blue light with a short wavelength is
The image of the sun with diameter I) at '゜t, the light of the green string is P2
A sun image with a diameter of D2 is placed at the position, and the red light is placed at P3.
A sun image with a diameter of I) 3 is set at the position.

Therefore, in the case shown in the figure, if the light-receiving end face of the optical conductor cable is placed at the position P, sunlight containing a large amount of blue component light in the periphery can be collected, and P? If you place it at position P3, you can collect sunlight that contains a lot of green light components in the periphery, and if you place it in position P3, you can collect sunlight that contains a lot of red light components in the periphery. At that time, adjust the diameter of the optical conductor cable to match the light component you are trying to collect, for example, D for blue color and ■ for green color.]
2. If you set it to D for the red system, you can reduce the amount of light guide cable used and collect sunlight containing the desired light components most efficiently, as shown in the figure. Increase the diameter of the light receiving end of the optical conductor cable. If it is closed, it can collect light that includes all wavelength components, that is, visible light components.

The optical fiber 4 shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, light of a desired light component of sunlight or an artificial light source, such as light containing all visible light of sunlight, light containing a large amount of blue component, or light containing a large amount of red component, etc., is introduced. The light thus introduced into the optical fiber 4 is used as excitation light for an optical oscillator. Therefore, the present invention was made primarily for use in outer space, for example in communication satellites, etc., and in particular aimed at effectively utilizing sunlight in outer space, which is a valuable source of energy. It is something. That is, in outer space, there is no difference between day and night, and sunlight is not blocked by clouds, etc., so sunlight can be used stably at all times, and the optical oscillator according to the present invention can be used. It is most suitable for relaying signals from the ground using the optical oscillator, or for transmitting information from communication satellites, spacecraft, etc. It can be used as a laser light source for transmitting to the ground, or for mechanical processing, time cutting, etc. inside and outside the spacecraft.

−■−------The present invention further improves the optical oscillator as described above in 7.
The purpose of this invention is to provide an optical oscillator that can oscillate light more effectively and more powerfully.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of main parts for explaining one embodiment of the optical oscillator according to the present invention. The same reference numbers as in Figure 3 are given.

Therefore, in the present invention, the end 2b of the light guide 2 is formed as an inclined surface, and the perpendicular line X − to this inclined surface 2b is
In the optical oscillation section, X is formed to intersect with the axis 0--O on the optical oscillation section, and the end of the optical fiber 4 is adhered perpendicularly to this inclined surface using optical glue or the like.

Similarly, the other end surface 2a of the light guide is also formed as an inclined surface,
A reflective film, such as IT-like reflective film 3 made of gold vapor deposition, is formed on this inclined surface, and the light reflected by the reflective film 3 is also effectively introduced into the light oscillation section 1.

Furthermore, it is also possible to make the entire outer peripheral surface of the light guide 2 a reflective surface 3', excluding not only the t'NJ F+self end 2a but also the aforementioned 6 introduction end 2}. In this way, the light once introduced into the light guide 2 can be used more effectively, and there is no fear that the light will leak to the outside.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, when the same function as the embodiment shown in FIG. Reference numbers are given. In this embodiment, the end surfaces 2t1 and 2b of the light guide are formed into curved lines, and the reflective films 1a and 1b provided on both ends of the light oscillation section are separate from the light oscillation section. The structure is the same as that shown in Fig. 1, except that it is formed in the same manner as the above, has a Q switch 8, and has a fluorescent crystal plate 9, etc., and its operation is also as shown in Fig. 1. Although it is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 or a fluorescent &'i product plate 9.

Therefore, by using Q Suinochi, it is possible to generate a powerful pulsed laser beam, and by using a fluorescent crystal plate, it is possible to color the laser beam and visually observe the optical path. Become.

Although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 do not show any cooling means, in the embodiment described in -1- 1- is assumed to be used, and when a YAG laser is used, there is no significant temperature rise, and it is not necessary to use Pyrex glass as the optical center; even if ordinary optical glass is used. It is for good.

Prevention---------- Field As is clear from the explanation below-1-, according to the present invention,
The light transmitted through the optical fiber can be more effectively supplied to the light oscillation unit, and more effective and more powerful laser light can be generated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of essential parts for explaining an embodiment of an optical oscillator according to the present invention, respectively, and Figure 3 is an illustration of an example of an optical oscillator previously proposed by the applicant. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the refractive index distribution of a light guide used in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a solar collector suitable for implementing the present invention. - An example diagram, FIG. 6, is a diagram for explaining the operation for introducing light of a desired wavelength component into an optical fiber. 1. Optical oscillator, 2. Light guide, 3. Reflective film, 4. Optical fiber.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. It has a cylindrical light oscillation part containing an excited substance and a light guide arranged around the oscillation part, and the light guide has a refractive index centered with respect to the peripheral part. In an optical oscillator having a large section, the one end surface of the light guide through which the light is introduced is a sloped or curved surface such that a virtual line passing perpendicularly through the end surface intersects the optical oscillation section. 1. An optical oscillator characterized in that the end faces of a large number of optical fibers are bonded to the inclined or curved surface using optical glue or the like. 2. The optical oscillator according to claim 1, wherein at least an end surface of the optical guide opposite to the side to which the optical fiber is bonded is formed as a reflective surface. 3. The optical oscillator according to claim 2, wherein the reflective surface is a gold-deposited surface.