KR101569441B1 - Laser diode module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser diode module. By using a plurality of laser diodes and optical fibers, it is possible to effectively reduce the number of parts, simplify the process, and effectively reduce costs.

Description

Laser diode module {LASER DIODE MODULE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser diode module, and more particularly, to a high power laser diode module for use in a medical field and an industrial field by reducing the number of parts, simplifying a process, and reducing a size of a product.

Generally, a laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER)) is a light emitted from a medium by an external stimulus and amplified by a resonator.

Such a laser is composed of an amplification medium, a resonator, and a pumping source, and is classified into a gas laser, a solid laser, a semiconductor laser, and an optical fiber laser depending on the kind of the medium.

In particular, lasers are used in various industrial fields because they are easy to use, clean, and provide rapid processing results, and new industrial lasers are being developed steadily due to the increased demand for high power lasers.

Since the optical fiber laser has unprecedented optical-to-optical conversion efficiency among solid-state lasers, has a good beam quality and can form a resonator in the optical fiber itself, it does not have a resonator separated from a medium such as a general laser, And it is in the spotlight as an industrial light source because maintenance is not required.

The development of fiber optic lasers in the current market is being developed as high power continuous operation lasers, pulse operation lasers, and ultra high speed light sources. For many years, many companies have been making KW lasers for industrial use.

A conventional high power laser diode module consists of a plurality of spaced laser diodes that guide a light beam along a bulging optical path to generate a light beam in each group of pump wavelengths and optical components, respectively.

The group of optical components each include a lens assembly and a mirror configured to couple beam light to the common output fiber to all groups of optical components. At least one optical component of each group has an insulating layer capable of preventing the propagation of light whose pump wavelength is reflected back toward the laser diode at another wavelength.

However, as a conventional technique, there is a problem in that a light beam that is connected to a laser diode, a Fast Axis Collimation (FAC), a Slow Axis Collimation (SAC), a mirror, a filter, a lens, In the path, there is a problem that it is difficult because of the complicated process of assembling many parts and these parts in a structure in which necessary parts are individually listed.

U.S. Patent No. 7,764,723

It is an object of the present invention to provide a high power laser diode module for use in a medical field and an industrial field by reducing the number of parts, simplifying a process, and reducing a size of a product have.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of laser diodes disposed on a substrate to emit laser beams each having an optical axis of horizontal and vertical components; A lens unit condensing laser beams having horizontal and vertical optical axes emitted from the respective laser diodes to one place; And a plurality of optical fibers disposed between an emitting portion of each of the laser diodes and an incident surface of the lens portion and each of which transmits a laser beam emitted from each of the laser diodes to the lens portion.

Here, it is preferable that the plurality of laser diodes are radially arranged on the same plane of the substrate.

Preferably, a plurality of lasers arranged radially on the same plane of the substrate having a height different from the height of the substrate so that the laser beam is diverted toward the lens unit at a height different from the height of the laser beam emitted from the plurality of laser diodes diode; And a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed respectively between an emitting portion of each laser diode radially disposed on the same plane of the substrate having a height different from the height of the substrate and an incident surface of the lens portion, And a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting a laser beam emitted from each laser diode radially arranged on a plane to the lens unit.

Preferably, the plurality of laser diodes may be arranged in a step-like manner on the substrate to emit a laser beam at different heights with the same optical path.

Preferably, a plurality of alignment members are disposed near the emission portion of each laser diode so that each optical fiber is aligned at a position where the maximum power of the laser beam emitted from each laser diode is outputted.

Preferably, a fixing member is disposed near the incident surface of the lens unit and fixes the optical fibers so that the laser beam transmitted from each optical fiber can uniformly enter the incident surface of the lens unit.

As described above, according to the laser diode module of the present invention, by using a plurality of laser diodes and optical fibers, not only the number of parts can be effectively reduced, but also the process can be simplified, and the cost advantage can be effectively reduced have.

Further, according to the present invention, by implementing a miniaturized high power laser diode module, it can be used in medical fields such as treatment, diagnosis, and other kinds of medical laser pumping, and is used singly in industrial fields such as marking, cutting and soldering But also can be used as a fiber laser pumping light source that has recently been spotlighted as an industrial laser.

Further, according to the present invention, since the SAC optical member, the filter unit, the lens unit, and the like are all aligned in a line when viewed from the plane of the substrate, the optical alignment can be easily performed at the time of manufacturing the laser diode module.

1 is a plan view illustrating a laser diode module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a side view of Fig.
3 is a plan view illustrating a laser diode module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a side view of Figure 3;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. "And / or" include each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned items.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, components and / or sections, it is needless to say that these elements, components and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element or section from another element, element or section. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first element, the first element or the first section mentioned below may be the second element, the second element or the second section within the technical spirit of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. It is noted that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" used in the specification are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the components, steps, operations, and / Or additions.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in a sense commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, commonly used predefined terms are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly defined otherwise.

In the following description of the present invention, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions in the embodiments of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention of the user, the intention or the custom of the operator. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining a laser diode module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

1 and 2, a laser diode module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3, a lens unit 200, and a plurality of optical fibers 300-1 To 300-3) and the like.

Here, the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 are disposed on the substrate 10 and function to emit a laser beam having optical axes of horizontal and vertical components, respectively.

Further, when the substrate 10 is seen in a plane, the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 are radially arranged on the same plane of the substrate 10 so that the divergent laser beams are gathered in one place desirable.

The lens unit 200 is a focus lens and focuses laser beams having optical axes of horizontal and vertical components emitted from the respective laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 to any one of the optical fibers 20 And performs a function of focusing on one end.

The plurality of optical fibers 300-1 to 300-3 are respectively disposed between an emitting portion of each of the laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 and an incident surface of the lens portion 200. Each of the laser diodes 100- 1 to 100-3) to the lens unit 200, respectively.

In addition, each optical fiber 300-1 to 300-3 can be aligned and / or supported at a position where the maximum power of the laser beam emitted from each of the laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 is output A plurality of alignment members 400-1 to 400-3 disposed on the substrate 10 near the emitting portion of each of the laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 may be further provided.

The laser beam transmitted from each of the optical fibers 300-1 to 300-3 is incident on the incident surface of the lens unit 200 uniformly A fixing member 500 for fixing the optical fibers 300-1 to 300-3 may be further provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, three laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 are arranged in a radial manner in order to realize a laser diode module for 25 W. However, the present invention is not limited to this, Three or more laser diodes may be arranged radially.

On the other hand, if the laser diode module for 50W is implemented, the module may be implemented by applying a step difference. As indicated by the one-dot chain line in Figs. 1 to 3, the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 are arranged on the backside of the substrate 10 on which the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 are disposed, -4 to 100-6) are radially arranged.

That is, the substrate 10 having the height different from the height of the substrate 10 so that the laser beam is diverted toward the lens unit 200 at a height different from the height of the laser beam emitted from the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3, A plurality of laser diodes 100-4 to 100-6 arranged radially on the same plane of the laser diode 10 and a plurality of laser diodes 100-4 to 100-6 arranged on the same plane of the laser diodes 100-4 to 100-6, And a plurality of optical fibers 300-4 to 300-6, respectively, disposed between the laser diodes 100-4 to 100-6 for transmitting the laser beams emitted from the respective laser diodes 100-4 to 100-6 to the lens unit 200 , A laser diode module for 50W can be implemented, and a high power laser diode module can be implemented by applying two or more steps so as to have a higher output.

In this case, the substrate 10 is formed in a plurality of stepped steps at a predetermined height, and a plurality of laser diodes are radially arranged at each end. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of laser diodes may be arranged in a radial manner by using different substrates of the same.

A plurality of alignment members 400-4 to 400-6 having the same functions as those of the plurality of alignment members 400-1 to 400-3 described above are emitted from the laser diodes 100-4 to 100-6 May be disposed on the substrate 10 near the substrate.

The plurality of optical fibers 300-4 to 300-6 are fixed to the fixing member 500 described above so that the laser beam transmitted from each of the optical fibers 300-4 to 300-6 is incident on the incident surface As shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a laser diode module according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG.

3 and 4, a laser diode module according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3', a lens unit 200 ', and a plurality of optical fibers 300-1 'to 300-3') and the like.

Here, the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' are disposed on the substrate 10 'and function to emit a laser beam having optical axes of horizontal and vertical components, respectively.

Further, when the substrate 10 is seen in a plane, the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 to 100-3 are arranged on the substrate 10 'so as to emit a laser beam at different heights while having the same optical path, As shown in Fig.

The lens unit 200 'is a focus lens, and the laser beams having horizontal and vertical component optical axes emitted from the respective laser diodes 100-1' to 100-3 ' 20 'in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

The plurality of optical fibers 300-1 'to 300-3' are disposed between the emitting portion of each of the laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' and the incident surface of the lens portion 200 ' And transmits the laser beam emitted from the laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' to the lens unit 200 '.

In addition, each of the optical fibers 300-1 'to 300-3' may be aligned and / or arranged at a position where the maximum power of the laser beam emitted from each of the laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' A plurality of alignment members 400-1 'to 400-3' disposed on the substrate 10 'near the emitting portion of each of the laser diodes 100-1' to 100-3 'are further provided .

The laser beam transmitted from each of the optical fibers 300-1 'to 300-3', which is disposed on the substrate 10 'near the entrance surface of the lens unit 200', is incident on the lens unit 200 ' A fixing member 500 'for fixing the optical fibers 300-1' to 300-3 'may be further provided so that the optical fibers 300-1'

In an embodiment of the present invention, three laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' are arranged in a step-like fashion in order to implement a laser diode module for 25 W. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, Three or more laser diodes may be arranged in a stepped fashion for output.

That is, when the laser diode module for 50 W is implemented, as shown by the dashed lines in FIGS. 4 to 6, the laser diode modules 100 - 1 to 100 - 3 ' A plurality of stepped steps of a predetermined height are formed so as to have the same optical path as the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' like the plurality of laser diodes 100-1 'to 100-3' A plurality of laser diodes 100-4 'to 100-6' are arranged in a line and arranged one by one.

At this time, the substrate 10 'is formed in a plurality of stepwise steps with a predetermined height, and a plurality of laser diodes are arranged in a line in each stage. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A plurality of laser diodes may be arranged in a stepwise manner using a plurality of different substrates having a height.

A plurality of alignment members 400-4 'to 400-6' having the same function as the above-described plurality of alignment members 400-1 'to 400-3' are provided in the respective laser diodes 100-4 'to 100-3' 6 ') on the substrate 10'.

The plurality of optical fibers 300-4 'to 300-6' are fixed to the above-described fixing member 500 ', and the laser beam transmitted from each of the optical fibers 300-4' to 300-6 ' 200 'in a direction perpendicular to the incident surface.

Although the preferred embodiments of the laser diode module according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the claims, And this also belongs to the present invention.

100-1 to 100-6: laser diodes,
200: lens part,
300-1 to 300-6: optical fibers,
400-1 to 400-6: an alignment member,
500: Fixing member

Claims (6)

A plurality of laser diodes disposed on the substrate and respectively emitting a laser beam having optical axes of horizontal and vertical components;
A lens unit for condensing laser beams having optical axes of horizontal and vertical components emitted from each laser diode; And
And a plurality of optical fibers disposed between an emitting portion of each of the laser diodes and an incident surface of the lens portion and transmitting a laser beam emitted from each laser diode to the lens portion,
Wherein the plurality of laser diodes are arranged radially with respect to the lens unit,
Wherein the plurality of laser diodes are composed of at least two groups, a first group and a second group emit laser beams at different heights, the two groups are farther from the lens unit than the first group,
The laser diodes in each group are respectively condensed on the plurality of optical fibers with the same optical length,
The first group and the second group of laser diodes are alternately arranged radially,
Further comprising a plurality of alignment members disposed near an emission portion of each laser diode so that each optical fiber is aligned at a position where maximum power of the laser beam emitted from each laser diode is outputted.
delete delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a fixing member disposed near an incident surface of the lens unit and fixing the optical fibers so that the laser beam transmitted from each optical fiber can uniformly enter the incident surface of the lens unit.

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