KR20190021301A - Laser diode beam combiner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser diode beam synthesizing device comprising a multi-angled column-shaped body having a plurality of laser diodes radially installed in a side surface thereof, a mirror located at a center of the body and concentrating the light generated from the plurality of laser diodes toward an upper surface of the body, and an optical fiber stub located on an upper surface of the body and outputting the concentrated light through a mirror. Beam fragmentation is prevented since light generated from a plurality of laser diodes is concentrated through the mirror and is incident into one optical fiber stub, and the optical fiber stub of which the length can be minimized in comparison with a conventional optical fiber, so a light source can come in close contact with a human body. Therefore, the laser diode beam synthesizing device can be used as a portable or a wearable optical diagnostic device.

Description

[0001] LASER DIODE BEAM COMBINER [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus, and more particularly, to a laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus applicable to a portable optical short-

In general, a single laser diode couples one optical fiber to transmit the light. In recent years, many optical medical devices and sensor fields for monitoring the state of buildings have existed in the area of Near Infra-Red (NIR) A laser diode of a multi-wavelength is used.

Particularly, since a laser diode of a transistor-out (TO) -can (CAN) type is cost-effective and advantageous for miniaturization of a system, it can be used for diagnostic measurement and structural inspection and testing such as a multi- It is widely used in equipment.

In order to reduce the complexity of a coupled optical fiber, a conventional conventional laser diode package includes a multi-thio-can (TO-CAN) type laser diode that generates respective wavelengths using a 1 × M optical multi-jumper cord, The way of using was applied. This is to apply the multi-wavelength laser diode only to the measurement points of the human or animal model organization.

FIG. 1 illustrates an optical fiber bundle used in a conventional optical diagnostic apparatus. In the conventional optical fiber bundle, a laser light source of a plurality of wavelengths is connected to a plurality of optical fiber bundles, and light of a plurality of wavelengths is outputted from one common output end .

However, since the conventional optical fiber bundle as shown in FIG. 1 can not be output as one beam at the common output end and fragmentation phenomenon occurs as shown in FIG. 2 and is divided into a plurality of branches, It may cause measurement error of optical diagnostic equipment and cause diagnosis error.

In addition, since a multitrack optical fiber such as a conventional optical fiber bundle is used in an optical diagnostic apparatus, it is difficult to reduce the volume of the optical diagnostic apparatus system, which is inconvenient for physicians to use.

In order to solve the problem of the conventional optical fiber bundle, as shown in FIG. 3, instead of using a conventional multitrack optical fiber bundle, a single-core multimode optical fiber is used to prevent the occurrence of a beam fragmentation phenomenon, A multi-wavelength laser diode beam synthesizer capable of reducing the volume of the laser diode beam was developed.

However, since the multi-wavelength laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus has a structure in which an optical fiber must be used to output light from a light source, it is difficult to apply to a portable or wearable optical diagnostic apparatus in which a light source must be in direct contact with a human body Lt; / RTI >

In addition, since the optical fiber must be always used, it is disadvantageous in downsizing and it is inconvenient to change the wavelength of light generated by mounting the TiO 2 laser diode in a package form.

In addition, since a plurality of TiO 2 laser diodes are disposed inside the device, it is difficult to perform optical alignment for combining a plurality of generated beams into one. Particularly, the position of the TiO 2 laser diode is changed, TILT) was difficult to control.

Further, since the reflection plate is attached to the cylinder by the epoxy, the thickness of the reflection plate is changed according to the epoxy application amount, and there is a possibility that the position where the light is condensed is changed.

In addition, when the size of the reflection plate is smaller than the diameter of the generated light, the light that is not in contact with the reflection plate may disappear without being reflected, and the amount of the coupled beam may be smaller than that of the generated beam. It is difficult to use it in a portable or wearable optical diagnostic apparatus requiring low power driving such as a battery.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1493257 (Feb.

It is an object of the present invention, which was invented in view of the above circumstances, to provide a laser device capable of preventing a beam fragmentation phenomenon, allowing a human body and a light source to come close to each other, And to provide a diode beam synthesizing apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for synthesizing a laser diode beam, comprising: a polygonal columnar body having a plurality of laser diodes radially arranged on a side thereof; And an optical fiber stub located on the upper surface of the body and outputting light condensed through the mirror.

A side surface mounting hole is formed on the side surface of the body for mounting a laser diode. An insertion port for inserting a mirror is formed on the bottom surface of the body. An optical path through which the light condensed through the mirror passes is formed on the upper surface of the body. have.

The body includes a laser holder attached to the side mounting hole and to which a laser diode is coupled, a lens inserted in the laser holder, a lens for condensing the light generated from the laser diode into a mirror, And a middle holder in which the mounting hole and the outer circumferential surface are engaged with each other.

The mirror includes a reflection portion in the form of a polygonal pyramid inserted into the body through the insertion port, a coupling portion formed below the reflection portion and coupled with the insertion port, and a support portion formed below the coupling portion and in contact with the body bottom surface can do.

Also, the surface of the reflector can be coated with a metal of a different kind than the reflector.

In addition, the incident angle of the light incident on the condensed optical fiber stub through the reflector may be less than 11 degrees.

The body also includes a tubular spacer attached to the upper surface of the body so as to be concentric with the light path, and a stub holder inserted in the spacer to be symmetrical with the light path, and the optical fiber stub can be fixed to the stub holder.

Further, the spacer includes a tubular spacer body attached to the upper surface of the body, and a spacer top face formed above the spacer body, and a spacer hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the spacer body may be formed at the center of the spacer topface.

The stub holder may also include a stub pipe inserted into the spacer hole and a stub washer formed to contact the spacer top face at the lower end of the stub pipe.

Also, a spring may be positioned between the stub washer and the body.

According to the present invention, since light generated from a plurality of laser diodes is condensed through a mirror and incident on one stub optical fiber, a beam splitting phenomenon is prevented, and a stub optical fiber whose length and volume are minimized compared to conventional optical fibers is utilized , The light source and the human body can be brought close to each other, and thus it can be utilized in a portable or wearable optical diagnostic apparatus.

Further, since the laser diode is located outside the body, laser diodes of different sizes can be used in combination, and the laser diode and the middle holder can be operated to tilt the laser diode. Ultimately, optical alignment can be achieved through laser diode tilt.

In addition, it is possible to maximize the beam coupling efficiency by coating the reflection part provided on the mirror so that the total reflection efficiency becomes 90% or more in the near infrared ray band (600 nm to 1000 nm). In other words, since the use of the reflector is excluded, the beam coupling efficiency is increased as compared with the prior art, and low power driving becomes possible.

Further, since the spring having elasticity is positioned at the lower end of the optical fiber stub, the optical fiber stub is kept in close contact with the human body when the human body is contacted.

1 is an exemplary view of an optical fiber bundle used in a conventional optical diagnostic apparatus,
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of the light divided into several parts in which beam fragmentation occurs as output through the conventional optical fiber bundle, and a measurement error degree of the optical diagnostic apparatus using the conventional optical fiber bundle,
3 is an exemplary diagram of a conventional multi-wavelength laser diode beam synthesizer,
4 is an exemplary diagram of a laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus of FIG. 4,
FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a principal part of the laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus of FIG. 4 and a photograph and a graph showing a beam pattern,
FIG. 7 is another example of the laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus of FIG.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with one embodiment. It should also be understood that the position or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

4 to 7, the laser diode beam synthesizing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body 100 in the form of a polygonal column with a plurality of laser diodes (LD) radially arranged on a side surface thereof, A mirror 200 positioned at the center of the body 100 and focusing the light generated from the plurality of laser diodes LD toward the upper surface of the body 100 and a condenser 200 positioned on the upper surface of the body 100 and condensed through the mirror 200 And outputting optical fiber stubs (300). In particular, a plurality of laser diodes (LD) are located outside the body 100.

The inner surface of the body 100 is coated with black so as to prevent reflection of light. A side surface mounting hole 110 for mounting a laser diode LD is formed on a side surface of the body 100. An insertion port 120 for inserting the mirror 200 is formed on the bottom surface of the body 100, A light path 130 through which light condensed through the mirror 200 passes is formed.

The body 100 includes a laser holder 140 attached to the side mounting hole 110 and to which a laser diode LD is coupled and a light source 130 which is interposed in the laser holder 140 and which emits light generated from the laser diode LD And a middle holder 160 which is coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the laser holder 140 and is engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the side mounting hole 110. [

By operating the laser holder 140 and the middle holder 160, the laser diode LD can be tilted. Also, since the laser diode (LD) can be tilted, it is easy to align the light incident from the mirror 200 to the optical fiber stub 300 in one.

In addition, by changing the laser holder 140 and the lens 150, it is possible to provide laser diodes (LD) of different sizes on the outer surface of the body 100. As shown in Fig. 7, laser diodes (LD) of different sizes can be combined.

The mirror 200 includes a reflective portion 210 having a polygonal cone shape inserted into the body 100 through the insertion port 120 and a coupling portion 210 formed below the reflective portion 210 and coupled to the insertion port 120 And a support portion 230 formed below the coupling portion 220 and contacting the bottom surface of the body 100. The surface of the reflective portion 210 is coated with a metal of a different kind from the reflective portion 210.

A metal is coated on the reflection portion 210 provided on the mirror 200 so that the total reflection efficiency is 90 percent or more in the near infrared ray band (600 nm to 1000 nm), thereby maximizing the beam coupling efficiency. In other words, since the use of the reflector is excluded, the beam coupling efficiency is increased as compared with the prior art, and low power driving becomes possible.

The angle of the reflector 210 is adjusted such that the incident angle [theta] i of the light condensed through the reflector 210 and incident on the optical fiber stub 300 is less than 11 degrees. As the incident angle [theta] i of the light incident on the optical fiber stub 300 becomes less than 11 degrees, a beam pattern as shown in Fig. 6 is realized. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6, the center resolution of the light is maximized.

The body 100 includes a tubular spacer 170 attached to the upper surface of the body 100 so as to be concentric with the light path 130 and a stub holder 170 inserted into the spacer 170 to be symmetrical with the light path 130 180, and the optical fiber stub 300 is fixed to the stub holder 180.

The spacer 170 includes a tubular spacer body 171 attached to the upper surface of the body 100 and a spacer top face 172 formed on the spacer body 171. The spacer 170 has a spacer 171 at the center of the spacer top face 172, A spacer hole 173 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the body 171 is formed.

The stub holder 180 includes a stub pipe 181 inserted into the spacer hole 173 and a stub washer 182 formed in contact with the spacer top face 172 at the lower end of the stub pipe 181. A spring 190 is positioned between the stub washer 182 and the body 100.

More specifically, since the stub holder 180 is supported by the elastic spring 190, when the optical fiber stub 300 contacts the human body, the optical fiber stub 300 is brought into close contact with the human body maintain.

According to the laser diode beam synthesizer of the present invention, light generated from a plurality of laser diodes (LD) is condensed through the mirror 200 and is incident on one stub optical fiber, thereby preventing beam fragmentation.

In addition, since a stub optical fiber whose length and volume are minimized compared to the conventional optical fiber is utilized, the light source and the human body can be brought close to each other and the volume can be minimized, so that it can be utilized in a portable or wearable optical diagnostic apparatus.

Since the laser diode LD is positioned outside the body 100, it is possible to mix laser diodes LD of different sizes and operate the laser holder 140 and the middle holder 160, Can be tilted. Ultimately, optical alignment can be achieved through laser diode (LD) tilt.

In addition, it is possible to maximize the beam coupling efficiency by coating the reflection portion 210 provided on the mirror 200 with metal so that the total reflection efficiency becomes 90 percent or more in the near-infrared band (600 nm to 1000 nm). In other words, since the use of the reflector is excluded, the beam coupling efficiency is increased as compared with the prior art, and low power driving becomes possible.

Further, since the spring 190 having elasticity is disposed at the lower end of the optical fiber stub 300, the optical fiber stub 300 is kept in close contact with the human body when the human body is contacted.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, And such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

100: Body
110: Side mounting hole
120:
130: light passage
140: laser holder
150: lens
160: Middle holder
170: Spacer
171: Spacer body
172: spacer top face
173: spacer hole
180: stub holder
181: Stub pipe
182: Stub Washer
190: spring
200: mirror
210:
220:
230: Support
300: Fiber optic stub
LD: laser diode

Claims (9)

A polygonal columnar body having a plurality of laser diodes radially disposed on a side surface thereof;
A mirror positioned inside the body and focusing light generated from the plurality of laser diodes toward the upper surface of the body;
And an optical fiber stub located on the upper surface of the body and outputting light condensed through the mirror,
The mirror may further comprise:
And a polygonal pyramidal reflector for condensing the light with the optical fiber stub,
The reflector includes:
Wherein an angle is adjusted such that an incident angle (? I) of light incident on the optical fiber stub is less than 11 degrees.
The method according to claim 1,
The body
A side mounting hole provided on the side surface and on which the laser diode is mounted;
An insertion hole provided in the bottom surface and into which the mirror is inserted; And
And a light path formed on the upper surface and through which the condensed light passes through the mirror.
3. The method of claim 2,
The body
A laser holder provided in the side mounting hole and to which the laser diode is coupled;
A lens that is inserted in the laser holder and condenses light generated from the laser diode into the mirror; And
Further comprising: a middle holder having an inner circumferential surface coupled to the laser holder and an outer circumferential surface coupled to the side mounting hole.
3. The method of claim 2,
The mirror may further comprise:
A coupling unit provided below the reflection unit and coupled with the insertion port; And
And a support portion provided below the coupling portion and in contact with the bottom surface of the body.
3. The method of claim 2,
The body
A tubular spacer provided on an upper surface of the body so as to be concentric with the light path; And
And a stub holder inserted in the spacer to be symmetrical with the light path,
And the optical fiber stub is fixed to the stub holder.
6. The method of claim 5,
The spacer
A tubular spacer body attached to the upper surface of the body; And
And a spacer top face provided on the spacer body,
And a spacer hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the spacer body is formed at the center of the spacer top face.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the stub holder comprises:
A stub pipe inserted into the spacer hole; And
And a stub washer formed at the lower end of the stub pipe to contact the spacer top face.
8. The method of claim 7,
And a spring is disposed between the stub washer and the body.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the surface of the reflective portion is coated with a metal of a different kind from the reflective portion.

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