Optical fiber transmission of Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses of 10MW peak power: mechanism of damage to the fiber

Xinyan Fan; Jinjiao Liu; Lijun Wang; Yi Tang; Wei Chen; Yingyuan Zhang

doi:10.1117/12.674276

9 June 2006 Optical fiber transmission of Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses of 10MW peak power: mechanism of damage to the fiber

Xinyan Fan, Jinjiao Liu, Lijun Wang, Yi Tang, Wei Chen, Yingyuan Zhang

Proceedings Volume 6149, 2nd International Symposium on Advanced Optical Manufacturing and Testing Technologies: Advanced Optical Manufacturing Technologies; 614929 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.674276
Event: 2nd International Symposium on Advanced Optical Manufacturing and Testing Technologies, 2005, Xian, China

Abstract

This paper presents theoretical analysis and experiment results of four different fibers transmitting 10MW peak power Nd:YAG laser pulse. The main factors limiting to optical fiber transmission of high power laser pulse is pointed, including air breakdown at focus area and surface damage of optical fiber. The theory of air breakdown and the fiber coupling conditions is described briefly. The results of study to the transmission properties and damage conditions are presented on the basis of four different types of optical fibers. The results of the experiments are further analyzed in the aspects of transmitting efficiency, air breakdown and surface damage. The local and foreign optical fibers, with plastic-cladding and silica-cladding, and step- index and graded- index fibers are tested separately in the experiments. The experiments showed that the imported fibers are able to transmit up to 10MW peak power laser pulse with no any visible damage, while energy density at the fiber output end surface is 3.54GW/cm². For local fibers, damage on the input surface of both plastic-cladding and silica-cladding, step-index fibers was found obviously. The column damage to the graded index fiber was also found and investigated in the research. Damage mechanisms of fiber at high peak power laser pulses are summarized. High quality finishing of fiber end surface will improve damage threshold tremendously. The conclusion of the study is that transmitting Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses of 10MW peak power is feasible for the domestically made fibers if their end surfaces are properly processed.

Citation Download Citation

Xinyan Fan, Jinjiao Liu, Lijun Wang, Yi Tang, Wei Chen, and Yingyuan Zhang "Optical fiber transmission of Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses of 10MW peak power: mechanism of damage to the fiber", Proc. SPIE 6149, 2nd International Symposium on Advanced Optical Manufacturing and Testing Technologies: Advanced Optical Manufacturing Technologies, 614929 (9 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.674276

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KEYWORDS

Optical fibers

Fiber lasers

Pulsed laser operation

Surface finishing

Nd:YAG lasers

Laser damage threshold

Laser energy

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