Laser Beam Welding (LBW) finds widespread use in industries like naval and automotive. To meet the demands of complex welding processes, higher power lasers have been developed. However, conventional refractive optics limit power utilization, affecting robustness. Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC), a fully reflective technology, enables complex beam shaping with 16kW lasers. A MPLC-based laser head with an 800µm annular shape at 1µm wavelength has been developed. LBW of 304L stainless steel (6mm thick) at 7kW and HLAW of steel (16kW) with 23mm penetration depth are successfully demonstrated. MPLC's extended depth of field improves welding efficacy, showcasing its potential in advancing laser welding applications.
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) is a critical additive manufacturing process known for its accuracy and complexity in producing intricate parts. However, challenges like limited production speed, hot cracking, and material restrictions hinder its efficiency. This study explores the use of Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) as a beam shaping solution to improve LPBF. By applying MPLC, we achieve faster printing while maintaining high-quality parts. Comparative analysis demonstrates the superiority of MPLC-based beam shaping in enhancing process yield and manufacturing efficiency.
The rapidly growing field of space-to-ground laser communication offers high throughput and secure data transfer without frequency allocation. Cailabs' TILBA-ATMO, leveraging Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology, provides turbulence mitigation for atmospheric communication. The 8-mode version showed promise at 100 Gbps, but for Optical Ground Stations (OGS) with large telescopes, a 45-mode system is required. Our latest research demonstrates the 45-mode TILBA-ATMO effectively achieves 10 Gbps data rates, meeting OGS requirements for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite signals at high Greenwood frequency and large D/r0.
Project Keraunos aims to experiment with a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to Ground optical communication link, including turbulence mitigation in the Optical Ground Station (OGS), enabling 10 Gbps or more data rates. Cailabs develops the pilot OGS, equipped with an 80 cm telescope, designed for robust operation under challenging conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive characterization of OGS subsystems, evaluating pointing, acquisition, tracking, beacons, and telecommunication performance with a 2.5 km horizontal link. Initial first light results with the Keraunos satellite are also showcased.
Ultra-short pulse lasers have become indispensable in industrial and scientific micro-processing applications, offering advantages like surface texturing, treatment, drilling, and micro-welding. However, these applications also present unique challenges, including process speed, precision, and seamless integration into industries. This paper explores how beam shaping addresses these challenges in micro-processing. Various beam shapes, such as beam splitting, non-diffractive beams, top-hat shaping, U-shaped beams, and triangular beams, are discussed for improving process speed, precision, and integration of ultra-short pulse lasers. The paper also addresses the challenges of fibering the laser for industrial integration and how beam shaping overcomes these hurdles. In conclusion, beam shaping proves to be a valuable tool for tackling the unique challenges of micro-processing with ultra-short pulse lasers, enhancing process speed, precision, and integration into various applications.
Beam shaping has gained increasing importance in laser-based processing, offering enhanced efficiency, quality, and precision across various applications. This paper discusses the challenges of characterizing and defining criteria for evaluating shaped beams in laser material processing. It highlights the essential role of beam shaping in Continuous Wave (CW) processes like high-quality welding for e-mobility and pulsed applications like surface texturing. Various beam shaping technologies are explored, and criteria such as efficiency, uniformity, sharpness, robustness, and depth of field are proposed for evaluating beam performance. Proper characterization and evaluation of shaped beams are crucial to optimize laser performance, ensuring reliable and repeatable outcomes in laser-based processes.
The achievement of coherent beam combination is of paramount importance in the advancement of high-power laser systems across various fields, such as defense and communication. In this context, we present a novel filled-aperture coherent beam combiner that integrates essential components including polarization-maintaining fiber elements, Electro-Optic Modulators (EOMs), Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA), a Multi-Plane Light Converter, and a feedback loop employing the Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent (SPGD) algorithm. By leveraging the SPGD algorithm, we attain precise control over the EOMs, enabling stable optical output power. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, as it achieves coherent combination of up to six input channels with high efficiency. Additionally, we observe negligible power loss throughout the duration of the process, while maintaining precise control over thermal and mechanical perturbations. One advantage of this MPLC technology is its direct scalability across different wavelengths. This feature enhances its applicability in a wide range of laser systems.
Laser welding is crucial for manufacturing e-mobility components, particularly copper and aluminum parts. However, their high reflectivity and thermal conductivity present challenges, leading to inadequate penetration and weaker welds. Beam shaping offers a promising solution by modifying the laser beam's intensity distribution. In this study, we demonstrate successful welding of aluminum battery cases, copper busbars, and hairpins using Multi-Plane Light Conversion for beam shaping. Results show improved weld quality, reduced defects, and enhanced mechanical properties. The technique provides a higher depth of field and an extra degree of freedom for optimizing weld quality, promising efficient and reliable manufacturing of e-mobility components.
Coherent combination of laser beams is crucial for high-power laser development in various applications, including defense and communication systems. A filled-aperture coherent beam combiner is introduced, which includes polarization-maintaining fiber components, Electro-Optic Modulators, EDFA, a Multi-Plane Light Converter, and a feedback loop based on the Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent algorithm. The SPGD algorithm allows precise control of the EOMs to achieve stable optical output power. The experimental results demonstrate the proposed approach achieves coherent combination of up to 6 input channels with high efficiency, negligible power loss duration, and precise control over thermal and mechanical perturbations. This technology is directly scalable for different wavelengths.
Riblets manufacturing allow the reduction of flight consumption of 2 to 3% but requires both high precision in texturing and high processing speed to engrave large surfaces. An innovative combination of high-speed (100 kHz) and high energy (3 mJ) femtosecond laser with a beam division up to 9 spots, and a square shaping of the spots is presented using multi plane light conversion (MPLC) beam shaping technique for both the beam division and the square beam forming, with homogeneity of spots better than 95%. Texturing tests will be presented and compared to achievements using non shaped Gaussian laser beams.
We describe how to improve micro-processing using Second Harmonic Generation of a Ultra-Short Pulse laser combined with a Multi-Plane Light Conversion beam-shaper.
Manufacturing at 515nm presents advantages compared to 1030nm : extended depth of field, higher sharpness, and higher ablation efficiency for some materials. The beam-shaper provides a square top-hat with a 1/10 sharpness and an extended depth of field up to 10 times higher compared to other beam-shaping technologies.
We describe process results of different metal samples: LIPSS generation with a 100µm square targeting a period down to 0,5µm and holes drilling holes of a diameter smaller than 10µm.
Femtosecond lasers are available with an increasing energy per pulse. Their efficient exploitation without any decrease of quality is key. It could be done with beam-splitting and parallel processing.
We present a fully reflective CANUNDA-SPLIT module used with a 100W 1030nm 500fs laser and a 100mm F-theta. The uniformity of the beams over the Field of View is presented.
The drilling of stainless steel and Nickel cavities matrices, designed for tribological properties improvement, has been performed. The homogeneity of the cavities and the circularity are analyzed. These results paves the way to meter-scale area processing with a reduced processing time.
Space-to-ground laser communication is booming thanks to high throughput, stealth communication without frequency allocation. However, lasercom becomes really competitive beyond 10 Gbps. At this rate, fiber components, requiring SMF coupling, and thus turbulence mitigation become necessary.
Based on Cailabs' core technology, Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) followed by photonic integrated chip, Cailabs develops a turbulence mitigation product entirely dedicated to lasercom. Previous work showed proof of concept for the 8-mode version. In this article we investigate last results obtained with the system including 100 Gbps communication and present the new 45-modes turbulence mitigation version.
Laser communication offers orders of magnitude higher throughput than RF with greater stealth and no frequency allocation. However, lasercom becomes truly competitive beyond 10 Gbps. At this data rate, fibered components, requiring SMF coupling, and thus turbulence mitigation become necessary.
Cailabs develops an industrial product line of optical ground stations (OGS) based on its turbulence mitigation product. A pilot OGS has been assembled at Cailabs. Several telescopes, from 20 cm to 80 cm, are tested to evaluate, and qualify the system. This paper presents the latest results on OGS. Roadmap will also be presented with LEO-to-Ground link planned in 2023.
The laser technology is key to the development of the e-mobility. We demonstrate how an optimal laser beam shaping enables high speed and high quality copper welding for the battery cells manufacturing.
The beam shaping parameters are explored and optimized and the optical performance is assessed. The process window is described for four sets of shape parameters as well as the comparison with an unshaped beam. The quality in each cases for different speed and average power is discussed. An optimal process at 6m/min and 8kW is obtained. At last, different welding configuration, such as transparent welding, are described.
Laser Beam Welding (LBW) of complex materials, such as ferritic and austenitic steel, is challenging. An appropriate beam shape improves the process by stabilizing the keyhole.
A methodology for tailoring the beam shape has been developed. The appropriate shape for LBW of 1mm thick steel is an inner intense spot and a background top-hat shape.
A dynamic beam shaper based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion has been developed: the ratio between the shapes and the back shape dimensions can be adjusted. The optical performance and the impact on the quality of the process with a 8kW 1.07µm laser are described.
Laser cutting process is a very broad application requesting a high beam quality. Optimizing the beam shape is a promising solution to the challenge of cutting thicker parts while maintaining a sufficient cutting speed.
We describe here a beam shaper compatible with industry standard equipment handling up to 16kW average power delivering an optimized non-symmetric shape. The different shapes are examined by means of online high-speed X-ray images, enabling to reconstruct the cutting front and to calculate the absorbed irradiance on the processed sample. This allows to compare the results with conventionally processed samples.
Micro processing applications using femtosecond lasers have developed thanks to the quality of the process. A challenge still to be addressed is the capability to deliver the beam through a fibre. One solution is the use of hollow-core inhibited coupling fibres, nevertheless its use requires a beam stabilization to insure a stable operation.
This study attempts to qualify two beam stabilisation systems: two piezo motors coupled with four quadrant detectors and Cailabs’ all-optical mode-cleaner system based Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology. To do such output fibre transmission efficiency and beam quality are investigated under controlled fluctuation of beam pointing.
Laser microprocessing using Ultra-Short Pulse lasers has developed thanks to the achieved process quality. The main challenge of those processes is the yield improvement. This study will focus on yield improvement of applications such as such as probe card manufacturing for electronic applications with a green USP laser using beam splitting.
We present here a fully reflective beam splitter compatible with 500fs green lasers. The compatibility with an industrial machine is demonstrated through a F-theta lens, as well as through a precession head. We show here the process results including the repeatability of the pattern, and the achievable ablation rate.
We demonstrate coherent on-chip combining for atmospheric turbulence mitigation using Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC). A Niobate Lithium (LiNbO3) photonic integrated chip (PIC) was manufactured to optically combine via balancing and rephasing of 8 disturbed signals collected and demultiplexed by an MPLC. Cascaded on-chip Mach-Zehnders interferometers containing controllable phase shifters allow combining of optical inputs two at a time. Optical leaks are used as feedback loops. After 3 stages, all signals are coherently combined into a main output. We present efficiency, bandwidth, and compatibility with telecom operation of the PIC recombination.
Incoherent beam combination consists of superposing several laser beams on a target. This technique is relatively simple to implement and uses "off-the-shelf" optical components, without active control of the phase or polarization of the input sources. With the Multi-plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technique, tailored and multi-reflective phase element, enabling to obtain an optimal beam quality in terms of divergence for a given number of input beams, we present non-coherent beam combiner of 4 Fibered high power input beams at 1µm with a total M² close to 2,5 and a combining efficiency around 92%.
We demonstrate turbulence mitigation in a free-space optical link without adaptive optics. A module consisting of an 8-mode Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) device connected to a photonic integrated chip (PIC) collects a perturbed beam and converts it into a fundamental mode propagating in a standard single-mode fiber (SMF). Module is tested on a 200-meter optical link at 1550 nm under different D/r0 conditions. Results are compared to simulations and laboratory experiments using calibrated turbulent phase plates. We show increased coupling efficiency and lower fading compared to SMF coupling, demonstrating that MPLC and PIC are a viable turbulence mitigation option.
Complex touch panel displays development is requiring high performance glass cutting techniques. Femtosecond lasers, combined to Bessel beam generation based on reflective axicons already showed quality and efficiency improvements, while being able to handle high peak and average power.
We described here recent developments for high quality Bessel beam generation using a fully reflective system. This complex Bessel beam presents an intensity plateau along its propagation axis, being twice more homogeneous and having a five times sharper tail compared to a classical Bessel beam. This development paves the way to complex and selective multi-layer glass cutting.
The microfluidics field, due to its various possibilities in the study of chemical and biological reactions with only few consumables, is expanding significantly. A flexible solution has been developed based on Ultra-Short Pulsed laser technology to engrave different microfluidic channels on a chip, and to seal them.
We describe here a solution to improve the welding’s speed and quality based on a tailored beam shaping with Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology. The fully reflective module is used with a high-power femtosecond laser. The optical performance of the module and achieved improvement on the welding are detailed.
The ability to combine incoherent sources with attractive performances enable hardware integration issues to be resolved using stable, good quality off-the-shelf components. Some new generation imaging systems can be found in the mid-infrared (MIR). The most portable laser technology at this range, our Quantum Cascade Laser source can provide light power of around 2 W, industrial grade.
With the Multi-plane Light Conversion technique and a modal approach, we present non-coherent beam combiner for QCL with optimal beam quality, demonstrating the state of the art in terms of M2.
The development of LBW processes is driven by more complex laser-based welding processes made possible with the development of lasers of higher available power. Nevertheless, most laser-heads are based on refractive optics, limiting the capability to fully use this power. Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) is a fully reflective technology enabling complex beam shaping through a succession of phase plates. A MPLC-based laser head has been developed providing an annular shape. It presents a less than a 1mm focus shift. LBW as well as HLAW of steal up to 16kW is demonstrated with improved butt-joint configuration gap welds.
The development of composite-based manufactured parts has been led, by the need of the aerospace industry to reduce the weight of aircrafts while maintaining a very good structural performance. The trend to use thermoplastic instead of thermoset resin enables even lighter parts, nevertheless it involves laser heating instead of IR lamp heating.
We describe the development of a laser beam-shaper based on Multi-Plane Line Conversion technology delivering a tailored top-hat beam profile on the composite fiber to optimize its consolidation and therefore final properties. We demonstrate the performance of the process and describe the optical performance of the beam shaper.
In this work, two experimental methods are proposed to quantify the contributions of the different light scattering mechanisms to the total attenuation of each guided-mode of two weakly-coupled FMF presenting different index profiles. The first approach is based on the analysis of the angular distribution of the light scattered by each mode of the two fibers whereas the second technique is based on bidirectional OTDR measurements also performed for each mode of the two fibers at different wavelengths. Some preliminary examples are reported and discussed for the fundamental mode and one higher order mode guided in a step-index and a trapezoidal index profile few-mode fiber.
An experimental demonstration of laser beam coherent combining with active phase control has been performed using for the first time a Multi-Plane Light Converter device (MPLC). The MPLC as a beam combiner is designed as a spatial multiplexer which output modes form a Gaussian beam when superimposed constructively, reaching theoretically 100% efficiency. Moreover, reflective free-space design allows for handling high power. The experiment combines seven 1.5 μm continuous wave fiber lasers operated at a low power level in the tens of milliwatt range using the frequencytagging LOCSET technique (Locking of Optical Coherence by Single-detector Electronic-frequency Tagging) for the phase locking. 72-% power efficiency MPLC CBC is achieved with an output combined beam close to a Gaussian beam profile. M² is lower than 1.8 depending on the transverse direction, revealing an excellent quality for the combined beam. The output beam is more than 94 % linearly polarized. Simulation of the impact of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of the seven laser beams up to 1 km is performed. We demonstrate that it is possible to compensate for most of the atmospheric propagation detrimental effects and to perform efficient MPLC CBC through strong turbulence.
KEYWORDS: Laser countermeasures, Laser energy, Directed energy weapons, Fiber lasers, Missiles, Solid state lasers, Solid state physics, Free space optics, Chemical elements, Optical fibers
The development of the solid-state fiber laser has given a boost to the possibility of destroying a target without the need for a projectile or blind the photoreceptive element of a heat-seeker missile with laser emission. The growing presence of drones on the battlefield since 2010 and the on-board intelligence on guided missiles have given new credibility to these research programs. Solid state fiber laser, which uses optical fiber as an amplifying medium, has many advantages including efficiency, thermal and opto-mechanical stability, the elimination of free space optics using fiber components, and above all good beam quality thanks to its waveguide. In addition, these coherent sources are available at interesting wavelengths in line with military issues. However, now it is difficult to obtain a high-power fiber source (> 1 kW) while maintaining high beam quality and good spectral coherence. Power scaling whilst preserving beam quality can be achieved through coherent beam combining. The principle is to interfere constructively N mutually coherent single-mode laser beams with proper phase alignment into a single good quality beam. Conventional coherent beam combining is typically based on tiled apertures, for which theoretical maximum efficiency is 67% (due to limited lenses fill factor and secondary lobes in the far field), and for which experimental efficiency is currently below 50%. We present here a novel technique for coherent beam combining based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion. The beam combiner is designed as a spatial multiplexer which output modes form a Gaussian beam when superimposed constructively, reaching theoretically 100% efficiency. Moreover, reflective free-space design allows for high power handling up to 500W. We measure an experimental mode purity above 85% with a total efficiency of 70% (including optical losses) combining 6 beams. This system can be altered to provide error signals for easier phase-locking of the inputs.
Laser communications are expected to enable wide deployment of high capacity telecommunication networks. To ensure that components used in such architectures are competitive both in terms of costs and performances, coupling into a single-mode fiber at the reception side is mandatory as most off the shelf components (COTS) have already been developed for optical fiber networks.
However, in free-space optical communication through the atmosphere, turbulences modify the wavefront profile which degrades coupling towards a single-mode fiber. Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) is proving to be a new effective technique to mitigate turbulence effect. The degraded beam is decomposed on a mode basis, typically Hermite-Gaussian modes, each mode being passively demultiplexed towards a single-mode fiber. The incoming turbulent spatial mode undergoes phase and intensity fluctuations, but, as the MPLC is a passive component, this only leads to phase and intensity fluctuations of the signal inside the corresponding single-mode fiber. The complexity of the architecture is transferred from correcting actively the wavefront to signal processing inside single-mode fibers.
Here, we investigate the performance improvement of the MPLC technique and mode collection compared to direct single-mode fiber coupling. We evaluate theoretical and experimental collection efficiency for SMF only and the summation of the 15 first Hermite-Gaussian modes for D/r0 from 1 to 14. Results show that 15 modes MPLC appear to be a good compromise between the number of modes and the complexity of the device. This configuration typically improves the collection efficiency by >7 dB in the case of strong turbulence when D/r0 >4. Moreover, the minimum collection efficiency that would correspond to a link failure is dramatically improved compared to SMF fiber alone. Finally, power distribution over the modes seems to be similar which will facilitate the implementation of this technique.
With the development of touch panel display the need to process thinner glass using Ultra-Short Pulse (USP) laser has increased. Beam shaping improves the process yield and quality but requires specific precautions when applied to USP laser due to high peak power and dispersion.
Bessel beams improve the quality of glass drilling and cutting due to the extended depth of field. We present Bessel beam generation using a reflective off-axis axicon giving a more stable beam compatible with scanning system and with a profile closer to theory. The characteristics of the beam and of the processed glass are described.
The recent development of Ultra Short Pulse lasers has widely broadened the range of possibilities of laser material processing. Associated with a proper beam splitting it enables adding to the surface new properties by texturing it.
We present here a fully reflective three by three beam splitter compatible with high power up to 300W with 500fs pulses lasers. The process results are presented including the repeatability of the pattern, and the achievable ablation rate. The pattern is 15µm waist gaussian beams with 300µm pitch.
Compatibility with scanning system and F-theta lenses, enabling micro-processing throughput improvement, is described.
Multi-kilowatt Laser Beam Welding processes are facing new challenges: reducing the final parts weight and improving reliability to decrease the amount of discarded parts. Appropriate beam shaping enables those improvements by decreasing the process defects and by allowing welding of new types of materials and of thinner parts.
We describe here the design and the process test results of a fully reflective beam shaper laser head compatible with high-power lasers demands integrated on a robot. The high efficiency cooling permitted by a reflective design reduces focus shift. A mm-wide annular shape onto the processed part enables melt pool size control.
Free-space optical links are being considered for high throughput feeder links in satellite communication. Optical power up to 500 W is required at the optical ground terminal, which represents a challenge for current technologies.
One way to scale power whilst preserving beam quality is coherent beam combining. Here, we present a novel technique based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion, consisting in a spatial multiplexer whose output modes form a Gaussian beam when superimposed constructively. The beam combiner is fully reflective, enabling kW optical power. We demonstrate a mode purity and a total efficiency higher than the conventional tiled apertures technique.
Global coverage of internet access is essential for digitalization in society, becoming a disruptive technology in industry, education or political participation for example. Satellite communications is a complementary approach to the terrestrial fiber network, which can provide world-wide coverage with few satellites in geostationary orbit or with low-earth-orbit constellations. Optical wavelengths offer multiple THz of available spectrum that can be used to connect satellites to the ground network with high-throughput links, solving the radiofrequency bandwidth bottleneck, without regulations. Cloud covereage and atmospheric turbulence are the main challenge in guaranteeing the same availability as in terrestrial fiber-based systems. While the former can be addressed by site diversity, for the latter, other mitigation strategies are required. Adaptive optics is a common approach to correct for atmospheric phase distortions and ensure stable fiber coupling. However, this approach requires a relatively complex active setup and therefore a collaboration between DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation and Cailabs has been formed to investigate alternative passive solutions for low-complexity ground stations. Coupling into multimode fibers does not require adaptive optics due to the large fiber core, however the coupled signal is distributed into multiple fiber-modes and is therefore incompatible with standard telecommunications components. Cailabs Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) technology overcomes this issue, selectively demultiplexing the fibermodes into single-mode fibers. Here, DLR’s adaptive optics system and the MPLC technology in a turbulence-relevant environment for GEO communications are compared, investigating the advantages of the MPLC approach for compensating strong turbulence. This paper presents an overview of the measurement setup and analyzes the single-mode fibers outputs of the spatial demultiplexer and the measured phase-distortions from a wavefront sensor.
Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) is an innovative shaping technique which allows theoretically lossless complex beam shapes. The free-space reflective design is particularly well suited to Ultra-Short Pulse (USP) laser-based processes challenges. We demonstrate the system high stability over long processing times thanks to a mode cleaning feature.
Here we show micro-cutting and engraving tests carried out on stainless-steel and brass with a high power, industrial, USP laser having squared, and circular top-hat profile generated using MPLC technology. Thanks to the sharp edges of the profile, a sensible reduction of the taper and optimization of the overlapping is observed
Generation of nano or micro-scale structures on materials surface enables new functions and properties, such as super-hydrophobicity by lotus effect, surface blackening by light trapping, modification of surface tribological properties, etc. which are in high demand for a wide variety of industrial fields. Amongst the surface functionalization techniques, Ultra-Short Pulse lasers have been proven to be a reliable tool to create Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS). Exploitation of LIPSS for industrial purposes poses some key problems like up scaling over large area with high repeatability and high throughput. Beam shaping could be a key element to overcome these issues. Specific shapes, such as top-hat line shape, could enable at once uniform processing over large surface with the consequence to reduce the processing time. Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) is an innovative technique of beam shaping which allows theoretically lossless complex beam shapes with a high control over amplitude and phase. The free-space reflective design allows for high beam shaping quality whilst maintaining the ultra-short property of the laser pulses, which is not usually achievable through other beam shaping methods. Here we show the results obtained over Stainless-Steel using an industrial femtosecond laser with a tophat line of 30μm × 594 μm intensity profile generated using MPLC technology. The beam has been delivered over the Stainless-Steel surface with a galvo scanner and focused through an f -theta lens of 100 mm. Surface morphology has been investigated via SEM and the processing time has been compared to conventional round Gaussian Beams
Free space optical links offer secure and mobile high-data-rate communication. However, the availability and reliability of long-range links are restricted by turbulence-induced fading. One way of mitigating turbulence is to use spatial diversity. However, classically-used multi-aperture systems often present a large footprint that is detrimental to their implementation. In this work, we show that using a spatial mode demultiplexer enables a significant increase in signal collection at the receiver in the presence of strong atmospheric turbulence while requiring only one telescope and being compatible with standard single-mode fiber (SMF) based telecom components.
A Gaussian beam propagating through the atmosphere suffers from perturbations which modify the spatial mode of the beam and therefore causes severe fading of the signal when coupling into an SMF. These beam perturbations can be decomposed on a limited number of orthogonal spatial modes: we show that 3 to 15 Hermite-Gaussian modes are sufficient to cover most high order turbulence effects. The Multi-Plane Light Conversion technique enables to efficiently implement a spatial mode demultiplexer designed to take the selected perturbation modes in input (coupled in free-space or in a multi-mode fiber) and convert them into SMFs at the output. By detecting then combining these output signals, one can passively collect the full energy of the perturbed beam, therefore strongly increasing the coupling efficiency under turbulent conditions. We demonstrate that this approach offers a similar level of fading mitigation compared to a multi-aperture approach, using uncorrelated spatial mode channels instead of uncorrelated single-mode paths.
Bessel beams are invariant solutions to the Helmoltz equation that can also propagate, with finite pulse energy at high intensity, in a quasi-invariant regime in transparent dielectrics. Homogeneous energy is deposited along a line focus by infrared ultrashort pulses. If the cone angle is sufficiently high, the laser-deposited energy density is enough to open nanochannels in glasses or sapphire with a single laser pulse. This has found applications in the field of glass cutting via the technique of "stealth dicing".
Here we address two important challenges in this field. First, high quality Bessel beams are essential for controlled energy deposition. Second, the maximal angle used up to here for channel drilling was 26° for 800 nm laser central wavelength. This enabled the formation of channels with diameters down to typically 300 nm in glass and sapphire. It is questionable if higher cone angles could also produce channels with potentially smaller diameters.
Here, we generate high quality Bessel-Gauss beams with a setup based on reflective, off-axis axicons. The Bessel zone exceeds 100 µm for cone angles up to 35 degrees. This corresponds to central spot diameter down to 0.5 µm FWHM. We qualified these beams with a 100 fs laser source centered at 800 nm wavelength. We report nanochannel drilling down to typically 100 nm over at least 30 µm length in glass.
Our approach opens novel perspectives for high quality Bessel beam generation but also for the highly confined laser-matter interaction for high precision processing of transparent dielectrics.
We introduce a novel technique allowing simultaneous combining and reshaping of several non-coherent laser sources. This Multi-Plane Light Conversion technique is based on a passive, tailored and multi-reflective phase element which realizes intrinsically lossless unitary transforms. This approach is particularly suitable for multiple kilowatt laser beam shaping applied to improved material processing. We present numerical and experimental results of 3 applications of this shaper: a multiple multi-mode laser beam shaper, a beam shaper and combiner for generating adaptive tailored beam, and a beam combiner managing up to ten incoherent laser beams with optimum output beam quality (M2). High power handling, up to 12 kW, of MPLC based shaper is also demonstrated.
KEYWORDS: Multiplexers, Beam shaping, Multiplexing, Local area networks, Optical communications, Telecommunications, Single mode fibers, Digital signal processing, Modulation, Laser processing, Plutonium, Demultiplexers
Multi-Plane Light Conversion enables novel beam shaping devices, including spatial multiplexers. After a presentation of the achievable performances of these spatial multiplexers, which can combine 10 spatial modes with cross-talk below -22 dB and insertion loss below 4 dB, we review the performances of Multi-Plane Light Con-version in multiple application cases. These application cases include mode-multiplexed optical amplification, high-power beam shaping and combining and LAN fiber capacity upgrade.
We report a six mode spatial multiplexer with high efficiency and high mode selectivity, based on the technique of Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC). Using this mode selective multiplexer, we demonstrate a total insertion loss in a six-mode fiber below 5 dB and a mode-to-mode selectivity greater than 20 dB over a broad wavelength range from 1530 to 1565 nm. Furthermore, this device can address any spatial mode profile of any few-mode fiber with high fidelity. This mode-multiplexer proves to be fully compatible with a wavelength- and space-division multiplexed optical transmission line.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.