Counter pumping a large mode area fiber laser
A fiber support assembly includes: a first glass tube, wherein the first glass tube is attached to a microlens or lenslet of a microlens or lenslet array; a second glass tube at least partially disposed within the first glass tube; and a gain fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the gain fiber has a first tapered end cap, and wherein the gain fiber with the first tapered end cap is aligned to the microlens or lenslet attached to the first glass tube. The fiber support assembly may further include: a pump fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the pump fiber has a second tapered end cap; and a reflector configured to receive counter-pumping light from the pump fiber and direct the counter-pumping light to the first tapered end cap of the gain fiber.
1 . A fiber support assembly, comprising:
a first glass tube, wherein the first glass tube is attached to a microlens or lenslet of a microlens or lenslet array;
a second glass tube at least partially disposed within the first glass tube; and
a gain fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the gain fiber has a first tapered end cap, and wherein the gain fiber with the first tapered end cap is aligned to the microlens or lenslet attached to the first glass tube;
wherein the first tapered end cap has an outer diameter that increases from one end of the first tapered end cap to another end of the first tapered end cap, and wherein the first tapered end cap is configured to receive counter-pumping light.
2 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a third glass tube disposed between the first glass tube and the second glass tube.
3 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a pump fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the pump fiber has a second tapered end cap; and
a reflector configured to receive the counter-pumping light from the pump fiber and direct the counter-pumping light to the first tapered end cap of the gain fiber.
4 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the reflector is a dichroic mirror.
5 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the gain fiber is adjustable for alignment based on movement of the second glass tube relative to the first glass tube.
6 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the gain fiber is configured to be aligned to the microlens or lenslet using an alignment station with a camera.
7 . A system, comprising:
a microlens or lenslet array; and
a plurality of fiber support assemblies, wherein each fiber support assembly of the plurality of fiber support assemblies comprises:
a first glass tube, wherein the first glass tube is attached to a respective microlens or lenslet of the microlens or lenslet array;
a second glass tube at least partially disposed within the first glass tube; and
a gain fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the gain fiber has a first tapered end cap, and wherein the gain fiber with the first tapered end cap is aligned to the respective microlens or lenslet attached to the first glass tube.
8 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein each fiber support assembly of the plurality of fiber support assemblies further comprises:
a pump fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the pump fiber has a second tapered end cap; and
a reflector configured to receive counter-pumping light from the pump fiber and direct the counter-pumping light to the first tapered end cap of the gain fiber.
9 . The system according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a respective seed or source, a respective amplifier front end, and one or more respective mode adapters connected to a respective gain fiber.
10 . The system according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a respective counter-pumping source connected to a respective pump fiber.
11 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of fiber support assemblies are disposed in a triangular array.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a v-groove support structure configured to hold the triangular array of fiber support assemblies.
13 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of fiber support assemblies are disposed in a hexagonal array or a square array.
14 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of fiber support assemblies are stacked on one another to form an aligned array of fiber support assemblies.
15 . A fiber support assembly, comprising:
a first glass tube, wherein the first glass tube is attached to a microlens or lenslet of a microlens or lenslet array;
a second glass tube at least partially disposed within the first glass tube; and
a gain fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the gain fiber has a first tapered end cap, and wherein the gain fiber with the first tapered end cap is aligned to the microlens or lenslet attached to the first glass tube;
wherein the fiber support assembly further comprises:
a pump fiber disposed within the second glass tube, wherein the pump fiber has a second tapered end cap; and
a reflector configured to receive counter-pumping light from the pump fiber and direct the counter-pumping light to the first tapered end cap of the gain fiber.
16 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a third glass tube disposed between the first glass tube and the second glass tube.
17 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the reflector is a dichroic mirror.
18 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the gain fiber is adjustable for alignment based on movement of the second glass tube relative to the first glass tube.
19 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the gain fiber is configured to be aligned to the microlens or lenslet using an alignment station with a camera.
20 . The fiber support assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the first tapered end cap has an outer diameter that increases from one end of the first tapered end cap to another end of the first tapered end cap, and wherein the first tapered end cap is configured to receive the counter-pumping light.