680 hrs endurance test of a DUV laser beam delivery via a connectorized hollow-core photonic crystal fiber Paper #
Abstract
Laser beam delivery is crucial in fields like surgery, micromachining, spectroscopy and scientific applications. Hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HCPCF) technology, with its exceptional energy and power handling, is becoming a recognized component in several industries. However, this maturity and industrial adoption have been thus far limited to the infrared and visible spectral ranges. For instance, the UV and DUV ranges have been scarcely addressed and remain a challenge for laser beam delivery due to chemical and physical alteration of most solid materials when exposed to light whose wavelength is below 300 nm. This technology gap in UV light beam delivery contrasts with the ever growing need for UV lasers to be delivered to the work piece in a safe, flexible and costeffective manner. In this communication, we report on the development of inhibited-coupling HCPCF (IC-HCPCF) with record transmission losses inferior to 50 dB/km at 266 nm and solarization-free. A 2 meter-long sections of this IC-HCPCF are then mounted into SMA termination patchcords for UV power handling and life-span tests. A laser beam of a 266 nm wavelength laser-source, emitting 1 ns wide and 37 µJ energy pulses, was coupled into the IC-HCPCF patchcord, reaching a total transmission rate of 93%. Finally, the laser beam was kept continuously coupled into the patchcord for over 680 hrs. The results show excellent stability of the transmitted power (fluctuations of less than 5 %), as well as the fiber output mode quality. To our knowledge this is the first fiber guidance of DUV laser that combines high energy handling and long lifespan. The results mark a major milestone in the adoption of fiber UV laser beam delivery by the industrial community.
Domains
Optics / Photonic
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680 hrs endurance test of a DUV laser beam delivery via a connectorized hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.pdf (162.88 Ko)
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