KR20250000629A - A laser device capable of simultaneous emission at two wavelengths, selective emission, and output control - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser device capable of simultaneously emitting lasers of different wavelengths, or of controlling the output ratio between lasers having different wavelengths, and capable of simultaneous emitting of two wavelengths, selective emitting of lasers, and controllable output.

Description

{A laser device capable of simultaneous emission at two wavelengths, selective emission, and output control}

The present invention relates to a laser device that simultaneously or selectively irradiates laser beams having two wavelengths using a single laser light source and can control the output ratio.

A multi-wavelength laser is a laser device that can emit lasers at multiple wavelengths simultaneously. Typically, a single-wavelength laser emits lasers at a specific wavelength, but a multi-wavelength laser can emit lasers at two or more wavelengths simultaneously.

Multi-wavelength lasers are used in a variety of applications. For example, in optical communications, multi-wavelength lasers can be used to transmit multiple data channels simultaneously. In scientific research, lasers at different wavelengths can be used to perform various experiments and analyses. Multi-wavelength lasers also play an important role in the medical field. For example, in laser therapy, lasers at different wavelengths can be used to treat different tissues or diseases.

Multi-wavelength lasers can also be combined with wavelength-selective oscillation and power control functions. This means that the laser can be selectively used at a specific wavelength, or oscillated at multiple wavelengths simultaneously. This function helps to make the laser flexible and versatile in various applications.

Conventional multi-wavelength laser technology emits a laser having a fundamental wavelength and uses a nonlinear crystal to convert the wavelength to perform harmonic or parametric oscillation, or uses various laser media to selectively or simultaneously oscillate laser beams of different wavelengths.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 2022657

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device capable of simultaneously emitting lasers of different wavelengths in a conventional laser generating device or of controlling the output ratio between lasers having different wavelengths.

As a means for solving the above problem, a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control may be provided, including a first laser generating unit generating a first laser beam having a first wavelength, a half wave plate configured to control the polarization direction of the first laser beam, a polarizing plate provided at an angle to the half wave plate, a second harmonic generator receiving a laser passed through the polarizing plate and generating a second laser beam having a second wavelength, a second laser generating unit configured to receive the second laser beam and generate a third laser having a third wavelength, and an output unit outputting the first laser beam and the third laser beam reflected from the polarizing plate together.

Meanwhile, the peak time of the third laser beam at the output section may be delayed by a predetermined time compared to the peak time of the first laser beam.

The output ratio of the first laser beam and the second laser beam at the output section can be adjusted depending on the rotation angle of the half-wave plate.

Meanwhile, it may further include a driving unit configured to adjust the rotation angle of the half-wave plate.

Meanwhile, when the rotation angle of the half-wave plate is 0 degrees, only the third laser beam is output.

When the rotation angle of the half-wave plate is 45 degrees, only the first laser beam can be output.

Meanwhile, when the rotation angle of the half-wave plate is greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees, the first laser beam and the third laser beam can be output.

Additionally, the device may further include a pump chamber provided between the half-wave plate and the first laser generating unit and configured to amplify the first laser beam.

Meanwhile, the first laser beam may have a wavelength of 1064 nm, and the second laser beam may have a wavelength of 532 nm,

The third laser beam may have a wavelength of 780 nm.

Meanwhile, the first laser generating unit can be provided with a Q-switching element.

Meanwhile, the first laser generating unit may include Nd:YAG.

Additionally, the second laser generating unit may include Ti:Sapphire.

The laser device according to the present invention has the effect of being able to control the energy ratio of a laser beam having two wavelengths.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a laser device capable of simultaneous two-wavelength oscillation, selective oscillation, and output control according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram when emitting a laser of the first wavelength in one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram when emitting a laser of a third wavelength in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a concept in which the output of a laser of a first wavelength and a laser of a third wavelength are controlled in one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, in the description of the embodiments below, the names of each component may be referred to by different names in the art. However, if there is functional similarity and identity between them, even if a modified embodiment is adopted, it can be viewed as an equivalent configuration. In addition, the symbols added to each component are described for the convenience of explanation. However, the illustrated content in the drawings in which these symbols are described does not limit each component to the scope within the drawings. Likewise, even if an embodiment with some modifications to the configuration in the drawings is adopted, if there is functional similarity and identity, it can be viewed as an equivalent configuration. In addition, if it is recognized as a component that should be naturally included in light of the general level of a technician in the relevant technical field, a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a laser device capable of simultaneous two-wavelength oscillation, selective oscillation, and output control according to one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a laser device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first laser oscillation unit (100), an amplifier (200), a beam distribution unit (300), a second harmonic generator (400), a second laser oscillation unit (500), a beam splitter (700), and an output unit (800).

The first laser oscillation unit (100) is configured to be able to oscillate a first laser beam (L1) of a first wavelength that is Q-switched.

The first laser oscillation unit (100) may include components widely used as components of a cue switch. As an example, the first laser oscillation unit (100) may include a reflector, a Pockels cell, a quarter wave plate, a polarizer, an amplifier (pump chamber), and an output coupler.

The amplifier (200) is configured to receive and amplify the first laser beam (L1). A widely used configuration called a pump chamber may be applied to the amplifier (200). The amplifier (200) may include various crystals depending on the wavelength of the first laser beam (L1). For example, Nd:YAG, Nd:YAP, Nd:YLF, etc. may be applied. Meanwhile, the optical crystal of the amplifier may be a Nd:YAG crystal when the first laser beam is 1064 nm.

The beam distribution unit (300) is configured to be able to divide the amplified first laser beam (L1) into two paths and transmit them. The beam distribution unit (300) is configured to be able to transmit the first laser beam (L1) to the first path or the second path. In addition, the first laser beam (L1) is configured to be able to be simultaneously transmitted to the first path and the second path. At this time, the ratio at which the first laser beam (L1) is transmitted to the first path and the second path can be adjusted.

The beam distribution unit (300) may include a half-wave plate (310), a driving unit (not shown), a polarizing plate (320), and a reflector (600).

The half-wave plate (310) can adjust the direction of the plane of polarization of the first laser beam (L1) by the rotation angle. The driving unit is configured to adjust the rotation angle of the half-wave plate (310). As an example, the driving unit can adjust the angle of the half-wave plate (310) within 0 to 45 degrees. Meanwhile, although not shown, the operation of the driving unit can be controlled by the control of the control unit.

The polarizing plate (320) is irradiated with the first laser beam (L1) that has passed through the half-wave plate (310). At this time, depending on the direction of the polarization plane of the first laser beam (L1), the energy transmitted to the first path by passing through the polarizing plate (320) and the energy reflected by the polarizing plate (320) and transmitted to the second path can be determined.

For example, when the half-wave plate (310) is 0 degrees, the first laser beam (L1) completely passes through the polarizing plate (320) and is transmitted to the first path. Conversely, when the half-wave plate (310) is 45 degrees, the first laser beam (L1) is reflected from the polarizing plate (320) and transmitted to the second path. Meanwhile, when the angle of the half-wave plate (310) is 0 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, the first laser beam (L1) is distributed and transmitted to the first path and the second path. At this time, as the rotation angle of the half-wave plate (310) increases from 0 degrees to 45 degrees, the energy of the first laser beam (L1) passing through the polarizing plate (320) gradually decreases, and the energy of the first laser beam (L1) reflected from the polarizing plate (320) gradually increases.

When the first laser beam (L1) is transmitted by being divided into two paths, the wavelength can be adjusted or amplified in each path to generate laser beams with different properties.

The second harmonic generator (400) can receive the first laser beam (L1) that has passed through the polarizing plate (320) and transmit the second laser beam (L2) whose wavelength is reduced by half. In other words, the frequency of the second laser beam (L2) generated from the second harmonic generator (400) can be twice the frequency of the first laser beam (L1). The second harmonic generator (400) can be KTP (Potassium Titanyl Phosphate) as a nonlinear optical material.

The second laser oscillation unit (500) is configured to receive the second laser and change the wavelength to oscillate the third laser. As an example, the second laser oscillation unit (500) may include a Ti:Sapphire optical crystal. However, the second laser oscillation unit (500) may use a different optical crystal depending on the wavelength of the desired third laser beam (L3).

A beam splitter (700) is provided at the ends of the first path and the second path, and is configured so that a laser beam irradiated along the first path and a laser beam irradiated along the second path can be transmitted toward the output unit (800).

The output unit (800) is configured to transmit the first laser beam (L1) and/or the third laser beam (L3) transmitted via the beam splitter (700) to the outside.

Meanwhile, although not shown, a plurality of reflectors (600) for controlling the path of the laser beam may be configured and provided at appropriate locations for controlling the path of the laser beam.

Meanwhile, the peak time at which the third laser beam (L3) generated from the second laser oscillation unit (500) is irradiated to the outside through the output unit (800) may be delayed by several to several tens of ns compared to the peak time of the first laser beam (L1).

The wavelength of the first laser beam (L1) generated in the laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control according to the present invention may be 1064 nm, and the wavelength of the second laser beam (L2) may be 532 nm. When this is the case, the wavelength of the third laser oscillating from the second laser oscillation unit (500) may be 780 nm.

In the medical field, lasers are widely used. Meanwhile, it is known that the 1064 nm wavelength in the skin has lower melanin absorption and a smaller scattering coefficient than the 780 nm wavelength, so it can penetrate deeper into the skin. Therefore, when 1064 nm is used alone to irradiate high energy to destroy melanin, there is a problem that the wavelength can reach other unwanted tissues and deep layers of the dermis.

On the other hand, the absorption rate of the 780 nm wavelength is relatively higher in skin tissue than that of the 1064 nm wavelength. That is, when a 780 nm laser is irradiated on an area of the skin where melanin is excessively distributed, absorption may not be uniform throughout the entire area, but may occur more strongly in the upper part of the skin.

By examining the two wavelengths, the 1064 nm wavelength can be used at a lower energy than that used alone, thereby inducing a uniform temperature increase throughout the lesion area. Therefore, the propagation of the 1064 nm wavelength to areas other than the lesion can be minimized.

Meanwhile, the 780 nm laser beam is also irradiated to the skin with lower energy than when used alone, and since the 1064 nm laser is irradiated to the tissue first, and the temperature of the entire lesion area is increased, the 780 nm is irradiated, so the tissue can be removed more efficiently than when irradiated with a single wavelength.

The operation of a laser device capable of simultaneous two-wavelength oscillation, selective oscillation, and output control according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram when emitting a laser of the first wavelength in one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 2, a first laser beam (L1) having a wavelength of 1064 nm can be oscillated from the first laser oscillation unit (100). With the half-wave plate (310) rotated 45 degrees, the first laser beam (L1) is reflected from the light plate and transmitted to the first path. Thereafter, it passes through the beam splitter (700) and the output unit (800) and is irradiated to the outside.

Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram when emitting a laser of a third wavelength in one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the rotation angle of the half-wave plate (310) is adjusted to 0 degrees by the operation of the driving unit, the first laser beam (L1) passes through the polarizing plate (320). Thereafter, the second laser beam (L2) having a wavelength of 532 nm is generated by passing through the secondary harmonic generator (400). Thereafter, the second laser beam (L2) is irradiated to the second laser oscillation unit (500), and the second laser oscillation unit (500) can generate a third laser beam (L3) having a wavelength of 780 nm. Thereafter, the third laser beam (L3) can be irradiated to the outside through the output unit (800).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a concept in which the output of a laser of a first wavelength and a laser of a third wavelength are controlled in one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the driving unit in the beam distribution unit (300) is controlled to adjust the angle of the half-wave plate (310) to more than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees, the first laser beam (L1) can be distributed and irradiated to the first path and the second path.

Thereafter, the first laser beam (L1) irradiated through the first path first passes through the output unit (800), and the third laser beam (L3) generated through the second path passes through the output unit (800). At this time, the peak time of the third laser beam (L3) may be delayed by several to several tens of nm compared to the first laser beam (L1).

As described above, the laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control according to the present invention can generate laser beams of two wavelengths using one light source. In addition, the energy output from the laser beams having two different wavelengths can be controlled, and the peak time can also be controlled.

100: 1st laser oscillator
200: Amplifier
300: Beam distribution unit
310: Half Wave Plate
320: Polarizing plate
400: Second harmonic generator
500: Second laser oscillator
600: Reflector
700: Beam Splitter
800: Output section

Claims (13)

A first laser generating unit generating a first laser beam having a first wavelength;
A half wave plate configured to control the polarization direction of the first laser beam;
A polarizing plate provided at an angle to the above half-wave plate;
A second harmonic generator that receives a laser beam passing through the polarizing plate and generates a second laser beam having a second wavelength;
A second laser generating unit configured to receive the second laser beam and generate a third laser having a third wavelength; and
A laser device capable of simultaneous two-wavelength oscillation, selective oscillation, and output control, including an output section through which a first laser beam reflected from the polarizing plate and a third laser beam are output together. In the first paragraph,
A laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, wherein the peak time of the third laser in the above output section is delayed by a predetermined time from the peak time of the first laser beam. In the second paragraph,
A laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, wherein the output ratio of the first laser beam and the second laser beam at the output section is controlled according to the rotation angle of the half-wave plate. In the third paragraph,
A laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, further comprising a driving unit configured to adjust the rotation angle of the half-wave plate. In the fourth paragraph,
When the rotation angle of the above half-wave plate is 0 degrees, only the third laser beam is output.
A laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, which outputs only the first laser beam when the rotation angle of the half-wave plate is 45 degrees. In clause 5,
A laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation, selective oscillation, and output control of two wavelengths, wherein the first laser beam and the third laser beam are output when the rotation angle of the half-wave plate is greater than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees. In Article 6,
A laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, further comprising a pump chamber provided between the half-wave plate and the first laser generating unit and configured to amplify the first laser beam. In Article 7,
The above first laser beam is a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control having a wavelength of 1064 nm. In Article 8,
The second laser beam is a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation, selective oscillation, and output control of two wavelengths having a wavelength of 532 nm. In Article 9,
The above third laser beam is a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control having a wavelength of 780 nm. In the second paragraph,
The above first laser generating unit is a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, provided with a Q-switching element. In Article 11,
The above first laser generating unit is a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control, including Nd:YAG. In Article 12,
The above second laser generating unit is a laser device capable of simultaneous oscillation of two wavelengths, selective oscillation, and output control including Ti:Sapphire.

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