Fiber coupler simultaneously transmits CO2 laser beam, pilot beam

The light of CO2 lasers is often transmitted as a free beam: complex and expensive articulated optical arms bring the light to the required operation site. With the FiberKey ® P, it is now possible for the first time to simultaneously guide CO2 laser light via optical fibers to any point and transmit the light of a pilot beam. Thanks to the pilot beam, the processing beam can be adjusted without a problem. This is the only way to achieve precise orientation.

 

LASER COMPONENTS’ CO2 fiber coupler is optimized for the wavelength 10.6 μm. A ZnSe lens, which currently guarantees coupling at an efficiency of typically 80%, is integrated into the mechanical component, which is flange mounted to conventional lasers.

 

The FiberKey ® P is used in combination with a further-developed hollow-core fiber: in the fiber cladding, the pilot beam is transmitted, and the non-visible laser light is guided in the hollow-core fiber. The hollow-core fibers used by LASER COMPONENTS excel in comparison to competing technologies with lower attenuation values.

 

This product is currently available for an output power of up to 30 W and is, therefore, particularly well-suited for medical applications with CO2 lasers: for example, to cut tissue when removing tumors or in dermatology. Due to the additional transmission of the pilot beam in the FiberKey ® P, the point of impact of the laser light is shown, which makes it possible to work precisely.