Fiber laser has the advantages of good beam quality, high energy density, high electro-optical conversion efficiency, good heat dissipation, compact structure, maintenance-free, and flexible transmission. It has become the mainstream direction of laser technology development and the main force of application. The overall electro-optical efficiency of fiber lasers is 30% to 35%, and most of the energy is lost in the form of heat. Therefore, the temperature control during the working process of the laser directly determines the quality and service life of the laser. The traditional contact temperature measurement method will destroy the structure of the laser body, while the single-point non-contact temperature measurement method cannot accurately capture the fiber temperature. The use of an infrared thermal imaging camera to detect the total length of the optical fiber, especially the temperature of the optical fiber fusion splice, can effectively ensure the development and quality control of optical fiber products.

1. The main application points of infrared thermal imaging cameras in optical fiber temperature monitoring

Optical fiber fusion splice quality monitoring

In the manufacturing process of high-power fiber lasers, optical discontinuities and defects of a certain size may exist at the fiber fusion splice. Serious defects can cause abnormal heat at the fiber fusion splice, which may damage the laser or burn out hot spots. Therefore, temperature monitoring of fiber fusion splices is an important link in the manufacturing process of fiber lasers. The use of an infrared thermal imaging camera can realize the temperature monitoring of the optical fiber fusion splicing point, so as to judge whether the quality of the optical fiber splicing point under test is qualified or not, and improve the product quality.

LD pump source

The laser power output by a single LD chip is limited. Pumping packs multiple LD chips together to increase output power. Pumping generates a lot of heat, so temperature directly affects the laser wavelength output by the chip. Use an infrared thermal imaging camera to inspect the quality of each pump's incoming materials, and return unqualified pumps to ensure the quality of the laser.

Laser reflection protection verification test

Fiber lasers are easily damaged by back-reflected laser light from metal workpieces. Therefore, high-quality fiber lasers need a reflection protection mechanism to simulate the reverse input of a certain power laser before leaving the factory to ensure quality. Using infrared thermal imaging camera to detect, the laser reflection protection verification is accurate and reliable.

Combiner

The function of the beam combiner is to combine N pump lasers into one laser to achieve high-power output of the laser. The use of thermal imaging cameras for factory inspections can effectively reduce the probability of pump returns.

Second, the unique advantages of infrared thermal imaging cameras used in fiber laser detection

1. Infrared thermal imaging camera has the characteristics of long-distance, non-contact, and non-disintegration.

2. Professional temperature measurement tools, free to select the monitoring temperature area, and automatically obtain the highest temperature point.

3. Support setting temperature threshold, duration, sampling interval, etc. to realize automatic data collection and curve generation.

4. Support multiple forms of alarm linkage, prompting staff or linkage automation equipment for management and control.

5. Support secondary development and technical services to help customers form independent advantages.