TY - GEN

T1 - Quasi-monolithic laser system based on 3D-printed optomechanics

AU - Kranert, Fabian

AU - Budde, Jana

AU - Hinkelmann, Moritz

AU - Wienke, Andreas

AU - Neumann, Jörg

AU - Kracht, Dietmar

AU - Lachmayer, Roland

N1 - Funding Information: The experiments were conducted within the framework of the project “GROTESK – Generative Fertigung optischer, thermaler und struktureller Komponenten” funded by EFRE – NBank (ZW6-85017815).

PY - 2021/3/5

Y1 - 2021/3/5

N2 - An advantage of using additive manufacturing (AM) processes as opposed to conventional fabrication methods is that the additional degrees of freedom in design allow compact and at the same time lightweight components to be manufactured. In addition, AM reduces the material consumption, resulting in a more cost efficient production. Among others, the field of laser development benefits from the progressive implementation of AM-related opportunities. However, this integration is mostly limited to single components. In contrast, we present a compact, lightweight solid-state laser oscillator system for low-power applications based on additively manufactured optomechanical components via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The laser system is based on a Nd:YVO4-crystal pumped externally with a fiber-coupled laser diode at a wavelength of 808nm and a maximum output power of 3 W. The commercial optical components, such as lenses and the crystal, are firmly embedded via FFF in quasi-monolithic optomechanics. Thereby, they are fixed at their position and thus secured against misalignment. Furthermore, sensor technology for temperature monitoring is implemented into the structure. The possibility of the FFF process to work with different materials in parallel is used here. This multi-material printing approach enables the use of the appropriate polymer for the individual mechanical and thermal requirements for any structural part. The thermal stability of the printed structures is evaluated to ensure damage-free operation of the 3D-printed polymer optomechanics. Furthermore, output power, optical-to-optical efficiency, beam pointing, and spatial beam profile of the laser system are measured for several on- and off-switching cycles as well as for long-term operation.

AB - An advantage of using additive manufacturing (AM) processes as opposed to conventional fabrication methods is that the additional degrees of freedom in design allow compact and at the same time lightweight components to be manufactured. In addition, AM reduces the material consumption, resulting in a more cost efficient production. Among others, the field of laser development benefits from the progressive implementation of AM-related opportunities. However, this integration is mostly limited to single components. In contrast, we present a compact, lightweight solid-state laser oscillator system for low-power applications based on additively manufactured optomechanical components via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The laser system is based on a Nd:YVO4-crystal pumped externally with a fiber-coupled laser diode at a wavelength of 808nm and a maximum output power of 3 W. The commercial optical components, such as lenses and the crystal, are firmly embedded via FFF in quasi-monolithic optomechanics. Thereby, they are fixed at their position and thus secured against misalignment. Furthermore, sensor technology for temperature monitoring is implemented into the structure. The possibility of the FFF process to work with different materials in parallel is used here. This multi-material printing approach enables the use of the appropriate polymer for the individual mechanical and thermal requirements for any structural part. The thermal stability of the printed structures is evaluated to ensure damage-free operation of the 3D-printed polymer optomechanics. Furthermore, output power, optical-to-optical efficiency, beam pointing, and spatial beam profile of the laser system are measured for several on- and off-switching cycles as well as for long-term operation.

KW - 3D-printed optomechanics

KW - Additive manufacturing

KW - Compact and lightweight optomechanics

KW - Packaging and mounting of optical components

KW - Solid-state laser system

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85107187301&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1117/12.2577457

DO - 10.1117/12.2577457

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85107187301

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

BT - Components and Packaging for Laser Systems VII

A2 - Glebov, Alexei L.

A2 - Leisher, Paul O.

PB - SPIE

T2 - Components and Packaging for Laser Systems VII 2021

Y2 - 6 March 2021 through 11 March 2021

ER -