Use of hollow-core fibers to deliver nanosecond Nd:YAG laser pulses to form sparks in gases |
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Authors: | Yalin A P DeFoort M Willson B Matsuura Y Miyagi M |
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Institution: | Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. ayalin@engr.colostate.edu |
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Abstract: | We report what is to our knowledge the first delivery of nanosecond laser pulses through flexible fibers to produce optical sparks in atmospheric-pressure gases. Our work employs a Nd:YAG laser beam (1.064 microm) delivered through a cyclic olefin polymer-coated silver hollow fiber. We studied the beam properties at the fiber exit as a function of the fiber launch geometry. We found that for a low-angle launch (approximately 0.01 rad half-angle), the exit beam has relatively high optical intensity (approximately 2 GW/cm2) and low light divergence (approximately 0.01 rad half-angle) and allows downstream spark formation. The effect of fiber bending on the exit beam and on the ability to make sparks is also investigated. |
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