Advantages and disadvantages of using a fiber-coupled laser

Advantages and disadvantages of using a fiber-coupled laser

Fiber coupled diode lasers provide researchers with a convenient way to couple the output of the laser to the fiber.  This allows it to be delivered to specific areas, for example, fiber-coupled lasers used for skin treatment in specific areas of the skin.  Of course, this is just an example of using a fiber optic component on a standard diode laser.  
 
There are pros and cons to using any type of laser for a particular application, and here are the most salient advantages:  

• Fiber optic coupling devices can be easily combined with a variety of different fiber optic machines and components.  
• The light from optical fibers is smooth and round, and the beam is more symmetrical, which many researchers will find beneficial.  
• It is easy to remove the fiber coupling from the laser head and its power or cooling mechanism.  
• You have more control and a more aligned beam.  

Disadvantages of using fiber coupled lasers include:  

•  They are generally more expensive, but because their beams are finer and easier to process and deliver, using a fiber-optic system may offset other costs.  This makes the increased costs worthwhile in both the long and short term.  
• Some beams, including brightness, are reduced in intensity due to coupling.  The type of coupling will be important as this will control the amount of beam strength loss as it can be minimized with the correct coupling.  
• Polarization is uneven and varies with increasing or decre
• asing motion or temperature.  This can lead to some problems with DPSS lasers that require specific polarization.