High power fibre-optic lasers to be developed by University of Southampton

Features of fibre lasers to be examined for manufacturing use

Fibre-optic lasers that can deliver high-power beams efficiently over long distances are to be developed by the University of Southampton, with support from SPI Lasers.

Professor Michalis Zervas, from the university’s Optoelectronic Research Centre, will develop the next generation of high-power laser technology, which will examine features of fibre lasers to be used in manufacturing.

Zervas will develop passive and active fibre technologies, with precisely engineered materials to make fibre-optic lasers 'smarter', more stable and efficient. This includes using composite materials for both the inner core and the outer cladding of the fibres, as well as doping – deliberately introducing impurities into the fibres to enhance their performance.

The technologies will enable the scaling up of powerful fibre lasers with added functionality but a smaller footprint. This allows precise control over the shape of the laser beam, its polarisation, and wavelength – features that can be exploited in new laser manufacturing tools for precise welding, cutting and additive manufacturing.

The fibres will also enable laser light to be delivered over long distances without impairments, enabling smart deployment in industrial settings where flexible, reconfigurable and fully automated factories are increasingly using robotics to remotely deliver laser power.

Zervas said: “The next stage of our research will aim to provide stable 10s to 100kW beams over long distances, and take fibre lasers to where other types of laser cannot go. In addition to intelligent manufacturing, these high-power lasers could also have important national security applications.”