Hollow fibers for infrared laser light transmission : Hitachi Cable

Features |

Application |

Structure |

Appearance |

Main properties |

Example of transmission properties |

Laser light of the wavelength of 2 µm or longer in the infrared region is useful for medical and industrial processing applications, and sources for such light include the Er-YAG and CO₂ lasers. In this wavelength region, silica glass fiber optics cannot be used for delivering such light. Thus, we have newly developed flexible hollow fibers for infrared laser light transmission. As the core region is hollow, the damage threshold of the fiber end face is high, and thus, the newly developed fibers are suitable for high power laser energy delivery. The fibers are not only effective for invisible infrared light, but visible light can also be superposed as the light guide, and air can also be introduced inside the fibers. These hollow fibers have made it possible to construct laser systems with higher operability than conventional articulated arm delivery systems consisting of mirrors and arms.

Features

High flexibility
Negligible reflection loss at the end faces with high loss threshold-making it suitable for energy delivery, including pulse delivery involving high peak power.
Non-toxic and highly durable.
Smaller output beam divergence angle and improved focusing characteristic over conventional fiber optics.

Application

(1)Laser delivery systems for dental and medical applications

For Er-YAG laser light transmission (Hard tissue treatment)
For CO₂ laser light transmission (Soft tissue treatment, laser incision)

(2)Laser processing, including laser marking

(3)Infrared spectroscopy measurements and sensing

[Japanese patent] 3566232
[Overseas patents] US 5995696, GB 2361776

Structure

Appearance

Main properties

Transmission wavelength	2.94 µm (For Er-YAG laser) 10.6 µm (For CO₂ laser)
Standard dimensions	Length: 2 m Inner diameter: 700 µm; Outer diameter: 850 µm
Transmission efficiency	> 80% (Over a straight length of 2 m)

Example of transmission properties

Please contact us if you desire transmission wavelengths or dimensions other than indicated above.
In addition to the silica glass flexible capillary fibers, we also offer hollow fibers made of silver-clad stainless tubes-which can be used as mechanically strong short laser probes.
The mechanical strength and transmission characteristics depend on the use environment, incident conditions, and beam quality of the laser source.