Connect: Coupling Light from 2 LEDs into a Single Fiber

In summary: OctoInSummary: You are trying to couple light from 2 LEDs into a fiber and then join both fibers, but it is more complicated than just putting the fiber in front of the LED. You may need to use condenser lenses and a dichroic mirror to achieve the correct focal length.
  • #1
Octo
2
0
Hi,

I am looking for a suitable method to couple light from 2 LEDs into a fiber and then join both fibers, so that I only have one fiber at the end so that both wavelengths can be emitted from a single fiber.
The first coupling step from LED into fiber seems to be more easy, I already heard some just put the fiber in front of the LED and hope for the best. This seems to work kinda well for them.
The more complex step is to couple light from two individual fibers into a single fiber afterwards. I know there are some fiber couplers, but unfortunately not in the wavelength range I want to use as far as I know (UV light decomposes glue).

Therefore, I think about using several ball lenses to achieve my goal, but my understandings of optics is not good enough to really know if it would work this way (or maybe is there a programm to calculate such things?). You can see my plan attached.

The scheme is somewhat size accurate, the light path is drawn from my hopes. :)

Here are my specs:
LED1: 365 nm, 120 ° angle
LED2: 465 nm, 130 ° angle
fiber: 1000 µm core, 300 - 800 nm, 0.39 NA or 0.22 NA
ball lenses: d = 8 mm or 4 mm, n = 1,458, 200 - 2200 nm

Can someone confirm, that this would work or tell me problems with this? I have in mind that I would need to adjust the lens fiber distances so that the focal length is correct.

Thanks
Octo
 

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  • #2
Octo said:
Summary:: A suitable method for coupling light from LEDs into fibers and then fuse 2 fibers into one.

Hi,

I am looking for a suitable method to couple light from 2 LEDs into a fiber and then join both fibers, so that I only have one fiber at the end so that both wavelengths can be emitted from a single fiber.
The first coupling step from LED into fiber seems to be more easy, I already heard some just put the fiber in front of the LED and hope for the best. This seems to work kinda well for them.
The more complex step is to couple light from two individual fibers into a single fiber afterwards. I know there are some fiber couplers, but unfortunately not in the wavelength range I want to use as far as I know (UV light decomposes glue).

Therefore, I think about using several ball lenses to achieve my goal, but my understandings of optics is not good enough to really know if it would work this way (or maybe is there a programm to calculate such things?). You can see my plan attached.

The scheme is somewhat size accurate, the light path is drawn from my hopes. :)

Here are my specs:
LED1: 365 nm, 120 ° angle
LED2: 465 nm, 130 ° angle
fiber: 1000 µm core, 300 - 800 nm, 0.39 NA or 0.22 NA
ball lenses: d = 8 mm or 4 mm, n = 1,458, 200 - 2200 nm

Can someone confirm, that this would work or tell me problems with this? I have in mind that I would need to adjust the lens fiber distances so that the focal length is correct.

Thanks
Octo
What you are trying to do seems to require an excessive amount of alignment headaches. If the LEDs aren't already pigtailed to fibers, why can't you directly couple both LEDs into a single fiber by, for example, using a dichroic mirror?

PS-"just put the fiber in front of the LED and hope for the best" is a bad strategy for a variety of reasons: not just poor coupling efficiency, but also high susceptibility to misalignment/vibration/dust/ etc.
 
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  • #3
Yeah, that's why I originally intended to use a fiber coupler. But you are right, getting the light of both LEDs into one fiber directly at the start seems to be way better. I kinda blocked my mind with the idea of coupling two fibers. Thanks!

So from my understanding now, I would have to focus the light of both LEDs on the fiber tip. So I would think I need condenser lenses for both LEDs and send one beam from behind a dichroic mirror and one mirroring from one side, right?
I will look for a suitable dichroic mirror then, I hope I can find one separating UV and vis light.
 

FAQ: Connect: Coupling Light from 2 LEDs into a Single Fiber

How does the process of coupling light from two LEDs into a single fiber work?

The process of coupling light from two LEDs into a single fiber involves using a beam splitter to divide the light from each LED into two beams. These beams are then combined and focused into a single fiber using lenses and mirrors.

What is the purpose of coupling light from two LEDs into a single fiber?

The purpose of coupling light from two LEDs into a single fiber is to increase the power and efficiency of the light source. By combining the light from multiple sources, the overall output is stronger and more focused.

What are the benefits of using a single fiber for light coupling?

Using a single fiber for light coupling allows for a more compact and efficient system. It also reduces the number of optical components needed, which can decrease the cost and complexity of the setup.

Are there any limitations to coupling light from two LEDs into a single fiber?

One limitation of this process is the potential for interference between the two light sources. This can result in a decrease in the overall power and efficiency of the light output. Additionally, the quality of the lenses and mirrors used can also affect the performance of the coupling.

What applications typically use light coupling from multiple LEDs into a single fiber?

This technique is commonly used in fiber optic communication systems, laser diode pumping, and fiber optic sensing. It is also used in medical and industrial applications, such as endoscopy and laser cutting.

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