{"id":75569,"date":"2024-11-28T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasit.it\/?p=75569"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:46:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:46:34","slug":"laser-marking-fiber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasitlaser.com\/laser-marking-fiber\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiber laser: what it is, how it works, and its applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Process automation <\/strong>is today in the largest demand on the industrial market, which must meet very high production requirements<\/strong> and adapt to an increasingly aggressive competitiveness, in which time often plays a fundamental role. The most important consequence of this is the search for high performance tools and technologies that can adapt to different needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we speak of efficiency and flexibility<\/strong> in the world of Laser Marking and its infinite applications<\/strong>, we certainly place fiber lasers<\/strong><\/a> in first place. In today’s market, these are by far the most used in companies<\/strong> that use this technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the fibre optic laser?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fibre laser represents one of the most advanced and widely used technologies in the field of industrial laser marking. This particular type of laser uses an optical fibre doped with ytterbium as the active medium to generate the laser beam. Unlike conventional lasers, the fibre laser is characterised by its outstanding energy efficiency and the superior quality of the light beam produced. In the specific context of laser marking, this technology has revolutionised the industry with its millimetre accuracy and ability to work on a wide range of materials, such as metals and plastics. The fibre laser marking system is characterised by its compactness, minimal maintenance required and long service life, which can exceed 100,000 working hours. These features, coupled with the high process speed and the ability to produce high-quality permanent markings, have made the fibre laser the preferred choice for numerous industrial applications, from product traceability to component customisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does it work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fibre laser belongs to the solid-state laser family and is distinguished by its innovative operating principle. Unlike conventional lasers, the laser beam generation process starts with a low-power ‘seed’ laser, whose beam is progressively amplified through a series of ytterbium-doped optical fibres. Amplification occurs thanks to pumping diodes, which supply energy to the fibre through direct coupling, eliminating the inefficiencies caused by air gaps present in conventional systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The structure of the fibre laser is characterised by its integrated ‘all-fibre’ architecture, where all critical components – the active fibre, fibre combiners and pump laser diodes – are directly connected to the main fibre via permanent splices. This configuration represents a significant advantage over diode or lamp lasers, where the components are separate and mounted on a platform with mechanical alignments that can deteriorate over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The technical performance of the fibre laser is remarkable: it operates at a wavelength of 1064 \u00b5m and, thanks to its extremely small focal diameter, achieves an intensity 100 times higher than CO2 lasers of the same power. The electro-optical conversion efficiency exceeds 30%, an exceptional value that translates into low energy consumption in the order of a few hundred watts. The cooling system, simpler than conventional lasers, contributes to the overall reliability of the device, guaranteeing an operating life of more than 100,000 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laser beam generation process can be schematised in three main steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n