Fiber vs Infrared Laser: Waht's the Difference?

Understanding the differences between a fiber laser and an infrared(IR) laser is crucial when deciding which is suitable for engraving metals, plastics, and other hard materials.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on Fiber laser vs IR laser, delving into their working principles, similarities, differences, and applications. 

What is a Fiber Laser?

A fiber laser is a type of solid-state laser that utilizes laser diodes as its light source for generating laser beams. The light is directed through a fiber-optic cable, giving this laser its name—fiber laser. 

The key component of a fiber laser is the fiber optic cable, which distinguishes it from other laser types and is responsible for its unique characteristics, features, and performance. To understand the working of fiber lasers, we must delve into the details of the fiber optic cable.

Examining the cross-section of a fiber-optic cable reveals an outer cladding, an inner cladding, and a core of silica glass doped with a rare-earth element at the center. The core is selectively doped, and the doping element varies depending on the fiber laser's application, determining the output laser beam's final wavelength. 

The generated light enters the doped core, where the claddings reflect any light that deviates from its intended path, ensuring optimal direction. The light then passes through a specialized convex lens called Bragg gratings, which converges the light into a powerful laser beam. Subsequently, the beam goes through an oscillator to enhance coherence before being outputted. Once the laser beam falls on an object, it is ready to perform its designated task.

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What is an Infrared (IR) Laser?

What we commonly refer to as infrared lasers are lasers with a wavelength of 1064nm. Like fiber lasers, they're also a solid-state laser that uses laser diodes to generate light. However, unlike fiber lasers, it does not employ optical fibers as the gain medium. 

Infrared(IR) lasers are named as such because the emitted light's wavelength falls within the infrared spectrum, ranging from 700nm to 1mm (1,000,000nm). Since the laser beam is within the infrared region, it is invisible to the human eye and has no discernable color.

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Fiber Lasers vs Infrared(IR) Lasers: Differences & Similarities

The main distinctions between infrared and fiber lasers lie in their construction, working mechanisms, wavelength, power, performance, speed, size, and price.

1. Working Mechanism and Construction

In terms of construction and working mechanisms, infrared lasers are simpler. Fiber lasers, on the other hand, have a more complex construction, utilizing special optical fibers made from rare-earth elements.

2. Wavelength

While fiber lasers can have varying wavelengths depending on the doped element used (e.g., ytterbium, neodymium, erbium, holmium), infrared lasers have a fixed wavelength of 1064 nm. If you need a fiber laser engraver of 1064nm, then you need to use ytterbium as the doped material. For 780-1100nm, neodymium is used. Other commonly doped materials are:

• praseodymium: wavelength = 1300nm
• erbium: wavelength = 1462-1640nm
• thulium: wavelength = 1900+nm
• holmium: wavelength = 2025-2200nm
• dysprosium: wavelength = 2600-3400nm

With that being said, the wavelength of a fiber laser is not limited to 1064nm; it can be more or less but is always in the infrared region of light. However, the most-used wavelength in fiber lasers on the market is 1064nm. On the other hand, the wavelength of Infrared(IR) lasers is 1064 nm, which cannot be changed. 

3. Laser Power

Fiber lasers boast significantly higher power than infrared lasers, with optical power ranging from 20W to several hundred watts or more. 

Secondly, the peak power of fiber lasers is very high. Even if the optical power of the machine is 50-100 watts, the peak power can reach over 10,000 watts. It is because fiber lasers can also work in the pulsed operation mode that offers pulses of very intense energy. Thus, fiber lasers can engrave and cut hard materials, such as metals, without any hassle.

Infrared(IR) lasers have a common power range of 1-2W, but their peak power can reach up to 15,000 watts, making them capable of marking on metals as well.

4.  Performance and Speed

When it comes to performance and speed, both fiber and infrared lasers excel, depending on their power rating. Fiber lasers offer faster engraving and cutting due to their immense power and high peak power, while infrared lasers work at a slightly slower pace but still deliver impressive results.

5. Machine Size

In terms of size, fiber laser engravers are typically 3-10 times larger than infrared laser engravers, making them unsuitable for home or small spaces. In contrast, infrared laser engravers can come in compact and small sizes.

In conclusion, both fiber and infrared laser engravers are suitable for small business. However, choose a fiber laser engraver if you need to achieve deep engraving on metal.

Fiber Lasers vs Infrared(IR) Lasers: Applications

Choosing between a fiber laser engraver and an infrared(IR) laser engraver depends on the specific application. Here are some common laser applications and the recommended laser type for each:

1. Jewelry Engraving

Both fiber and infrared lasers are excellent choices for engraving metal jewelry. However, choose a fiber laser if you need deep engraving.

2. Plastic Engraving

Both fiber and infrared lasers deliver premium results when engraving plastic or acrylic, as the engravings are clearly visible. 

3. Metal Cutting

For cutting metal sheets up to 0.05mm, a suitable infrared laser engraver can be used, but not all machines are capable of doing so. For thicker metals, a fiber laser engraver specifically designed for laser cutting metals is required.

4.  Laser Welding

A fiber laser welder is the best option for laser welding, as they provide clean, quick, and precise welds that are difficult to achieve using other methods and technologies.

5. Laser Cleaning

Fiber laser cleaning machines are ideal for industrial-grade laser cleaning. They can remove rust, paint, and other unwanted substances from surfaces.