What is the source of laser in a fiber laser machine?

Struggling with inconsistent cuts or high maintenance in your current laser system? You're not alone. Many industrial users face these issues until they discover what truly powers precision in fiber laser machines.

The source of laser in a fiber laser machine is a rare-earth doped optical fiber, excited by high-power diode lasers, which produce a highly focused and stable beam ideal for industrial cutting.

For those of us at Kirin Laser, understanding this core component is not just science—it’s a game-changer for how we serve industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and heavy equipment. Let's explore deeper.

What is the source of laser in fiber optics?

Most people think the laser comes directly from the fiber, but that’s just part of the story. If you want consistent cutting power, you need to know how that beam is actually generated.

In fiber optics, the laser source is an optical fiber doped with elements like ytterbium, which is pumped by diode lasers. This setup generates a stable, high-energy laser beam.

How the Laser is Generated

At Kirin Laser, our fiber laser cutting machines rely on a solid-state architecture. Here's how the process works:

1. Diode lasers produce light at a specific wavelength.
2. This light enters a special optical fiber¹ that’s doped with ytterbium.
3. Inside the fiber, the photons excite the ytterbium ions, causing them to release more photons through stimulated emission².
4. The fiber acts as both gain medium and beam delivery system.

Component	Role
Diode Lasers	Pump source for the active fiber
Ytterbium-Doped Fiber	Gain medium for laser amplification
Optical Isolator	Prevents feedback and stabilizes beam
Collimator & Focusing Lens	Shapes the beam for cutting

This process creates a beam with excellent coherence, focusability, and energy efficiency—perfect for cutting metals and reflective materials.

Which fiber laser source is best?

With so many options—IPG, Raycus, MaxPhotonics—it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But from a procurement point of view, which source truly delivers?

The best fiber laser source depends on your industry needs, but at Kirin Laser, we prioritize IPG and Raycus sources for their reliability, performance, and global support infrastructure.

Choosing the Right Source: What We’ve Learned

Through OEM and production for clients in 40+ countries, we've seen what works and what doesn't. Here's our take:

1. IPG Photonics

• Pros: Highest beam quality³, longest lifespan
• Cons: Premium pricing
• Best for: Aerospace, medical, and high-precision applications

2. Raycus

• Pros: Great cost-to-performance ratio⁴, widely available
• Cons: Slightly less stable under extreme conditions
• Best for: General industrial cutting, OEM integration

3. MaxPhotonics

• Pros: Affordable, improving quickly
• Cons: Still catching up in global service
• Best for: Budget-conscious bulk orders

Brand	Beam Quality	Lifespan	Cost	Global Support
IPG	★★★★★	100k hrs	$$$$	✔✔✔✔✔
Raycus	★★★★☆	80k hrs	$$$	✔✔✔✔
MaxPhotonics	★★★☆☆	60k hrs	$$	✔✔✔

At Kirin Laser, we also allow custom configuration. We guide clients like John Smith from Smith Laser Tech in choosing the right source depending on their market position and client demands.

Does fiber laser need gas?

This question pops up in every technical meeting. Let’s break the myth and tell it straight: sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Fiber lasers do not require gas to generate the laser beam, but auxiliary gases like nitrogen or oxygen are commonly used to improve cutting quality and speed depending on the material.

When Do You Need Assist Gas?

Here’s the breakdown we give to new distributors and clients:

No Gas Needed:

• Laser Marking
• Engraving
• Welding on thin materials

Gas Required:

• Cutting thick stainless steel (Nitrogen)⁵: Prevents oxidation
• Cutting carbon steel (Oxygen)⁶: Boosts cutting speed with oxidizing reaction
• Cutting aluminum (Air/Nitrogen): Enhances edge quality

Process	Assist Gas Needed	Recommended Gas
Laser Marking	No	None
Mild Steel Cut	Yes	Oxygen
Stainless Cut	Yes	Nitrogen
Aluminum Cut	Yes	Air or Nitrogen

Gas integration depends on the application. At Kirin Laser, we offer integrated solutions with built-in gas control systems. That way, clients can switch between materials without needing external configurations.

What is the source of the laser machine?

Many assume the machine itself generates the beam like magic. In reality, the source is often a separate but crucial module inside the system.

In a laser machine, the laser source is a modular device—usually located inside the machine housing—that uses semiconductor diodes and doped fibers to generate the laser beam.

Dissecting the Machine Architecture

At Kirin Laser, our machines are designed for easy access and maintenance. Here’s what’s inside:

Key Components:

1. Laser Source Module
   • Includes diode pump and fiber
   • Determines power output (1kW to 20kW)
2. Control System
   • Human-machine interface (HMI)
   • Motion control, power modulation
3. Cooling System⁷
   • Keeps source and optics at stable temperature
4. Cutting Head
   • Includes collimating lens and focus lens
   • Features automatic height adjustment

Module	Function
Fiber Laser Source8	Generates the high-powered beam
CNC Controller	Executes cutting paths and logic
Cooling Unit	Regulates heat for stability
Motion Platform	Moves the material or laser head

One of our aerospace clients transitioned from a bulky CO₂ machine to our compact fiber unit. Their previous machine had frequent beam instability. Our modular source design gave them better uptime, simpler maintenance, and faster adaptation to new production lines.

Conclusion

The true power of a fiber laser machine⁹ comes from the sophisticated laser source inside it—specifically a diode-pumped, ytterbium-doped fiber. At Kirin Laser, we design machines that harness this source with unmatched precision, tailored to industrial needs. Whether you're choosing between IPG and Raycus, or wondering about gas usage, the answers all trace back to the source. And when the source is right, everything else follows.