Total internal reflection laser tools and methods

摘要

There is provided high power laser tools and laser heads that utilize total internal reflection (“TIR”) structures to direct the laser beam along a laser beam path within the TIR structure. The TIR structures may be a TIR prism having its hypotenuse as a TIR surface.

主权项

1. A total internal reflection high power laser tool, for use in hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon production or the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells, the tool comprising:
a. a beam tube, defining a tool axis, the beam tube comprising a laser beam path for transmitting a laser beam within the beam tube and a fluid path for transmitting a fluid; b. a housing in fluid communication with the beam tube, the housing comprising a single and unitary total internal reflection polyhedron structure comprised of a material transmissive to the laser beam; and, a passage defined in part by a total internal reflection surface of the total internal reflection polyhedron structure, the passage in fluid communication with the beam tube fluid path and removed from the laser beam path; c. the laser beam path extending through a first surface of the total internal reflection polyhedron structure and into the material; d. the laser beam path extending to and from the total internal reflection surface and forming an angle of incidence θi on the total internal reflection surface that is greater than a critical angle θc for the total internal reflection surface; whereby the laser beam traveling along the laser beam path is reflected within the total internal reflection structure by total internal reflection from the total internal reflection surface; and e. the laser beam path extending from the total internal reflection material and exiting the housing along a straight path; the exiting laser beam path forming an angle of about 90° or less with the beam tube axis.