Method and apparatus to coherently combine high-power beams in self-imaging waveguides
US7239777B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2813
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for combining laser beams into a single high power output beam. The apparatus includes a self-imaging waveguide (SIWG) with parallel reflective elements that have a length that is an integer multiple of the self-imaging or Talbot length of the waveguide or an integer fraction of this self-imaging length. The apparatus also includes a system for controlling the phase of each of laser beams provided to an inlet of the waveguide. The phases are controlled, e.g., with phase shifters using active feedback or control signals from the inlet to the waveguide, such that a coherently combined beam is produced at the outlet of the waveguide; and this beam is typically a high power beam of 1 kW or higher. The phase shifters are often controlled to phase-lock the input beams and may be operated to steer or aim the output beam from the waveguide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.