Beam diagnostics and feedback method and system for spectrally beam-combined lasers
US8630323B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1001
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and method for control of lasers (which use an array of optical gain fibers) in order to improve spectrally beam-combined (SBC) laser beam quality along the plane of the SBC fiber array via spectral-to-spatial mapping of a portion of the spectrally beam-combined laser beams, detection of optical power in each of the spatially dispersed beams and feedback control of the lasers for wavelength-drift correction. The apparatus includes a diffractive element; a source of a plurality of substantially monochromatic light beams directed from different angles to a single location on the diffractive element, wherein the diffractive element spectrally combines the plurality of light beams into a single beam. A controller adjusts characteristics of the light beams if one of the light beams has become misadjusted. In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the wavelength tuning of the respective fiber laser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.