Raman beam combining for laser brightness enhancement

US9172208B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Jay W. Dawson · Livermore, US
• Graham S. Allen · Livermore, US
• Paul H. Pax · Union City, US
• John E. Heebner · Livermore, US
• Arun K. Sridharan · Fremont, US
• Alexander M. Rubenchik · Livermore, US
• Chrisopher B. J. Barty · Hayward, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 20, 2013
• Grant date: Oct 27, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/09408
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical source capable of enhanced scaling of pulse energy and brightness utilizes an ensemble of single-aperture fiber lasers as pump sources, with each such fiber laser operating at acceptable pulse energy levels. Beam combining involves stimulated Raman scattering using a Stokes' shifted seed beam, the latter of which is optimized in terms of its temporal and spectral properties. Beams from fiber lasers can thus be combined to attain pulses with peak energies in excess of the fiber laser self-focusing limit of 4 MW while retaining the advantages of a fiber laser system of high average power with good beam quality.