Modal Theory of Coupled Resonators for External Cavity Beam Combining

Khajavikhan, Mercedeh; Leger, James R.

doi:10.1002/9783527652778.ch10

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The path length sensitivity of coupled laser cavities has been extensively studied 8 . Simple beam superposition of two lasers can be achieved by using a beam splitter or 3-dB coupler 9,10 .…”

Section: Path Length Sensitivity Of Beam Combining Architecturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in coupled laser cavity design

Leger

Chiang

Nilsson³

et al. 2013

SPIE Proceedings

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External cavity coherent beam combining represents a path forward to higher fiber laser radiance, with several groups demonstrating scalable approaches. In this paper, we review recent advances in coupled laser cavity design. In particular, we compare various designs and describe the pros and cons of each with regard to sensitivity to path length errors. Experimental measurements using a specially designed dual-core fiber demonstrate the modal loss from a superposition architecture. A second area of investigation is concerned with Q-switch suppression in coupled laser cavities. The increased cavity loss that accompanies path length errors in the laser arms can suppress lasing, causing an energy build-up in the laser inversion. When the path length errors are removed and the cavity resumes its low loss state, the stored energy can be released in a manner analogous to Q-switching, creating a giant laser pulse. Since the peak power of this pulse can be many orders of magnitude larger than the cw power, the high instantaneous intensity can cause irreparable damage to optical components. We investigate passive systems that are designed to suppress this unwanted Q-switching by allowing alternative lasing paths to clamp the gain.

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Section: Path Length Sensitivity Of Beam Combining Architecturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in coupled laser cavity design

Leger

Chiang

Nilsson³

et al. 2013

SPIE Proceedings

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For efficient cavity operation, however, there is a third condition that must be met: the phase of each laser source must match those required by the Dammann grating. Changes in the individual laser phases away from the optimum results in additional cavity loss, a less efficient laser, and eventually a quenching of lasing action altogether [5]. There are two approaches to ensuring that the phase state is properly established [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonlinear effects in coherently coupled laser resonators

Leger

Chiang

2014

SPIE Proceedings

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A procedure is described to accurately measure the self phase-tuning in a coupled fiber laser. A fiber is designed and fabricated to eliminate the effects of self-tuning from wavelength shifting, thermal expansion, and thermally induced index change, allowing us to study the phase effects produced by Kramers-Kronig phase shifting as a function of various cavity parameters. For sufficient pump power, we observe that the Kramers-Kronig effect is capable of compensating for all path length errors introduced into the cavity, resulting in efficient lasing under all path length conditions. We have directly measured the Kramers-Kronig-induced phase shift and present experimental evidence that this additional phase compensates for the applied phase error and promotes efficient lasing.

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Passive Coherent Laser Beam Combining With Spatial Mode Selecting Feedback

Kunkel

Leger

2019

IEEE J. Quantum Electron.

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Modal Theory of Coupled Resonators for External Cavity Beam Combining

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Recent advances in coupled laser cavity design

Recent advances in coupled laser cavity design

Nonlinear effects in coherently coupled laser resonators

Passive Coherent Laser Beam Combining With Spatial Mode Selecting Feedback

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