Wavelength Selective External Resonator and Beam Combining System for Dense Wavelength Beam Combining Laser

摘要

Wavelength-selective external resonators can be used to greatly increase the output brightness of dense wavelength beam combining (DWBC) system beams by stabilizing the wavelengths of the beams emitted by the individual emitters of the DWBC laser source. The present invention pertains to external resonant cavities that utilize thin-film filtering elements as wavelength-selective elements in external resonators. The present invention further pertains to particular embodiments that utilize thin-film filtering elements in DWBC systems as both output beam coupling elements and wavelength selective elements. The present invention provides advantages over the prior art that include decreased cost, increased fidelity of wavelength selection, and increased wall plug efficiency.

主权项

1. A beam combining system comprising:
a laser source having a plurality of emitters that each emit a laser beam; a beam wavelength stabilization system comprising:
a wavelength filtering element; anda reflective element; and a beam combining element arranged outside the beam wavelength stabilization system, wherein each laser beam emitted by the plurality of emitters has a single wavelength, wherein the beam wavelength stabilization system receives a portion of the total optical power emitted by the laser source and directs a portion of the received optical power back into the laser source, and wherein the beam combining element receives a portion of the total optical power emitted by the laser source and generates a combined output beam.