摘要 |
An optical beam is made closer to diffraction limited by coupling it into a multi-mode guide, such as an optical fiber, of sufficient length to generate a stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) return beam with improved divergence. For this purpose the term DELTA kL is made substantially greater than pi , where DELTA k is the difference in propagation vectors between the input and SBS beams, and L is the mutual interaction length of the input and SBS beams within the fiber. Beam amplification can also be provided by coupling a plurality of low power input beams that have respective wavelengths within the fiber's SBS linewidth into the fiber so that each of the input beams transfers energy into the SBS beam, which emerges with a power greater than that of any of its inputs. The beam cleanup and amplification functions are capable of operating with continuous wave or pulsed inputs.
|