The achievement of coherent beam combination is of paramount importance in the advancement of high-power laser systems across various fields, such as defense and communication. In this context, we present a novel filled-aperture coherent beam combiner that integrates essential components including polarization-maintaining fiber elements, Electro-Optic Modulators (EOMs), Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA), a Multi-Plane Light Converter, and a feedback loop employing the Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent (SPGD) algorithm. By leveraging the SPGD algorithm, we attain precise control over the EOMs, enabling stable optical output power. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, as it achieves coherent combination of up to six input channels with high efficiency. Additionally, we observe negligible power loss throughout the duration of the process, while maintaining precise control over thermal and mechanical perturbations. One advantage of this MPLC technology is its direct scalability across different wavelengths. This feature enhances its applicability in a wide range of laser systems.
Coherent combination of laser beams is crucial for high-power laser development in various applications, including defense and communication systems. A filled-aperture coherent beam combiner is introduced, which includes polarization-maintaining fiber components, Electro-Optic Modulators, EDFA, a Multi-Plane Light Converter, and a feedback loop based on the Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent algorithm. The SPGD algorithm allows precise control of the EOMs to achieve stable optical output power. The experimental results demonstrate the proposed approach achieves coherent combination of up to 6 input channels with high efficiency, negligible power loss duration, and precise control over thermal and mechanical perturbations. This technology is directly scalable for different wavelengths.
The development of LBW processes is driven by more complex laser-based welding processes made possible with the development of lasers of higher available power. Nevertheless, most laser-heads are based on refractive optics, limiting the capability to fully use this power. Multi-Plane Light Conversion (MPLC) is a fully reflective technology enabling complex beam shaping through a succession of phase plates. A MPLC-based laser head has been developed providing an annular shape. It presents a less than a 1mm focus shift. LBW as well as HLAW of steal up to 16kW is demonstrated with improved butt-joint configuration gap welds.
Complex touch panel displays development is requiring high performance glass cutting techniques. Femtosecond lasers, combined to Bessel beam generation based on reflective axicons already showed quality and efficiency improvements, while being able to handle high peak and average power.
We described here recent developments for high quality Bessel beam generation using a fully reflective system. This complex Bessel beam presents an intensity plateau along its propagation axis, being twice more homogeneous and having a five times sharper tail compared to a classical Bessel beam. This development paves the way to complex and selective multi-layer glass cutting.
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