Corrective optical element for a coherent beam combining system and system and method for coherent beam combining using same - Patents.com

Abstract

A corrective optical element (COE) for a multi-channel coherent beam combining (CBC) system using a fiber array including a plurality of optical fibers and a single collimation array including a plurality of collimating lenses for coherently combining an array of corresponding light beams directed through the fiber array. The COE has at least the L of each corresponding optical fiber. ij Output end and corresponding collimating lens L ij The segments are configured to be customized to correct collimation-based optical aberrations caused by misalignment between the centers of the segments.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical elements for correcting optical aberrations, and more particularly to corrective optical elements used to correct optical aberrations in multi-channel optical systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Near diffraction-limited high-power lasers, such as amplified fiber lasers (fiber amplifiers), are being implemented in a variety of scientific and industrial applications, enabling the realization of high-power optical signals.

[0003] Coherent beam combining (CBC) is used to combine multiple light beams (channels) of overlapping or identical wavelengths or narrow wavelength bands into a single output beam.

[0004] CBC systems may be implemented by using a phased-array CBC (also known as "side-by-side CBC"), which uses an array of collimators (lenslet arrays), each of which collimates a separate incoming light beam. Other techniques for CBC include one or more diffraction grating elements (also known as "field aperture techniques").

[0005] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

[0006] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numbers may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements. Reference to previously presented elements implies without necessarily further reference to the figure or description in which they appear. The drawings are as follows: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figures 1A-1C show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system in accordance with some embodiments, using a corrective optical element having a custom-designed segmented embossing facing the output surface of the lenslet array of the CBC system, where Figure 1A shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system, Figure 1B shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system including an illumination unit for providing input light beams to multiple optical fibers of the CBC system, and Figure 1C shows a front view of the corrective optical element. [Diagram 2] Figures 2A-2B show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system in accordance with some embodiments, using a corrective optical element having a custom-designed segmented embossed, engraved, or etched input face facing the output face of a lenslet array of the CBC system, where Figure 2A shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system and Figure 2B shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system including an illumination unit for providing input light beams to multiple optical fibers of the CBC system. [Diagram 3] Figures 3A-3B show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system that uses a corrective optic that is integrated with the lenslet array of the CBC system by having an input face of the corrective optic that includes segmented embossing or etching and an output face of the corrective optic that has a bulge used as a collimating lenslet array, where Figure 3A shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system and Figure 3B shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system including an illumination unit for providing input light beams to multiple optical fibers of the CBC system. [Figure 4]4A-4B show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system using a corrective optical element having a custom-designed segmented embossing or etching on its output face, which is integrated with a lenslet array and an end cap element that is connected at its input face to the output end of an optical fiber to act as a monolithically integrated end capping, collimation (combining), and correction element, according to some embodiments. FIG. 4A shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system, and FIG. 4B shows a side view of at least a portion of the CBC system, including an illumination unit for providing input light beams to multiple optical fibers of the CBC system. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart that generally illustrates a method for CBC using customized corrective optics, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 shows a diagram of a CBC system using customized corrective optics according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a detection system for detecting aberrations in each channel of a multi-channel CBC system to determine the correction required for each channel of the CBC system, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 shows a diagram of 3×3 correction segments curved or embossed onto the surface of a corrective optic, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B show measured images of a single channel collimated by one lenslet of the CBC lenslet array, with FIG. 9A showing the aberration-free segment and FIG. 9B showing the angular pointing error aberration. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B show measured images of a single channel collimated by one lenslet of the CBC lenslet array, with FIG. 10A showing an aberration-free segment and FIG. 10B showing defocus aberrations caused by inaccuracies in the radius of curvature of a particular lens in a particular channel. [Figure 11]11A and 11B show measured images of a single channel collimated by one lenslet of the CBC lenslet array, with FIG. 11A showing an aberration-free segment and FIG. 11B showing aberrations caused by imprecision in the fiber-to-lens connection (e.g., off-axis splicing of the fiber and lens of the channel, which can introduce coma and other wavefront aberrations). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a corrective optical element (COE) customized for a particular coherent beam combining (CBC) system that uses at least M×N optical fibers, an M×N collimating lenslet array, and an end cap element that is connected (e.g., via fusion splicing) at its flat input face to the output ends of the M×N optical fibers to coherently combine corresponding M×N optical beams ("channels"), where M and N are integers equal to or greater than one (N≧1, M≧1). Correcting the aberrations specific to the CBC system in a customized manner can dramatically improve the far-field (FF) performance of the CBC system, e.g., in terms of FF energy distribution, spatial coherence of the combined beam, etc.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the COE is custom manufactured to segment correct the specific optical aberrations unique to the particular single CBC system in which the COE is used by having M×N correction segments, each correction segment C ij is the corresponding output beam B from each channel “ij” of the CBC system. ij where "i" is an integer representing the row number from 1 to M and "j" is an integer representing the column number from 1 to N.

[0010] In some embodiments, the COE may be, for example, a collimating lens L that is coupled to the output end of each optical fiber and a corresponding collimating lens of a lenslet array of a particular CBC system. ij The segments can be configured to correct optical aberrations that affect the coherent beam combining performance of a particular CBC system, caused by inaccuracies in the relative position between the centers of the (e.g., microlenses).

[0011] Correction of all aberrations in all segments can be performed optically simultaneously for all M×N channels.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the COE outputs each output light beam B ij About

[0013] indication error,

[0014] Focus / collimation errors,

[0015] Wavefront aberration,

[0016] lateral beam misalignment error,

[0017] The entire combined output beam and / or each input beam B ij The spatial distribution error of

[0018] Coma aberration, The segments can be configured to correct any one or more of the optical aberrations.

[0019] An aspect of the disclosed embodiment is a method for fabricating a customized corrective optical element (COE) for a particular coherent beam combining (CBC) system that may employ M×N optical fibers, an end cap element coupled at an input to the M×N optical fibers, and an M×N collimating lenslet array for coherently combining the M×N light beams output by the end cap element and exiting from an output end of the M×N optical fibers, the method comprising at least:

[0020] Each optical fiber F ij Each output beam B ij or one or more optical aberrations A of channel ij ij (where A ij may represent one or more optical aberrations for a particular channel ij),

[0021] Each segment of COE CS ij determining the correction designs required to correct all or at least some of the measured optical aberrations of each channel j for a particular CBC system and a particular location and positioning of the COE to be manufactured (resulting in complete COE design data);

[0022] fabricating a COE having M×N segments for a particular CBC system by configuring each segment of the COE according to a respective required correction design (e.g., according to COE design data);

[0023] Each segment of COE ij is the output light beam B ij placing the COE at the determined location for optimal aberration correction such that the COE is optimally positioned with respect to

[0024] using the COE to simultaneously correct optical aberrations of a particular CBC system; The present invention relates to a method which may include

[0025] According to some embodiments, measuring the optical aberrations of each segment can be done by measuring the overall spatial distribution of the FF combined beam before being corrected by the designed COE, and / or by measuring each output beam individually or each channel of the combined output beam of the CBC system in a segment.

[0026] Measuring the optical aberrations can also be done using the necessary components of all CBCs.

[0027] An aspect of the disclosed embodiment is a system for coherent beam combining (CBC), comprising:

[0028] at least one light source for emitting light of a narrow wavelength band (WB);

[0029] M×N optical fibers configured to guide light emitted from at least one light source;

[0030] an M×N collimating lenslet array for coherently combining M×N optical beams from the M×N optical fibers;

[0031] Corrective Optical Elements (COEs) customized to correct the optical aberrations of a specific single CBC system in segments; The COE comprises M×N correction segments, each correction segment CS ij is the optical fiber F corresponding to each ij channel. ij The corresponding output beam B from ij The position and configuration are customized to correct one or more specific pre-measured optical aberrations of It is related to the system.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the CBC system may also include optical means for splitting and / or directing light emerging from at least one light source to an input end ("input port") of an optical fiber.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the CBC system may further be configured to improve the far-field (FF) performance by, for example, adjusting the FF spatial coherence based on certain requirements (optimal / maximum FF spatial coherence, i.e., maximum power in the bucket (PIB), divergence angle at 90% energy [θ div ], peak intensity (PI), etc.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the CBC system may be similar or identical to one of the CBC systems using a phase / polarization locked feedback loop based on signals from M×N photodetectors, described in patent application no. IL275783, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] It should be noted that, in this specification, the terms "light beam" and "beam" may be used interchangeably.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the optical fiber may include one or more of a high power fiber laser, a fiber amplifier configured to guide a narrow band of light in an optical range, such as the infrared (IR), near infrared (NIR), ultraviolet (UV), near ultraviolet (NUV), and / or visible (VIS) range.

[0037] The operating center wavelength realizing a given fiber laser CBC can be in the range of 0.4-2.5 μm (micrometers), but in any case the wavelength is fixed with a typically narrow linewidth on the order of a few GHz (gigahertz).

[0038] An aspect of the disclosed embodiment relates to a corrective optical element (COE) for a multi-channel coherent beam combining (CBC) system that uses a fiber array including a plurality of optical fibers and a single collimation array including a plurality of collimating lenses for coherently combining a corresponding array of light beams directed through the fiber array.

[0039] Each pair of a collimating lens in the collimation array and a corresponding optical fiber in the fiber array may define a channel ij.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the COE can be custom-fabricated to segmentally correct the optical aberrations of a particular single CBC system by having an array of correction segments, each correction segment CS ij is the collimation lens L ijand the corresponding optical fiber F ij The corresponding output light beam B from each corresponding pair of ij The position and configuration are customized to correct one or more specific pre-measured optical aberrations of the optics.

[0041] The COE must be at least the L of each corresponding optical fiber. ij Output end and corresponding collimating lens L ij The COE can be configured to be customized to correct collimation-based optical aberrations caused by misalignment between the centers of the COEs in segments, and the correction of optical aberrations of all channels of the system is performed optically simultaneously by the COE, which may be placed before or after the collimation array such that coherent beam combining is performed by first achieving an array of collimated and corrected light beams in the near field with respect to the position of the COE and the collimation array.

[0042] Reference is now made to Figures 1A-1C, which show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system 100 that uses separate corrective optical elements (COEs) 150 to correct optical aberrations in 6x6 channels, according to some embodiments. The CBC system 100 includes:

[0043] For example, 1F in column 1 11 , 1F 21 , 1F 31 , 1F 41 , 1F 51 , and 1F 61 1F of 11 ~1F 66 an array of optical fibers 110 including 6×6 optical fibers;

[0044] an end cap element 120 connected at an input face 121 to the 6×6 optical fiber 110;

[0045] The first row of lenses 1L are connected together and have a flat input surface 131 facing the output surface 122 of the end cap element 120 and an opposite output surface 132 having a 6×6 bulge for collimating the beam emerging from the output surface 122 of the end cap element 120. 11 ~1L 61 A lenslet array element 130 including:

[0046] The first row of integrally connected correction segments 1CS has an input face 151 facing the bulged output face 132 of the lenslet array 130, and a flat output face 152 where all the beams exiting the optical fiber 110 are ultimately combined and corrected to exit as the coherently combined output beam 105. 11 ~1CS 61 Including each CS ij a segmented COE 150 having, for example, one or more prismatic (e.g., pyramidal) wedges embossed, curved, coated, or etched thereon; Includes.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical fibers 110 can be connected to one or more narrowband light sources via an illumination unit 101 including, for example, multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a single light emitting diode (LED) split into M×N portions using one or more light splitting means to illuminate each optical fiber of the optical fibers 110.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1C, COE150 is a 6×6 segment 1CS 11 ~1CS 66 Each correction segment Cs ij is the beam B of the corresponding channel ij ij With different single customized wedge embossing / etching / coating / molding to correct the optical aberrations.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the COE 150 at least couples the output end of each optical fiber to a corresponding collimating lens L of a lenslet array of a particular CBC system. ij 1 and 130, and / or inaccuracies in the alignment of surfaces within each element and / or with respect to each other, and / or inaccuracies in the relative positions (e.g., inaccuracies in the parallelism levels of the input and output faces of the end cap element 120, misalignment between the end cap element 120 and the lenslet array 130, placement of one or more of the optical fibers 110 at their connection points to the input face 121 of the end cap element 120, inaccuracies in the spacing between the lenses of the lenslet array 130, etc.).

[0050] All channels 11-66 are optically collimated and corrected simultaneously.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the end cap element 120, the lenslet array 130, and the COE 150 can be aligned with respect to the optical axis x such that the segmentation layout is disposed on a plane parallel to the yz plane perpendicular to the x-axis.

[0052] Reference is now made to Figures 2A and 2B, which show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system 200 using a COE 250 according to another embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2A , the end cap element is integrally coupled with the lenslet array to form a monolithically coupled lenslet array 220 that is connected (e.g., bonded) to a flat input face 221 of the lenslet array 220, and the beam exiting the optical fiber 110 is collimated by a lens-shaped bulge on the opposite, parallel output face 222 of the lenslet array 220.

[0054] The input face 251 of the COE 250 faces the bulged output face 222 of the lenslet array 220, and all beams exiting the optical fiber 110 exit as the final combined and corrected output beam 205 (see FIG. 2B) from the flat output face 252 of the COE 250.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2B, the optical fibers of optical fiber set 210 can be connected to one or more narrowband light sources via illumination unit 201, which may include, for example, multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a single LED split into M×N portions using one or more light splitting means, to illuminate each optical fiber of optical fiber set 210.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1C, COE150 is a 6×6 segment 1CS 11 ~1CS 66 Each correction segment Cs ij is the beam B of the corresponding channel ij ij With different single customized wedge embossing / etching / coating to correct optical aberrations.

[0057] According to some embodiments, the embossing / etching of the wedge can be designed to diffract the incident beam to correct aberrations in the incident beam.

[0058] 1A-1C and 2A-2B, the segment correction embossing / etching of the COE 150 / 250 is located on the input face 151 / 251 of the COE 150 / 250 that faces the output face 132 / 222 of the lenslet array 130 / 220. However, in other embodiments, the segment correction embossing / etching of the COE may be located on the opposite output face of the COE, as long as the input face of the COE that faces the output face of the lenslet array is flat.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the combined lenslet array 220 and COE 250 can be aligned with respect to the optical axis x such that the segmentation layout is disposed on a plane parallel to the yz plane perpendicular to the x-axis.

[0060] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which illustrate a coherent beam combining (CBC) system 300 that uses a COE 350 integrated with the lenslet array of the CBC system 300, according to some embodiments.

[0061] In this case, a 6×6 optical fiber array 310, for example, with a first row of the array including optical fibers 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, and 316, is connected to the input face 321 of the end cap element 320, and the associated COE 350 has an input face 351 facing the output face 322 of the end cap element 320, the input face 351 of the COE having segment correction embossing / etching thereon to correct the optical aberrations of the beam emerging from the output face 322 of the end cap element 320. The output face 352 of the COE 350 is bulged to form a lenslet array for collimating the light beam in segments. Thus, the COE 350 in this case combines optical aberration correction of the input beam with collimation by the lens array to produce an optimally corrected collimated combined output beam 305.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 3B, the optical fibers 310 can be connected to one or more narrowband light sources via an illumination unit 301 including, for example, multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a single LED split into M×N portions using one or more light splitting means to illuminate each optical fiber of the optical fibers 310.

[0063] Reference is now made to Figures 4A-B, which show a coherent beam combining (CBC) system 400 using a combined COE 450 used as an end cap element, collimating lenslet array, and optical aberration corrector, all directly connected in a single monolithic element to an array of optical fibers 410 at the input side / input face 451. The output face 452 of the COE 450, where the combined light beam 405 exits, has embossed / coated / engraved bulges to act as a lenslet array for combining the beams and for segment correction at each lens (bulge) to allow segment correction of the corresponding optical aberrations. An illumination unit 401 can be used to controllably deliver light to the optical fibers 410.

[0064] According to these embodiments, the input face 451 of the COE 450 is flat to allow easy splicing to the output end of the optical fiber 410 thereto, and each lens-shaped bulge of the bulged output face 452 has a customized corrective embossing / etching / coating to produce a high beam quality combined output light beam 405 at the FF.

[0065] According to some embodiments, any of the above example CBC systems, such as CBC systems 100, 200, 300, or 400, may also include:

[0066] focusing means for focusing the combined output light beam;

[0067] phase synchronizing means for simultaneously synchronizing (e.g., by matching) the phases of beams in all channels of the M×N optical fiber; may include any one or more of the following:

[0068] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a flow chart that generally illustrates a method for CBC using customized corrective optics, according to some embodiments. The method includes at least:

[0069] Each optical fiber F ijEach output beam B ij or one or more aberrations A of channel ij ij Step 51 of measuring

[0070] Each correction segment CS of the COE manufactured for a specific CBC system ij Regarding the specific CBC system and the specific location and positioning of the COE to be manufactured, ij determining 52 one or more correction designs required to correct all of the measured optical aberrations of

[0071] fabricating 53 a COE having M×N segments (corresponding to the M×N channels of the CBC system) for a particular CBC system by configuring each segment of the COE according to a respective required correction design;

[0072] Step 54 of placing the COE at the determined position for optimal aberration correction (e.g., by optically aligning the COE with respect to an optical plane through which the output beam of the optical fiber propagates);

[0073] Step 55 of using the COE to simultaneously correct optical aberrations of all M×N beams / channels of the CBC system; may include.

[0074] According to some embodiments, the aberration of each channel ij is measured by measuring the aberration of the respective optical fiber F of the channel in a measurement process that includes detection of the aberration for each channel. ij Each segment CS can be measured individually by activating illumination only through the CS fiber (deactivating (turning off) the light through all other fibers). ij The segment corrections for can be calculated after measuring the aberrations of each channel or after measuring all channels.

[0075] In other embodiments, all channels or a portion thereof are measured simultaneously for segment aberration detection.

[0076] Reference is now made to Figure 6, which illustrates a CBC system 600 for MxN channels using a customized COE. According to some embodiments, this CBC system 600 is further configured to synchronize / lock the phase and / or polarization.

[0077] This CBC System 600 is

[0078] A light source 601 such as an LED light source,

[0079] an M×N optical fiber array 610 including M×N optical fibers;

[0080] an optical splitting device 602 for splitting light from a light source 601 into M×N separate input light beams (herein “input beams”) and directing each input beam into a separate optical fiber of the optical fibers 610 for its CBC such that the multiple input beams exit the array of optical fibers 610 substantially parallel to each other and to a first optical axis x;

[0081] For example, light from the light source 601 is guided to the reference beam B via an end cap 604a and / or a movable holder 604b at the output end of the light source 601. ref and a reference optical fiber 603 for delivering a reference beam B exiting therefrom and optionally collimated by a collimator 605 to act as a reference beam B ref , but the reference beam B ref and an M×N input beam, the M×N input beams being guided along a propagation direction parallel to an optical axis y that is substantially angled (e.g., perpendicular) to an axis x (e.g., perpendicular to a propagation direction of the input beam), so as to cause interference between the M×N input beams and the M×N input beams;

[0082] a synchronization subsystem 615 for synchronizing the phase and / or polarization of all M×N input beams, for example using an M×N set of phase shifters and / or polarizers to synchronize all channels simultaneously;

[0083] a coupled lenslet array 650 (a lenslet array integrally coupled to a COE by having a corrective embossing / engraving on the output face of each lens of the array), optionally coupled to a COE by having a customized corrective etching or embossing on its output face; (Combining lenslet array 650 is positioned and configured to combine the input beams into combined output beam 609 and simultaneously correct for optical aberrations resulting from, e.g., inaccuracies in the spacing between the vertices of the lenses of the lenslet array, the spacing between the optical fibers 610, and / or inaccuracies in the angular relationships between the input beams output by the optical fibers 610, which, e.g., affect the accuracy of parallelism.)

[0084] a beam splitter 607 disposed in the path of the combined output beam 609 and configured to split the combined output beam 609 into two beams propagating in angular (e.g., perpendicular) directions; (A first portion of the combined output beam 609 is directed parallel to its original propagation direction along the x-axis, and a second portion is directed parallel to the reference beam B ref A sample light beam (also referred to herein as the "sample beam") B passes parallel to samp is directed at an angle to the original propagation direction to act as a signal and a reference beam B ref and sample beam B samp (i) optically interfere with each other to produce an interference optical signal, which can be addressed in segments by dividing it into M × N segments and detecting an optical property, such as the intensity, of each segment i,j.

[0085] To enable feedback loop based phase / polarization locking to further improve the FF beam quality and performance of the CBC system 600, each coherent optical signal OIS of each segment is ij an array 640 of M×N photodetectors arranged and configured to detect an optical property such as intensity, power, amplitude, etc. of the light;

[0086] a processing and control subsystem 670 operatively associated with the synchronization subsystem 615 and the M×N photodetectors 640 for receiving output data / signals from all the photodetectors 640, for simultaneously adjusting the phase / polarization of each of the channels i and j, and for synchronizing the phase / polarization of all the M×N channels in real time based on an analysis of the received detector output data; Includes.

[0087] According to some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6 , the CBC system 600 may further include further collimating and / or focusing means, such as a collimator 605 configured and arranged to collimate the reference beam output by the reference optical fiber 603, and / or a collimator or focusing lens 608 configured and arranged to collimate / focus the combined and output output beam 609.

[0088] According to some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the CBC system 600 further includes a sampling beam B samp The optical system may include an array of M×N focusing lenses 630 for focusing the light in segments onto each of the photodetectors 640 .

[0089] According to some embodiments, the CBC system 600 may further include one or more end cap elements, such as an end cap element 620 connectable to an output end of the optical fiber 610 .

[0090] According to some embodiments, the CBC system 600 can be used to measure the unique specific optical aberrations for each channel, for example using the same system configuration as shown in Figure 6, before the combined lenslet array 650 is embossed / etched to also act as a COE or before separate COEs are added, so as to be able to determine the optical aberrations of each channel and therefore determine the required segment correction design for each channel ij. Once the corrections required for each segment have been determined and the segment configuration designs have been generated / calculated, the correction segments can be etched / embossed onto the lenslet array or onto a separate part (e.g., a piece of silicon) to fabricate the separate COEs.

[0091] One or more optical aberrations OA of each channel ij ij To measure, the processing and control subsystem 670 may be further configured to analyze the output data received from the M×N photodetectors 640 to detect characteristics of the optical aberrations, such as the type, parameter values ​​of one or more associated characteristics, and position of each channel ij, and to generate a COE construction design, including an embossing / etching / coating design for each segment of the COE to be manufactured, based on the analysis results (including the determined characteristics of each optical aberration for each channel ij). The COE construction design may include, for example, data indicative of a geometric model, a set of manufacturing instructions for any one or more manufacturing machines (e.g., for automated manufacturing).

[0092] Additionally or alternatively, to measure the optical aberrations of each channel ij, characteristics of the FF image of the combined output beam 609 can be detected and analyzed, for example, using a segmented, pixelated, or any other type of optical FF detector 680 configured to measure one or more characteristics of the combined output beam 609.

[0093] For example, the output data of the FF detector 680 can be used in combination with the detector data coming from the array of photodetectors 640 to determine the sensitivity level of the FF to each optical aberration in the respective channel. Another reasonable approach may be to use a wavefront sensing device such as a curvature sensor or a Shack-Hartmann sensor or detection system to determine the type of optical aberration or to distinguish between different types of aberrations, their characteristics and optionally their causes, etc.

[0094] According to some embodiments, the fabrication of the COE itself for each CBC system may be performed using one or more of the following techniques: embossing, carving, sputtering, evaporation, engraving, printing, nanolithography, ion beam deposition, etc.

[0095] To fabricate the COE, any one or more devices, machines, and / or systems can be used, such as, for example, three-dimensional (3D) printers, machines / devices for sputtering, coating, and deposition / nano-etching, etc., to form the wedges of each segment of the COE (e.g., by nano-etching a thin layer of anti-reflective (AR) coating on the surface of a silicon element).

[0096] According to some embodiments, the method of designing the COE for a manufactured CBC system may be performed by using a standard CBC system (used to measure optical aberrations for manufacturing COEs for other CBC systems used as a "CBC system model") rather than measuring the specific aberrations of a particular CBC system to custom fit the COE, depending on how significantly the aberrations differ between CBC systems, mainly the misalignment / position between each optical fiber of the CBC system and the lens to which it is connected / spliced, the misalignment of the lenslet array with respect to other optical elements of the CBC system, and the effects of manufacturing errors and imperfections of optical elements such as lenslet arrays, focusing elements, etc. In some cases, the difference in optical aberrations of a particular CBC system may require only customized COE design and manufacturing, allowing for high system performance such as high FF beam quality (e.g., less beam waste and high spatial coherence).

[0097] Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which shows a schematic diagram of a detection system for detecting aberrations of each channel ij of a CBC system in order to determine the corrections required for each channel of the CBC system according to some embodiments. This detection system may include parts of the CBC system that are subsequently used for CBC, such as an array of M x N optical fibers 110 connected to an end cap element 120, and a separate lenslet array 130 similar to the elements / parts described for Fig. 1A. Each channel ij can be measured individually by a wavefront analyzer (WFA) subsystem 70 associated with one or more computing devices, such as a computing device 75, for detecting all aberrations of each channel ij and for calculating (determining) a correction design for each ij segment.

[0098] For example, to detect the aberration of channel 11 or channel 41, a collimating lens 1L 11 or 1L 41 Fiber F output from 11 or F 41The WFA subsystem 70 detects the light from each collimating lens 1L of the lenslet array 130 (e.g., simultaneously or one at a time). 11 or 1L 41 The detection means of the CBC system may include, or receive data from, a photodetector (such as a pixelated charge-coupled device (CCD) or photodiode array) to allow segment detection of the optical properties of the wavefront output from the 1CS. Aberrations will likely have different characteristics for each segment / channel, thus necessitating different aberration correction designs as shown in FIG. 7, where channel 11 is a 1CS 11 The compensation design shown in Figure 1 is required, and channel 41 is 1CS. 41 10 shows how the different compensation designs shown in FIG.

[0099] By detecting the wavefront characteristics for each channel (e.g., by transmitting light through only the channel being measured at a time), a three-dimensional (3D) mirror image (equal wavefront distribution with opposite directions), which may contain a 3D correction model of the wavefront, can be used to calculate or design correction for the relevant segment of the channel.

[0100] According to some embodiments, the positioning of the light detection means (e.g., a CCD camera or an M×N array of photodiodes) may require that they be positioned at the same alignment and distance with respect to the position of the manufactured COE in order to be able to mirror the wavefront in the correct ratio (relative to the size of each segment), or the design of the COE segments may also correspond to the desired alignment and positioned distance of the COE relative to the lenslet array 130.

[0101] Once the corrective designs for all segments of each COE to be fabricated for a particular CBC system have been determined (e.g., by storing their 3D models in a computer storage unit), the COE segments can be fabricated (e.g., using an ion beam deposition process).

[0102] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of 3×3 correction segments curved or embossed onto the surface of a corrective optic, according to some embodiments.

[0103] Reference is now made to Figures 9A-11B, which show images of wavefront imaging without different aberrations and wavefront imaging where different types of aberrations are detected.

[0104] 9A and 9B show measured images of a single channel collimated by one lenslet of the CBC lenslet array, with FIG. 9A showing the aberration-free segment and FIG. 9B showing the angular pointing error aberration.

[0105] 10A and 10B show measured images of a single channel collimated by one lenslet of the CBC lenslet array, with FIG. 10A showing an aberration-free segment and FIG. 10B showing defocus aberrations caused by inaccuracies in the radius of curvature of a particular lens in a particular channel.

[0106] 11A and 11B show measured images of a single channel collimated by one lenslet of the CBC lenslet array, with FIG. 11A showing an aberration-free segment and FIG. 11B showing aberrations caused by imprecision in the fiber-to-lens connection (e.g., off-axis splicing of the fiber and lens of the channel, which can introduce coma and other wavefront aberrations).

[0107] example

[0108] Example 1 is a corrective optical element (COE) for a multi-channel coherent beam combining (CBC) system using at least M×N optical fibers and an M×N collimating lenslet array for coherently combining M×N optical beams transmitted through the M×N optical fibers, the COE having M×N correction segments custom fabricated to segmentally correct optical aberrations of a particular single CBC system, each correction segment CS ij For example, to correct the optical aberrations of all M × N segments of a CBC system, the corresponding output beam B from each channel “ij” of the M × N channels of the CBC system is calculated as ij The COE is customized in position and configuration to correct one or more specific pre-measured optical aberrations of the optical fibers, and the COE is configured to couple at least the output end of each optical fiber to a corresponding collimating lens L of the lenslet array of the specific CBC system. ij and a COE configured to correct, in a segment, optical aberrations caused by inaccuracies in the relative positions between the centers of the M×N segments, wherein the correction of optical aberrations of all the M×N segments is performed optically simultaneously by the COE.

[0109] In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 is that the COE outputs each output light beam B ij The segment may be configured to correct one or more of the following optical aberrations: pointing error, focus / collimation error, wavefront aberration, higher-order three-dimensional aberration, spatial distribution error, coma aberration, field curvature aberration, cylindrical aberration, and smile error.

[0110] In Example 3, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 1-2 can include a segment of the COE being shaped on at least one side of the COE by using one or more of embossing, curving, sputtering, engraving, printing, evaporation, and ion beam deposition.

[0111] In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1 to 3 further comprises: a COE for receiving a corresponding light beam B of each channel ij;ij In order to correct each aberration of each segment CS ij may be fabricated from customized monolithic parts such that each has a different custom shape.

[0112] In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1 to 4 further comprises: ij The method may include providing one or more wedges configured to diffractively correct optical aberrations of the

[0113] In Example 6, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 1-5 can further include being designed for a CBC system in which the optical fiber is connected to an input face of the end cap element.

[0114] In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 may include a COE integrally connected or configured on an output face of a lenslet array, the output curved face comprising M×N lenticular curved bulges, each bulge having a custom designed correction embossing or etching such that each of the M×N light beams exiting the output face of the end cap element are collimated and corrected by the COE.

[0115] In Example 8, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 6 to 7 may include the COE being integrally or non-integrally connected to an input face of the lenslet array, a bulge of a lenslet of the lenslet array forming an output face of the COE, and the custom shaped correction segment being disposed on the input face of the COE facing the output face of the end cap element.

[0116] In Example 9, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 6-7 can include a COE incorporated into the lenslet array and end cap element of the CBC system by having an output surface of the end cap element integrally connected to an input surface of the lenslet array and an output surface of the lenslet array having a corrective 3D design embossed or debossed thereon to perform combined collimation and aberration correction on customized segments of each light beam, thereby forming a single monolithic coherent beam combining, end capping and correction element.

[0117] In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1 to 9 can include, in which the optical fiber of the CBC system is configured to guide light having a bandwidth in the range of 0.4 to 2.5 μm.

[0118] In Example 11, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 1-10 can include the COE being incorporated as part of a particular CBC system.

[0119] In Example 12, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 1 to 11 may include, wherein the COE is configured to correct aberrations in a multi-channel CBC system using M×N high-power fiber lasers or fiber amplifiers.

[0120] Example 13 is a method for fabricating a corrective optical element (COE) for a multi-channel coherent beam combining (CBC) system having M×N channels using M×N optical fibers, an end cap element connected at an input side to the M×N optical fibers, and an M×N collimating lenslet array for coherently combining the M×N optical beams output by the end cap element, the method comprising:

[0121] Each optical fiber F ij Each lens L of the lenslet array connected to ij Each output light beam B of each corresponding channel ij is output from ijBased on the measurement of the wavefront characteristics of one or more optical aberrations A of each channel ij of the M × N channels of the CBC system, ij and measuring

[0122] Each segment CS of the COE to be manufactured ij Regarding the specific CBC system and the specific location and positioning of the COE to be manufactured, ij determining a correction design necessary to correct all of the measured optical aberrations of

[0123] fabricating a COE having M×N segments by configuring each segment of the COE according to a respective required correction design;

[0124] Each correction segment of COE CS ij is the output light beam B ij placing the COE at the determined location for optimal aberration correction such that the COE is optimally positioned with respect to

[0125] Using COE to simultaneously correct the optical aberrations of all M×N segments of a CBC system; Including,

[0126] The COE is a 3D optic that connects the output end of each optical fiber to the corresponding collimating lenslet L of the lenslet array of a particular CBC system. ij The segments are configured to correct optical aberrations that affect coherent beam combining performance caused by inaccuracies in the relative positions between the centers of the segments. This is the method.

[0127] In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 further comprises: a COE for each output light beam B ij The segment may be configured to correct one or more of the following optical aberrations: pointing error, focus / collimation error, wavefront aberration, higher-order three-dimensional aberration, spatial distribution error, coma aberration, field curvature aberration, cylindrical aberration, and smile error.

[0128] In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-14 further comprises measuring an output beam B B 1 to determine the respective one or more aberrations. ij Each of the optical fibers F ij through the end cap elements to each lenslet L of the lenslet array. ij whereby a measurement of the optical aberrations of each channel ij is made relative to the aberrations detected from a segment of the collimated output beam exiting the lenslet array of the CBC system.

[0129] In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-14 further comprises measuring an output beam B B 1 to determine the respective one or more aberrations. ij Each of the optical fibers F ij through the end cap element towards a corrective input face of the COE, the lenslet region being formed as an output face of the COE.

[0130] In Example 17, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 13 to 16 can further include using one or more optical splitting elements to direct light emitted from a single light source into M×N optical fibers.

[0131] In Example 18, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 13 to 17 may include, for all M×N channels of the CBC system, one or more aberrations of each channel ij are measured simultaneously or individually for each channel using one or more photodetectors and a processing and control unit configured to receive and analyze output data output by the one or more photodetectors to determine a correction required for each channel ij of the CBC system.

[0132] In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 may include the one or more photodetectors may include one or more of a camera, a charge-coupled device (CCD), M×N photodiodes or photodetectors, M×N photodetectors each coupled to a different focusing lens or lenslet for individually measuring the optical properties including one or more optical aberrations of each channel i,j.

[0133] In Example 20, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 13 to 19 may include that positioning the COE is performed by optically aligning the COE with respect to an optical plane through which the output beam of the optical fiber propagates.

[0134] In Example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 18 to 20 further comprises: ij The design uses one or more photodetectors to detect each beam B ij and measuring one or more wavefront characteristics of the correction segment CS of each channel ij based on the measured wavefront characteristics. ij The method may include determining the distance between the first and second electrodes by generating a three-dimensional model of the distance between the first and second electrodes.

[0135] In Example 21, the subject of Example 21 is that each correction segment CS ij The 3D design of the beam B of the corresponding channel ij is ij It may include being a 3D mirror image of the wavefront.

[0136] Example 23 is a system for coherent beam combining (CBC), comprising at least

[0137] at least one light source for emitting light in a narrow wavelength band;

[0138] M×N optical fibers configured to guide light emitted from at least one light source;

[0139] an M×N collimating lenslet array for coherently combining M×N optical beams from the M×N optical fibers;

[0140] Corrective Optical Elements (COEs) customized to correct the optical aberrations of a specific single CBC system in segments; The COE comprises M×N correction segments, each correction segment CS ij is the optical fiber F corresponding to each ij channel. ij The corresponding output beam B from ij the position and configuration being customized to correct one or more specific pre-measured optical aberrations of

[0141] The COE is a 3D optic that connects the output end of each optical fiber to the corresponding collimating lens L of the lenslet array of a particular CBC system. ij and configured to correct optical aberrations that affect coherent beam combining performance caused by inaccuracies in the relative positions between the centers of the segments;

[0142] The correction of all aberrations in all segments is performed optically simultaneously. It is a CBC system.

[0143] In Example 24, the subject matter of Example 23 further comprises: ij The method may further include comprising an end cap element connected at its input face to the output ends of the M×N optical fibers such that the light beams emerging from the end cap element exit from different segments of the output face of the end cap element.

[0144] In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 23-24, wherein the CBC system comprises at least:

[0145] one or more photodetectors positioned and configured to detect optical properties of the coherently combined output beam that has been combined by the lenslet array and corrected by the COE;

[0146] a processing and control subsystem (PCS) configured to receive data from the one or more photodetectors and analyze the received data to measure performance characteristics of the one or more CBC systems; The method may further include providing:

[0147] In Example 26, the subject matter of Example 25 may include the CBC system further comprising a synchronization module for synchronizing the phase and / or polarization of each channel ij using a phase synchronization module including a corresponding M×N phase shifter and / or an array of polarization synchronization modules including an array of M×N polarization controllers, such that all phases and / or polarizations of all M×N channels are synchronized.

[0148] In Example 27, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 23 to 26 further comprises: a COE for each output light beam B ij The segment may be configured to correct one or more of the following optical aberrations: pointing error, focus / collimation error, wavefront aberration, higher-order three-dimensional aberration, spatial distribution error, coma aberration, field curvature aberration, cylindrical aberration, and smile error.

[0149] In Example 28, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 23 to 27 may include that a segment of the COE is shaped on at least one side of the COE by using one or more of embossing, curving, sputtering, evaporation, engraving, printing, and ion beam deposition.

[0150] In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 23 to 27 further comprises: a COE for receiving a corresponding light beam B of each channel ij. ij In order to correct each aberration of each segment CS ij may be fabricated from customized monolithic parts such that each has a different custom shape.

[0151] In Example 30, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 23 to 29 further comprises: ij The method may include providing one or more wedges configured to diffractively correct optical aberrations of the

[0152] In Example 31, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 23 to 30 may include a COE integrally connected or configured on an output face of a lenslet array, the output curved face comprising M×N lens-shaped curved bulges, each bulge having a custom-designed correction appendage such that each of the M×N light beams exiting the output face of the end cap element is collimated and corrected by the COE.

[0153] In Example 32, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 23 to 31 may include a COE integrally or non-integrally connected to an input face of the lenslet array, a bulge of a lenslet of the lenslet array forming an output face of the COE, and a custom shaped correction segment disposed on the input face of the COE facing the output face of the end cap element.

[0154] In Example 33, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 23 to 32 may include a COE incorporated into the lenslet array and end cap element of the CBC system by having an output surface of the end cap element integrally connected to an input surface of the lenslet array and an output surface of the lenslet array having a corrective 3D design embossed or debossed thereon to perform combined collimation and aberration correction on customized segments of each light beam, thereby forming a single monolithic coherent beam combining, end capping and correction element.

[0155] In Example 34, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 23 to 33 can include, in which the optical fiber of the CBC system is configured to guide light having a bandwidth in the range of 0.4 to 2.5 μm.

[0156] In Example 35, the subject matter described in any one or more of Examples 23 to 34 may include the COE being configured to correct aberrations in a multi-channel CBC system using M×N high-power fiber lasers or fiber amplifiers.

[0157] While the above description discloses a limited number of example embodiments of the present invention, these embodiments should not be construed as imposing any limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as illustrations of some of the ways in which the invention may be implemented.

[0158] The methods and / or processes described herein may be implemented by any one or more software, and / or hardware, components, devices, mechanisms, electronic and / or digital computerized systems, units, processing modules, devices, machines, engines, etc.

[0159] Systems, modules, units, devices, etc., or portions thereof, can be programmed to perform particular functions in accordance with computer readable and executable instructions, rules, conditions, etc. from programmable hardware and / or software-based execution modules capable of implementing one or more of the methods or processes disclosed herein, and thus, in effect, can be considered to disclose a "special purpose computer" specific to each disclosed method / process embodiment.

[0160] Additionally or alternatively, the methods and / or processes disclosed herein can be implemented as a computer program that may be tangibly or intangibly embodied by a dedicated computer-readable signal medium. A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal having computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that is not a non-transitory computer or machine-readable storage device that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with the devices, systems, platforms, methods, operations, and / or processes described herein.

[0161] The terms "non-transitory computer-readable storage" and "non-transitory machine-readable storage" may also include distribution media, intermediate storage media, computer execution memory, and any other medium or device that may be stored for subsequent retrieval by a computer program that implements an embodiment of the method disclosed herein. A computer program product may be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site, or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by one or more communications networks.

[0162] The computer readable and executable instructions may also be loaded into a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device and cause the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to perform a series of operational steps to generate a computer-implemented process, whereby the instructions executing on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device perform the functions / operations specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0163] The modules, devices, mechanisms, units, and / or subsystems may each comprise instructions (e.g., commands) executable by one or more machines. The modules may be embodied by circuits or controllers programmed to cause the system to perform the methods, processes, and / or operations disclosed herein. For example, the modules may be implemented as hardware circuits comprising, for example, custom very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, and / or other discrete components. The modules may also be implemented with programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, and the like.

[0164] In the above disclosure, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "substantially," "about," "approximately," and the like, defining a condition or relationship characterizing one or more features of an embodiment of the invention, should be understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is defined within an acceptable tolerance for the operation of the embodiment for its intended use.

[0165] It is important to note that the methods / processes and / or systems / devices / subsystems / apparatus, etc. disclosed in the above specification are not intended to be strictly limited to the flowcharts and / or diagrams provided in the drawings. For example, the methods may include more or fewer processes or steps than are depicted in the drawings. Furthermore, the method embodiments are not necessarily limited to the chronological order as illustrated and described herein.

[0166] It should be noted that terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "establishing," "analyzing," "checking," "estimating," "deriving," "selecting," "inferring," "identifying," "detecting," and the like may refer to operations and / or processes of a computer, computing platform, computing system, or other electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic or optical signals) quantities in the computer's registers and / or memory into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer's registers and / or memory or other information storage medium capable of storing instructions for performing the operations and / or processes.

[0167] Terms used in the singular form also include plural coverage unless expressly stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires.

[0168] In the specification and claims of this application, the verbs "comprise," "include," and "have," and each of their conjugations, are used to indicate that the object(s) of the verb are not necessarily an exhaustive list of components, elements, or parts of the subject(s) of the verb.

[0169] Unless otherwise stated, the use of the phrase "and / or" between at least two members of a list of options for selection indicates that one or more of the listed options are appropriate, i.e., all possible combinations of one or more of the specified options are possible. Furthermore, the use of the phrase "and / or" is used interchangeably with the phrases "at least one of," "any one of," or "one or more of," followed by a list of various options.

[0170] It will be appreciated that certain features of the invention that are described for clarity in the context of separate embodiments or examples may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are described for brevity in the context of a single embodiment, example, and / or option may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or in any other described embodiment, example, or option of the invention, as appropriate. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments, examples, and / or optional implementations are not considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiments, examples, and / or optional implementations would not operate without those elements.

[0171] It should be noted that the terms "in some embodiments," "according to some embodiments," "according to some embodiments of the invention," "for example," "for example," "for example," and "optionally" can be used interchangeably herein.

[0172] The number of elements shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting in any way but is for illustrative purposes only.

[0173] It should be noted that the term "operable to" can encompass the meaning of the term "modified or configured to." In other words, a machine "operable to" perform a task can, in some embodiments, encompass the mere ability to perform that function (e.g., "modified"), and in some other embodiments, encompass a machine that is actually made (e.g., "configured") to perform that function.

[0174] The phrases "range" from a first indicator number to a second indicator number and "range" from the first indicator number to the second indicator number are used interchangeably in this specification and are meant to include the first indicator number and the second indicator number, and all decimal and integer numbers therebetween.

Claims

1. A correction optical element (COE) for a multi-channel specific coherent beam combining (CBC) system, the CBC system using a fiber array comprising a plurality of optical fibers for coherent combining of corresponding optical beam arrays passing through the fiber array, and a single collimation array comprising a plurality of collimation lenses each configured for collimation of the incident optical beams output from each optical fiber, each pair of a collimation lens of the collimation array and a corresponding optical fiber of the fiber array defining a channel (ij), the COE including at least an array of correction segments, each correction segment (CSij) within the array of correction segments of the COE having a position and configuration customized to correct one or more optical aberrations of a corresponding output optical beam (Bij) output from a corresponding collimation lens (Lij), the COE being configured to perform a customized and segmented correction of at least optical aberrations caused by misalignment between the output end of each corresponding optical fiber (Fij) and the center of the corresponding collimation lens (Lij), the COE being configured to improve the far-field performance of the CBC system, each correction segment (CSij) being designed by measuring the wavefront of each output optical beam (Bij) emitted from each optical fiber (Fij) of the fiber array output from each collimator (Cij) of the collimator array, and generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the correction segment (CSij) of each channel (ij), the 3D model of the correction segment (CSij) being a 3D mirror image of the measured wavefront of the output optical beam (Bij) of the channel (ij), the correction optical element (COE), characterized in that the correction segment (CSij) is configured as a diffractive element.

2. The COE according to claim 1, configured to correct, in segments, any one or more of the following optical aberrations for each output optical beam (Bij): pointing error, focus / collimation error, wavefront aberration, high-order three-dimensional aberration, spatial distribution error, coma aberration, field curvature aberration, cylindrical aberration, smile error, manufacturing error, error in the space between the collimating lenses of the collimation array. 。

3. The COE according to claim 1 or 2, which is fabricated from a customized monolithic component such that each correction segment (CSij) has a different custom shape to correct one or more aberrations of the corresponding output optical beam (Bij) of each of the channels (ij). 。

4. The COE according to claim 1, further designed for a CBC system in which each optical fiber is connected to the input surface of a corresponding part of the end-cap element.

5. The COE according to claim 1, wherein the COE is integrally connected or configured to the output surface of the collimation array.

6. The COE according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the COE is connected to the input surface of the collimation array, either integrally or non-integrally, the bulge of the lens of the collimation array forms the output surface of the COE, and the custom-shaped correction segments are disposed on the input surface of the COE facing the output surface of the end-cap element.

7. The COE according to claim 4 or 5, which is incorporated into the collimation array and the end-cap element of the CBC system by having an output surface of an end-cap element integrally connected to the input surface of the collimation array and a correction 3D design embossed or debossed thereon to perform a combination of collimation and aberration correction at the customized segments of each optical beam, forming a single monolithic coherent beam combining, end-capping, correction element. 。

8. A method for manufacturing a correction optical element (COE) for a specific multi-channel coherent beam combining (CBC) system having an array of channels, using a collimation array including a plurality of collimating lenses each configured for collimating an array of input optical beams output by an array of optical fibers and an end-cap element and coherently combining the array of input optical beams. (a) For each channel (ij) of the CBC system, measuring the wavefront of each output optical beam (Bij) emitted from each optical fiber (Fij) of the fiber array and output from each collimator (Cij) of the collimation array, and generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the correction segment for each channel (ij), where the correction segment (CSij) is a 3D mirror image of the measured wavefront of the output optical beam (Bij) of the corresponding channel (ij). (b) Manufacturing a COE having an array of correction segments by configuring each segment of the COE according to the generated 3D model. (c) Placing the COE at an optimal aberration correction position such that each correction segment (CSij) of the COE is placed at a desired position with respect to the corresponding output optical beam (Bij). (d) Using the COE to simultaneously correct the optical aberrations of at least some of the output optical beams of the CBC system. The COE is configured to perform a customized and segmented correction of the optical aberrations caused by misalignment between the output end of each optical fiber and the center of the corresponding collimation lenslet (Lij) within a specific collimation array of the CBC system. The COE is configured to improve the far-field performance of the CBC system. Each correction segment (CSij) is configured as a diffractive element. **Claim 9** The method of claim 8, wherein the COE is configured to correct, for each output optical beam (Bij), at least one or more optical aberrations among pointing error, focus / collimation error, wavefront aberration, high-order three-dimensional aberration, spatial distribution error, coma aberration, field curvature aberration, cylinder aberration, smile error, manufacturing error, and spatial error between collimation lenses within the collimation array, on a segment-by-segment basis. **Claim 10** The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each output optical beam (Bij) measured to determine its respective one or more aberrations is directed from each optical fiber (Fij) through an end-cap element towards the correction input surface of the COE, and the collimation array is formed as the output surface of the COE. **Claim 11** The method according to claim 10, including the step of guiding light emitted from a single light source to a fiber array using one or more optical splitting elements. **Claim 12** For the method according to claim 11, the wavefronts of the output optical beams (Bij) of each channel (ij) are measured using one or more optical detectors, and by using a processing and control unit to obtain and analyze the output data output from the one or more optical detectors, a three-dimensional model is determined.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the one or more optical detectors include a camera, a charge-coupled device (CCD), a photodiode or an array of photodetectors, or M×N photodetectors respectively connected to different condenser lenses or microlenses for individually measuring optical characteristics including one or more optical aberrations of each channel (ij).

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the COE is configured to be arranged parallel to the collimation array.

15. A system for coherent beam combining (CBC), comprising at least - at least one light source that irradiates narrow-band light, - an array of optical fibers configured to guide the light emitted from the at least one light source and form an array of input optical beams, - a collimation array that is an array of collimation lenses, and each collimation lens is configured to only collimate the incident optical beam, - a correction optical element (COE) customized for segment correction of optical aberrations in a specific CBC system and having an array of correction segments, Each correction segment (CSij) is designed by measuring the wavefronts of the respective output optical beams (Bij) emitted from the respective optical fibers (Fij) of the fiber array and output from the respective collimators (Cij) of the collimation array, and generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the correction segment (CSij) of each channel (ij). The 3D model of the correction segment (CSij) is a 3D mirror image of the measured wavefront of the beam (Bij) of the channel (ij), and the correction segment (CSij) is configured as a diffractive element. The COE is configured to perform customized segment-by-segment correction of optical aberrations caused by misalignment between at least the output end of each optical fiber and the center of the corresponding collimating lens Lij of the collimation array in a specific CBC system. The COE is a system configured to improve the remote performance of the CBC system.

16. One or more photodetectors arranged and configured to detect the optical characteristics of a coherent combined output beam combined by the collimation array and corrected by the COE; A processing and control subsystem (PCS) configured to obtain output data from the one or more photodetectors and analyze the obtained output data to measure one or more performance characteristics of the CBC system; The CBC system according to claim 15, further comprising the above.

17. The CBC system according to claim 16, further comprising a synchronization module for synchronizing the phases and / or polarizations of each channel (ij), configured such that the phases and / or polarizations of all channels are synchronized, the synchronization module comprising a phase synchronization module for phase synchronization and / or a polarization synchronization module for polarization synchronization.

18. The CBC system according to any one or more of claims 15 to 17, wherein the wavefront of each output optical beam (Bij) of each channel (ij) is measured using one or more photodetectors.

19. The COE according to any one or more of claims 15 to 17, wherein the wavefront of each output optical beam (Bij) of each channel (ij) is measured using one or more photodetectors, and the three-dimensional model is determined using a processing and control unit configured to obtain and analyze output data output from the one or more photodetectors.

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