Coherent Beam Combination Phase Locking for High Peak Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coherent beam combination systems have low efficiency in achieving high peak intensity due to challenges in maintaining phase coherence and phase-locking of amplified beams, leading to suboptimal performance compared to theoretical limits.
Innovation Solution
A coherent beam combination system with a control method that includes a phase-locking unit and delay equalization module, utilizing a laser source, beam broadener, splitter, and focusing optics, along with phase modulators and optical delay lines, to optimize the phase control and alignment of secondary beams for constructive interference and high peak intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If N channels are individually amplified and recombined to obtain high power output, then the power of the output beam is improved, but maintaining phase coherence and phase-locking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a sensor to detect the actual phase differences between recombined beams and a controller that adjusts phase shifters in real-time to maintain phase-locking. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by automatically compensating for phase drift that occurs during individual channel amplification, ensuring reliable phase coherence while maintaining high power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic phase adjustment mechanisms that continuously adapt the phase of each beam channel based on real-time conditions. By making the phase control dynamic rather than static, the system can maintain phase coherence despite variations in amplification conditions across different channels, thus resolving the contradiction between high power output and phase coherence maintenance.
2Illumination intensity
If accurate phase control is implemented to maintain beam coherence, then the peak intensity is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phase shifters as intermediary components that simplify the phase control process. These phase shifters act as mediators between the complex amplification channels and the final recombination point, providing a straightforward mechanism to adjust and synchronize phases. This intermediary approach achieves high peak intensity while managing system complexity through standardized, easily controllable phase adjustment elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls peak intensity by adjusting phase parameters of individual beams rather than modifying the entire system architecture. By changing the phase parameter of each beam independently through simple phase shifters, the system achieves accurate phase control and high peak intensity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Power
If multiple channels are used to achieve high power output, then the power is improved, but the efficiency compared to theoretical case decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary phase equalization to all beam channels before recombination, ensuring that phases are pre-synchronized to optimal values. This preliminary action maximizes constructive interference efficiency from the start, allowing the system to achieve high power output with efficiency close to theoretical limits by preventing phase mismatches before they degrade performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a high peak intensity output close to theoretical values, with efficiency improvements and reduced power noise, enabling precise beam steering and targeting capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
each channel comprising an optical amplifier, a phase modulator, an optical delay line
Implementation Method 2
a main body comprises a plurality of channels, one for each secondary beam, each channel comprising an optical amplifier
Implementation Method 3
If the amplified beams are coherent one with the other, the amplified beams interfere with each other. In particular, it is desired that the amplified beams interfere constructively with each other.
Implementation Method 4
a focusing optics configured to receive the intermediate beams, to provide the output recombined beam
Data Source
AI summary
The coherent beam recombination system provides an output recombined beam and comprises: a laser source providing a source beam with linewidth; a beam broadener providing a broadened beam from the source beam; a splitter splitting the broadened beam into a plurality of secondary beams; a plurality of channels coupled to the splitter. Each channel receives a respective secondary beam and provides a respective intermediate beam. Each channel has an optical amplifier, a phase modulator, an optical delay line, and an opto-mechanical element. The CBC system further comprises an optical sensor that provides a detection signal indicative of an intensity of a received optical beam; a focusing optics that receives the intermediate beams, provides the output recombined beam from a first portion of each intermediate beam, and provides a sampled recombined beam to the optical sensor from a second portion of each intermediate beam. The CBC system further comprises a control unit coupled to the optical sensor and the plurality of channels. The control unit comprises a phase-locking module configured to: provide a plurality of phase control signals to the phase modulators; receive the detection signal from the optical sensor, indicative of an intensity of the sampled recombined beam; calculate a cost function from the detection signal, wherein the cost function is a function of the intensity of the sampled recombined beam; perform an optimization algorithm of the cost function, configured to maximise the intensity of the sample recombined beam; and provide a plurality of updated phase control signals, based on a result of the optimization algorithm.