Laser Array Beam Combination via Spectral Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor laser devices face challenges in achieving high beam quality and power density due to limitations in wave guiding structures and chip packaging, and current beam combination methods, such as incoherent beam combination, do not effectively improve beam quality and require precise adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A laser array combining device comprising a laser gain medium array, a shaping optical system with a fast axis collimating lens, field flattening lens, negative lens, and cylindrical lens, and a dispersing optical unit, which forms a resonant cavity to improve beam quality and stability by shortening the optical path and reducing precision requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If incoherent beam combination is used to increase power, then power output is improved, but beam quality is not effectively improved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the laser system into multiple gain units with different central wavelengths, where each unit contributes to the overall power output while the wavelength differentiation enables spectral beam combination that improves beam quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the wavelength parameter of each gain unit to be different from others, enabling spectral beam combination through a diffraction grating that combines beams based on wavelength differences while maintaining high beam quality and power output
2Manufacturing precision
If coherent beam combination is used to improve beam quality, then beam quality is improved, but device complexity and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses wavelength as the differentiating parameter instead of phase control, which simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex phase stabilization and synchronization mechanisms while still achieving high beam quality through spectral combination
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical and electronic control systems required for coherent beam combination with a passive optical system using a diffraction grating that automatically combines beams based on wavelength differences
3Power
If wavelength beam combination is used to increase power and luminance, then power and luminance are improved, but spectrum restrictions limit the number of combinable beams
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the spectrum into multiple distinct wavelength bands, each assigned to a separate gain unit, allowing multiple beams to be combined without spectral overlap while maintaining high power output and enabling flexible system configuration
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 device enhances beam quality and stability, allowing for higher power output with reduced precision demands and a more compact design, making it suitable for industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
a fast axis collimating lens, which is arranged at an emergent side of the laser gain medium array
Implementation Method 2
a field flattening lens, which is arranged at an emergent side of the fast axis collimating lens, for correcting the field curvature of the shaping optical system
Implementation Method 3
a negative lens, which is arranged at an emergent side of the field flattening lens
Implementation Method 4
a cylindrical lens, which is arranged at an emergent side of the negative lens, for collimating the laser beams
Implementation Method 5
a dispersing optical unit, which is arranged at an emergent side of the shaping optical system, for diffracting incident laser beams
Implementation Method 6
which forms a resonant cavity to improve beam quality and stability
Data Source
AI summary
A laser array combining device, which comprises: a laser gain medium array, comprising at least two laser gain units, and each generates a laser beam; a shaping optical system, optical shaping to the laser beams generated by the laser gain medium array, the shaping optical system comprises: a fast axis collimating lens, arranged at an emergent side of the laser gain medium array; a field flattening lens, arranged at an emergent side of the fast axis collimating lens, correcting the field curvature of the shaping optical system; a negative lens, arranged at an emergent side of the field flattening lens; a cylindrical lens, arranged at an emergent side of the negative lens for collimating the laser beams; a dispersing optical unit, arranged at an emergent side of the shaping optical system for diffracting incident laser beams; a partial reflection optical unit, receiving laser beams emitted by the dispersing optical unit.