Multi-wavelength Beam Combining System with Spatial Feedback Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wavelength beam combining systems lack a compact footprint and variable/tunable brightness output, with existing methods failing to efficiently combine beams along the non-beam combining dimension while maintaining high brightness and power.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength beam combining system that uses a dispersive element to stabilize and combine emitters with a common partially reflecting output coupler, allowing for a reduced-size, high-brightness, and adjustable output configuration by optimizing the placement of optical elements and incorporating spatial combiners to overlap feedback along the non-beam combining dimension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional wavelength beam combining methods are used to combine beams along slow and fast dimensions, then beam combining is achieved, but the system footprint becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial combining along the non-beam combining dimension (perpendicular to the slow and fast axes) to add a third dimension for power scaling. This allows the system to combine beams in three dimensions (slow axis, fast axis, and non-beam combining dimension) without increasing the footprint in the traditional beam combining planes, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact footprint and beam combining capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges wavelength beam combining (WBC) with spatial beam combining in a hybrid architecture. By combining emitters along the non-beam combining dimension using spatial overlap and common feedback, the system achieves higher power output without proportionally increasing the system footprint, as multiple emitters share common optical paths and feedback mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional WBC systems are used, then beam combining is achieved, but variable/tunable brightness output is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of output brightness by allowing selective activation and combination of individual emitters or emitter groups along the non-beam combining dimension. The system can dynamically adjust the number and configuration of active emitters to provide variable brightness output, transforming a static WBC system into a dynamically adaptable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that can operate in multiple modes: traditional WBC mode for maximum brightness, partial emitter activation for reduced brightness, and selective spatial combining for intermediate power levels. This universal architecture allows the same system to serve multiple application requirements without requiring separate systems for different brightness levels.
3Power
If emitters are combined along the non-beam combining dimension, then spatial combining is achieved, but maintaining high brightness and power becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by ensuring that each emitter or emitter group maintains its own optimized beam characteristics and wavelength stability through individualized feedback paths, while simultaneously achieving high power through spatial combining. Each local region (emitter) maintains high brightness quality, while the global system achieves high power through aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common partially reflecting output coupler as an intermediary element that receives feedback from multiple emitters along the non-beam combining dimension. This intermediary facilitates the coordination and synchronization of multiple emitters, enabling them to combine their output while maintaining individual brightness characteristics and achieving high total power output.
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 compact, high-brightness, and variable output laser system with increased power and reduced system size, capable of adjusting beam quality for various applications, while maintaining stability and efficiency across different dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
Each emitter in the system individually resonates, and is stabilized through wavelength specific feedback from a common partially reflecting output coupler that is filtered by the dispersive element along a beam combining dimension
Implementation Method 2
stabilized through wavelength specific feedback from a common partially reflecting output coupler that is filtered by the dispersive element
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for decreasing the optical pathway length, varying brightness output quality, and stabilizing beams along the non-beam combining dimension in a WBC system.