SUSY Microlaser Arrays for Single-Mode High-Power Phase Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving single-mode high power laser operation in coupled laser arrays is challenging due to the support of multiple transverse supermodes, making it difficult to achieve high power and single mode lasing simultaneously, especially as the number of lasers increases, and current methods require delicate optical mode leakage for phase locking, limiting downsizing and dense packaging.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional laser array using supersymmetric (SUSY) partners that match the resonance frequency of the main laser array except for the lowest energy supermode, allowing for strategic coupling to suppress all but the fundamental transverse supermode, enabling efficient single-supermode lasing and high-radiance vortex beam emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple identical single-mode lasers are coupled together to form a laser array to achieve high power, then the emission power is enhanced, but multiple transverse supermodes are supported making single mode operation difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Dissipative superpartners act as intermediary systems that selectively couple to and dissipate unwanted transverse supermodes of the main laser array. These superpartners serve as mediators that remove harmful excitations (higher-order modes) while leaving the fundamental mode intact, thus enabling single-mode operation in high-power laser arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of multiple supermodes (which cause mode competition and reduce beam quality) into a benefit by using dissipative superpartners to selectively dissipate unwanted modes. The very coupling that creates multiple modes is also used to remove those modes, transforming the problem into a solution
2Stability of the object's composition
If current methods use delicately designed leakage of optical modes to communicate between laser elements for phase locking, then phase locking is achieved, but the ability to downsize and densely package is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional phase locking approaches to a higher-dimensional solution using dissipative superpartners that couple to multiple laser elements simultaneously. This multi-dimensional coupling approach enables phase locking while allowing denser packaging, as the superpartners can mediate interactions across the array without requiring large inter-element spacing
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 SUSY laser array achieves high-power, single-fundamental-mode lasing with a small divergence angle, enhancing energy density and beam steering capabilities, and can emit vortex beams with orbital angular momentum, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods by allowing denser integration and smaller form factors.
Implementation Method 1
higher-dimensional evanescently coupled phase-locked microlaser arrays
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for high-dimensional phase-locked microlaser arrays. In embodiments, systems and methods can comprise a main array of light sources resonating in a plurality of energy levels, including a fundamental mode, at least one superpartner array of resonators positioned adjacent to the main array, and at least one auxiliary resonator. The superpartner arrays and the auxiliary resonators at least partially dissipate a subset of the plurality of energy levels emitted by the main array, except for the fundamental mode. In embodiments, the light sources can be microring lasers and/or electrically injected lasers.