Separate phase-locking and coherent combining of two laser diodes in a Michelson cavity

Schimmel, G.; Doyen, I.; Janicot, S.; Ramirez, L.P.; Hanna, M.; Georges, P.; Lucas-Leclin, G.; Vilokkinen, V.; Melanen, P.; Uusimaa, P.; Decker, J.; Crump, P.; Erbert, G.; Bull, S.; Kaunga-Nyirenda, S.; Larkins, E.C.

Abstract

We describe a new coherent beam combining architecture based on passive phase-locking of two laser diodes in a Michelson external cavity on their rear facet, and their coherent combination on the front facet. As a proof-of-principle, two ridge lasers have been coherently combined with >90 % efficiency. The phase-locking range, and the resistance of the external cavity to perturbations have been thoroughly investigated. The combined power has been stabilized over more than 15 min with an optical feedback as well as with an automatic adjustment of the driving currents. Furthermore, two high-brightness high-power tapered laser diodes have been coherently combined in a similar arrangement; the combining efficiency is 70% and results in an output power of 4 W. We believe that this new configuration combines the simplicity of passive self-organizing architectures with the optical efficiency of master-oscillator power-amplifier ones.

Citation

Schimmel, G., Doyen, I., Janicot, S., Ramirez, L., Hanna, M., Georges, P., …Larkins, E. (2015). Separate phase-locking and coherent combining of two laser diodes in a Michelson cavity. In High-Power Diode Laser Technology and Applications XIII. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2079314

• Conference Name: High-Power Diode Laser Technology and Applications XIII
• End Date: Feb 10, 2015
• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 23, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 27, 2016
• Electronic ISSN: 0277786X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9348
• Article Number: 93480P
• Book Title: High-Power Diode Laser Technology and Applications XIII
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2079314
• Keywords: coherent combining, passive phase-locking, diode lasers, external cavity
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/749189
• Publisher URL: http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=2240065
• Additional Information: Schimmel, G. [et al.],"Separate phase-locking and coherent combining of two laser diodes in a Michelson cavity", Proc. SPIE, High-Power Diode Laser Technology and Applications XIII, editor, Mark S. Zediker, v. 9348, article no. 93480P (2015). doi:10.1117/12.2079314. ; Copyright 2015. Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.
• Contract Date: Jul 27, 2016