Scaling the spectral beam combining channels in a multiplexed volume Bragg grating

Opt Express. 2013 Dec 2;21(24):29620-7. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.029620.

Abstract

In order to generate high power laser radiation it is often necessary to combine multiple lasers into a single beam. The recent advances in high power spectral beam combining using multiplexed volume Bragg gratings recorded in photo-thermo-refractive glass are presented. The focus is on using multiple gratings recorded within the same volume to lower the complexity of the combining system. Combining of 420 W with 96% efficiency using a monolithic, multiplexed double grating recorded in PTR glass is demonstrated. A multiplexed quadruple grating that maintains high efficiency and good beam quality is demonstrated to pave a way for further scaling of combining channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't