Coherent combining of tunable erbium-doped fiber lasers by a single-mode fiber feedback loop

We experimentally demonstrate the coherent combining of two tunable erbium-doped fiber lasers by using a single-mode fiber feedback loop configuration. A single-mode fiber is arranged in the feedback loop to filter the far-field pattern, and the energy of desired in-phase mode is collected and injected into the resonators of two component fiber lasers. The coherently combined laser is tunable over a wide spectrum ranging from 1536 to 1569 nm, which means that the combining scheme is compatible with wavelength tuning. The effects and necessity of whether adopting polarization controlling measures or not in component lasers are investigated in detail. The results indicate that adding polarization controlling can improve the array＇s coherence, whereas it will decrease the output power and efficiency simultaneously.     

不同波形脉冲激光的时域误差对相干合成的影响

相干合成技术是实现高功率、高亮度光纤激光系统的重要技术途径.然而, 脉冲激光阵列中常常存在时域误差,这将影响脉冲激光的相干合成效果. 建立了脉冲激光存在时域误差时的相干合成理论模型,并在不同波形(方波、三角波、正弦波) 的脉冲激光存在时域误差时,对相干合成光束在远场的脉冲波形、峰值功率、 光强分布和桶中功率(PIB)等特性进行了数值计算和对比分析.计算结果表明: 方波脉冲激光相干合成光束的脉冲波形受时域误差影响严重,光强分布和PIB随着时域误差 的增大发生线性变化;三角波脉冲激光相干合成光束的脉冲波形和峰值功率受时域误差 影响严重,光强分布和PIB在时域误差较大时随着时域误差的增大发生较为剧烈的变化; 正弦波脉冲激光相干合成光束具有较好的输出特性,在两路正弦波脉冲激光相干合成中, 将两脉冲之间的时延控制在脉冲持续时间的10%以内,就能取得良好的合成效果.     

Numerical and experimental study on coherent beam combining of fibre amplifiers using simulated annealing algorithm

We present the numerical and experimental study on the coherent beam combining of fibre amplifiers by means of simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. The feasibility is validated by the Monte Carlo simulation of correcting static phase distortion using SA algorithm. The performance of SA algorithm under time-varying phase noise is numerically studied by dynamic simulation. It is revealed that the influence of phase noise on the performance of SA algorithm gets stronger with an increase in amplitude or frequency of phase noise; and the laser array that contains more lasers will be more affected from phase noise. The performance of SA algorithm for coherent beam combining is also compared with a widely used stochastic optimization algorithm, i.e., the stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm. In a proof-of-concept experiment we demonstrate the coherent beam combining of two 1083~nm fibre amplifiers with a total output power of 12~W and 93% combining efficiency. The contrast of the far-field coherently combined beam profiles is calculated to be as high as 95%.     

Broadband phase-coherent optical frequency synthesis with actively linked Ti:sapphire and Cr:forsterite femtosecond lasers

We link the output spectra of a Ti:sapphire and a Cr:forsterite femtosecond laser phase coherently to form a continuous frequency comb with a wavelength coverage of 0.57-1.45 microm at power levels of 1 nW to 40 microW per frequency mode. To achieve this, the laser repetition rates and the carrier-envelope offset frequencies are phase locked to each other. The coherence time between the individual components of the two combs is 40 micros. The timing jitter between the lasers is 20 fs. The combined frequency comb is self-referenced for access to its overall offset frequency. We report the first demonstration to our knowledge of an extremely broadband and continuous, high-powered and phase-coherent frequency comb from two femtosecond lasers with different gain media.     

基于随机并行梯度下降算法的多波长激光相干合成

由于受到受激布里渊散射(SBS)等非线性效应的限制,单频激光放大器的功率在百瓦量级,以非单频激光多波长激光作为种子源能够有效地抑制SBS并提高放大器功率.与单频激光相干合成相比,非单频率、多波长激光的相干合成有望将输出激光功率成量级地提高.基于随机并行梯度下降(stochastic parallel gradient descent,SPGD)算法,实现了四波长激光的相干合成.在系统闭环时,四路多波长激光合成后的主瓣能量能够提高3倍,达到理想值的75%.验证了多波长、非单频激光相干合成的可行性,为高功率相干合成的发展提供了新的途径.     

Synchronization and coherent combining of two pulsed fiber lasers

We demonstrate a scalable architecture for coherent combining of pulsed fiber lasers.A new method for generating synchronous pulsed fiber lasers by direct phase modulation is proposed and investigated.It is shown that phase modulated mutually coupled laser array can be a steady synchronous pulsed fiber laser source.The synchronous pulsed fiber lasers are coherently combined with an invariable phase difference of π in adjacent lasers.Neither active phase control nor polarization control is taken in our experiment.     

大功率调制气流声源阵列的相干合成实验研究

完成了调制气流声源阵列的相干合成实验. 提出了利用主动相位控制方法实现调制气流声源阵列相干合成的思路, 介绍了基于随机并行梯度下降算法的声源阵列相干合成的原理. 对利用该算法实现声源阵列的相干合成进行了数值模拟, 完成了双调制气流声源阵列在远场的相干合成实验, 并给出算法参数的合理设置方案. 实验结果显示, 基频成分的相干合成效果明显, 算法收敛时测点处的声压级相比单源发射增加了4 dB, 接近于各单源功率谱中基频成分相干合成、其他频率成分非相干合成的结果; 结果表明实验中算法能够有效控制各调制气流声源辐射声波的相位, 取得了明显的相干合成效果. 关键词： 调制气流声源 相干合成 随机并行梯度下降 高阶谐波     

Simultaneous spectrum and coherent combining by active phasing dual two-tone all-fiber MOPA chains

We present a new approach for simultaneous spectral and coherent combining in a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) configuration with active phasing. Spectrally combined single-frequency seed lasers are employed as a master oscillator for the all-fiber power amplifier chain, which provides robust performance suppressing of the stimulated Brillouin scattering effect, while coherent combining of spectrally combined amplifiers with active phase control provides stable in-phase combining, despite the strong phase fluctuation. In experiments, two spectrally combined seed MOPA chains are coherently combined with a total output power of 390 W. The power of the main lobe in the closed loop is two times of that value in the open loop, and visibility of more than 75% of the long-exposure interference pattern at the receiving plane is obtained.     

两路光纤激光器自组织相干合成实验研究

 建立了两路光纤激光器自组织相干合成的理论模型,并进行实验验证。结果表明,通过能量的相互注入,可以实现光纤激光器的自组织相干合成,合成效率达到92%。当外界基本没有干扰时,远场光斑为稳定、高对比度的干涉条纹,激光器阵列输出模式为异相模,与理论分析的结果一致;当外界环境存在轻微干扰时,实验出现条纹移动现象,输出模式也不再是恒定的异相模。对外界干扰对自组织相干合成的影响进行了数值分析,结果表明：外界干扰的幅度与频率越大,两束激光的相位差的变化幅度与频率也就越大;当外界干扰超过一定程度,两束激光之间的相位差将不能被锁定,始终处于变化状态。     

Feasibility study of optically pumped molecular lasers with small quantum defect

An analytical analysis of continuous wave (CW) optically pumped molecular lasers with small quantum defect is presented. The results show the conditions under which lasing with small Stokes shifts are possible. The general results are applied to HCN as an example gas. The predictions from the analytical approach are in good quantitative agreement with numerical calculations. The effective vibrational lifetimes and rotational relaxation rates of the molecule determine the principal behavior of such lasers. High overall laser efficiencies are possible for long interaction length of pump laser and gas media, which for example can be achieved in waveguide structures. This makes such lasers potentially interesting for coherently combining the output of mutually incoherent fiber and or diode lasers.     

基于迈克尔逊型耦合腔光纤激光器相干合成的理论与实验研究

为使光纤激光器在自由空间中进行有效的相干合成,提出了耦合臂上带有会聚透镜的迈克尔逊型耦合腔,并将外腔配置为f－f结构以增强内部反馈.利用高斯光束的ABCD定律分析了外腔的传输特性,详细研究了外腔偏离f－f结构对相互注入耦合效率的影响,指出输出光纤端面与透镜前焦平面的偏差是影响反馈耦合效率的关键因素.基于此特别设计的迈克尔逊型耦合腔,实验上实现了两路光纤激光的有效相干合成.当透镜被移走时,阵列输出功率下降为原始值的78.5％,且相干态变得不稳定.     

Many-wavelength interferometry with thousands of lasers for absolute distance measurement

We demonstrate a new technique for absolute distance measurement with a femtosecond frequency comb laser, based on unraveling the output of an interferometer to distinct comb modes with 1?GHz spacing. From the fringe patterns that are captured with a camera, a distance is derived by combining spectral and homodyne interferometry, exploiting about 9000 continuous wave lasers. This results in a measurement accuracy far within an optical fringe (λ/30), combined with a large range of nonambiguity (15?cm). Our technique merges multiwavelength interferometry and spectral interferometry, within a single scheme.     

Efficient improvement of laser beam quality by coherent combining in an improved Michelson cavity

The efficient improvement of laser beam quality is demonstrated by coherent combining of two Nd:YVO4 lasers in an improved Michelson cavity. When the two lasers are separately operated with beam qualities of M(x)2 = 1.74 and M(y)2 = 1.34 for laser 1 and M(x)2 = 1.53 and M(y)2 = 1.39 for laser 2, by coherent combining of the two lasers, a single beam output exceeding 2 W with a nearly perfect TEM00 mode (M(x)2 = 1.08, M(y)2 = 1.04) is obtained. Moreover, it can withstand environmental perturbations with no change in beam quality or output power and has the potential for scaling to much higher output power with high beam quality by coherent addition of multiple lasers in this configuration.     

基于公共环形腔耦合的光纤激光器相干合成技术

 为提高光纤激光器无源自调整相干合成阵列的效率、稳定性和可扩展性,提出了基于公共光纤环形腔耦合与单模光纤滤波的光纤激光器相干合成方案。将多个2×2的光纤耦合器分别插入各单元激光器的谐振腔,利用耦合器余下的端口,两两相连构成公共环形耦合腔。采用单模光纤滤波技术,提高了各输出激光束之间相位锁定的稳定性。利用该方案在实验上实现了三路光纤激光器的被动锁相输出,实验测得的远场干涉光斑、输出功率及光谱均表明该方案适于构建性能较好的光纤激光器相干合成阵列。     

光纤激光光谱合束及光栅热效应研究进展

受热效应、光学损伤与非线性效应等因素的限制,单纤的功率提高困难。因此通过光学元件将多束激光进行合束的光束合成技术应运而生。光谱合束方案具有结构简单,合束光束质量好等优点,逐渐成为了合束技术发展的主流。简要介绍了光纤激光光谱合束的几种常见合束方案,对比分析了几种合束技术的优缺点。对光谱合束中存在的光栅热畸变问题,从理论研究和实验研究两个方面进行了针对性的分析与讨论,并对光谱合束未来的发展趋势进行了展望。     

Threshold analysis of fiber-coupler-combined fiber lasers

Threshold conditions of coherently combined fiber lasers, joint by fiber couplers (FCs), have been studied. After considering the phase change of a light wave crossing the fiber inside the FC, it has been shown that, at the two input ports of the coupler connecting with the amplifying fibers, the phase difference between the two incoming fields should be equal to −π/2 if the threshold gain of the compound system is to be minimized. Starting from these input ports, following the circulations of waves, threshold conditions can be established. Expressions for the output and leakage powers, and optimum coupler splitting ratio nullifying the leakage when constituent fiber lasers giving different free-running powers have been derived. And, the threshold gain reductions of individual lasers after being coherently combined have been predicted.     

Passive coherent beam combining of quantum-cascade lasers with a Dammann grating

An external cavity using a binary phase grating has been developed to achieve coherent combining of five quantum-cascade lasers emitting at 4.65 μm. The grating phase profile is designed to combine five beams of equal intensities into a single beam with a good efficiency (~75%). The performances of this cavity concerning output power, stability, combining efficiency and beam quality are detailed. We report a CW combining efficiency of 66% corresponding to an output power of ~0.5 W with a good beam quality (M(2)<1.6).     

Demonstration of coherent addition of multiple gratings for high-energy chirped-pulse-amplified lasers

Petawatt solid-state lasers require meter-sized gratings to reach multiple-kilojoule energy levels without laser-induced damage. As an alternative to large single gratings, we demonstrate that smaller, coherently added (tiled) gratings can be used for subpicosecond-pulse compression. A Fourier-transform-limited, 650-fs chirped-pulse-amplified laser pulse is maintained by replacing a single compression grating with a tiled-grating assembly. Grating tiling provides a means to scale the energy and irradiance of short-pulse lasers.     

Precise determination of characteristic laser frequencies by an Er-doped fiber optical frequency comb

Femtosecond optical frequency combs correlate the microwave and optical frequencies accurately and coherently. Therefore, any optical frequency in visible to near-infrared region can be directly traced to a microwave frequency. As a result, the length unit "meter" is directly related to the time unit "second". This paper validates the capability of the national wavelength standards based on a home-made Er-doped fiber femtosecond optical frequency comb to measure the laser frequencies ranging from visible to near-infrared region. Optical frequency conversion in the femtosecond optical frequency comb is achieved by combining spectral broadening in a highly nonlinear fiber with a single-point frequency-doubling scheme. The signal-to-noise ratio of the beat notes between the femtosecond optical frequency comb and the lasers at 633, 698, 729, 780, 1064, and 1542 nm is better than 30 dB. The frequency instability of the above lasers is evaluated by using a hydrogen clock signal with a instability of better than 1×10^-13 at 1-s averaging time. The measurement is further validated by measuring the absolute optical frequency of an iodine-stabilized 532-nm laser and an acetylene-stabilized 1542-nm laser. The results are within the uncertainty range of the international recommended values. Our results demonstrate the accurate optical frequency measurement of lasers at different frequencies using the femtosecond optical frequency comb, which is not only important for the precise and accurate traceability and calibration of the laser frequencies, but also provides technical support for establishing the national wavelength standards based on the femtosecond optical frequency comb.     

一种实现光纤激光器高功率输出的方法

 介绍了一种实现光纤激光器高功率输出的新方法——采用螺旋芯光纤，这种光纤是在光纤制作过程中按照一定的弯曲半径使纤芯呈螺旋状排布在光纤包层中。介绍了这种螺旋芯光纤的原理和其提高输出功率的能力，以及目前的理论与实验研究现状。基于该光纤，提出了一种光纤激光器相干合成新思想。