High-power, low-divergence, linear array of quasi-diffraction-limited beams supplied by tapered diodes.

We describe for the first time to our knowledge the performance for a linear array of tapered laser diodes with both fast- and slow-axis collimation using a microlens for fast-axis collimation and a laser-written phase plate for slow-axis collimation and correction of the residual fast-axis errors from lens aberrations, thermal lensing, astigmatism, pointing errors, and other wavefront distortions. The phase plate leads to M(2) factor reductions of 1.5 for the lensed array following the fast axis and 2.6 for the whole bar following the slow axis.

Correction of beam errors in high power laser diode bars and stacks.

The beam errors of an 11 bar laser diode stack fitted with fast-axis collimator lenses have been corrected by a single refractive plate, produced by laser cutting and polishing. The so-called smile effect is virtually eliminated and collimator aberration greatly reduced, improving the fast-axis beam quality of each bar by a factor of up to 5. The single corrector plate for the whole stack ensures that the radiation from all the laser emitters is parallel to a common axis. Beam-pointing errors of the bars have been reduced to below 0.7 mrad.