Efficient power scaling of laser radiation by spectral beam combining.

The possibility of achieving multikilowatt laser radiation by spectrally combining beams using volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) is shown. The VBGs recorded in a photothermorefractive glass exhibit long-term stability of all its parameters in high-power laser beams with power density >1 MW/cm2 in the cw beam of total power on a kilowatt level. We consider an architecture-specific beam-combining scheme and address the cross-talk minimization problem based on optimal channel positioning. Five-channel high efficiency spectral beam combining resulted in a >750 W near-diffraction-limited cw beam has been demonstrated experimentally.

Stable coherent coupling of laser diodes by a volume Bragg grating in photothermorefractive glass.

Two separate laser diodes emitting near 980 nm were coupled by a thick volume Bragg grating recorded in a photothermorefractive glass. The coupled diodes emitted at the same wavelength with a spectral width narrowed to below the resolution of the spectrum analyzer (<30 pm). Coherent emission at a pumping level greater than five times above the threshold was observed for several months with near-unity visibility of the interference pattern.