Abstract

This paper presents new ways in which stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) may be used to combine the outputs of several laser amplifiers to create a single coherent beam of high average power. The SBS produces optical phase conjugation which is characterized by (a) retroreflection of the incident beam and (b) correction of the wavefront distortions. Both properties are important for combining in the most useful manner the outputs of separate amplifiers. Three approaches to beam combining are discussed: (1) time multiplexing; (2) spatial multiplexing or phased arrays; and (3) serial combining. New conceptual designs are presented for each approach. The time multiplexing approach appears best suited when high pulse repetition rates are desired. The phased array approach provides the highest energy per pulse, while the third approach is rather flexible regarding the pulse repetition rate and laser pulse energy for a given average output power.

© 1987 Optical Society of America