Multichannel polarization stabilization for coherently combined fiber laser arrays.
We demonstrate a simplified approach toward active polarization control in coherently combined laser architectures. By leveraging optical phase dithers applied by a phase controller, polarization error signals are generated for an entire laser array from a single beam sample of the combined output, enabling closed-loop polarization locking of non-polarization-maintaining fibers. The concept is shown to be compatible with both hill-climbing and synchronous multidither phase control methods. Simultaneous phase locking and polarization locking was demonstrated for a five-fiber array with >99% phasing efficiency and >20 dB polarization extinction ratio.
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, One Space Park, R1-1184D, Redondo Beach, California 90278, USA. gregory.goodno@ngc.com
Gregory D
GD
Goodno
Stuart J
SJ
McNaught
Mark E
ME
Weber
S Benjamin
SB
Weiss