Fast-to-slow axis mode imaging for brightness enhancement of a broad-area laser diode array.
Broad-area laser (BAL) diodes have found use in numerous applications requiring multi-watt powers, but remain limited by poor spatial beam quality. A novel laser cavity that enhances the brightness of a BAL array has been demonstrated. Wavelength beam combining (WBC) is used to spatially overlap output from the emitters. Improved beam quality is achieved by imaging the fast-axis mode onto the slow axis of the BAL array. The brightness is enhanced twofold over a typical Littman-Metcalf WBC cavity, reaching 47 MW·cm(-2)·sr(-1) at an output power of 1.16 W.
University of Colorado - Boulder, Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. andrew.mi.jones@colorado.edu
Andrew M
AM
Jones
Juliet T
JT
Gopinath
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004735:Energy Transfer; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D007909:Lenses; D008027:Light; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000295:instrumentation*