Spectral beam combining of diode lasers extended into the non-SBC direction.

Abstract

An extended spectral beam combining (SBC) configuration that folds the optical path of the combining laser into the non-SBC direction and doubly narrows the SBC spectrum by introducing a right angular prism is proposed. Similar combined power and beam quality but half of the spectral width and a smaller size are demonstrated by comparing the standard SBC with the proposed SBC of the same 800nm laser bar. It provides an effective way to miniaturize the SBC size, improve the SBC stability and compress the SBC spectrum simultaneously. As far as we know, this study is also the first to report on folding the SBC optical path to the non-SBC direction, which provides a new idea for the SBC source.