Talbot diffraction and Fourier filtering for phase locking an array of lasers

Abstract

Talbot diffraction, together with Fourier filtering, are incorporated into a degenerate laser cavity to demonstrate efficient and controlled phase locking of hundreds of coupled lasers formed in different geometries and having different phase distributions. Such a combined approach leads to higher efficiency, better control, and greater variety of output phase distributions than would be possible with either separately. Simulated and experimental results for square, triangular, and honeycomb laser array geometries are presented.