Coherent Laser Beam Addition: An Application of Binary-Optics Technology

摘要

Coherent laser beam addition offers the potential for extremely bright optical sources by combining the power from many individual lasers. Binary-optical elements - surface - relief structures etched into optical substrates by integrated-circuit techniques - have been sucessfully employed in three optical beam addition systems. The techniques can produce diffraction-limited laser sources from large-scale two-dimensional laser arrays. Future electrooptic systems, ranging from communications to space surveillance, can benefit from the new high-power laser sources made possible by coherent laser beam addition. Reprints. (RH)