High average power integrated optical waveguide laser
AssigneeApplied Physical Electronics, L.C.
InventorWilliam C. Nunnally
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Abstract
A high power laser whose output is a matrix of individual phase controlled pixels is disclosed, each pixel containing a number of low power, single transverse mode, phase coherent gain channel outputs. Each row of pixels is formed as an optical pump waveguide that is transverse or orthogonal to a number of parallel, longitudinal gain channels integrated within or adjacent to the transverse pump waveguide. Optical pump energy is produced and injected by a number of parallel laser diode bars, located along both longitudinal sides of the pump waveguide. Waste thermal energy from the pump diodes and gain channels is extracted from each laser row by integrating the row pump waveguide, gain channels, and pump diodes within a heat exchanger.
Claims19
A laser, comprising:
- a. a waveguide center;
- b. a plurality of gain channels arranged longitudinally along the waveguide center, wherein the plurality of gain channels are separated into a plurality of gain channel groups across the waveguide center;
- c. a plurality of laser diode bars arranged orthogonally to the plurality of gain channels.
A method for manufacturing a laser, comprising the method steps of:
- a. forming a pump waveguide center;
- b. etching into the pump waveguide center a plurality of gain media channels;
- c. depositing a lasing media into the plurality of gain media channels;
- d. depositing a first optical material layer over the pump waveguide center, wherein the first optical material layer comprises a first index of refraction;
- and
- e. depositing a second optical material layer over the first optical material layer, wherein the second optical material layer comprises a second index of refraction that is greater than the first index of refraction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.