Correction optical elements for coherent beam combining systems and systems and methods for coherent beam combining using same

A correction optical element (COE) for a multi-channeled coherent beam combining (CBC) system that uses a fiber array comprising multiple optical fibers and a single collimation array comprising multiple collimating lenses each configured only for collimation of an incoming optical beam, for coherent combining of a corresponding array of optical beams directed through the fiber array,

• wherein each pair of:
• a collimating lens of the collimation array and a corresponding optical fiber of the fiber array, defines a channel ij,
• wherein the COE is custom-fabricated for segmented correction of optical aberrations of the specific single CBC system by having an array of correction segments, each correction segment CSij in the array of correction segments, being customized in location and configuration to correct specific and premeasured one or more optical aberrations of a corresponding output optical beam Bij outputted from each corresponding pair of a collimation lens Lij and a corresponding optical fiber Fij,
• wherein the COE is configured for customized and segmented correction of collimation-based optical aberrations, caused at least due to misalignment between each corresponding optical fiber's Fij output end and a center of a corresponding collimating lens Lij,
• wherein the correction of the optical aberrations of all channels of the system, is done optically and simultaneously by the COE, and
• wherein the COE is located adjacently to and before or after the collimation array, such that no optical element is placed therebetween that is configured to change beam profile of optical beams.

A method for fabricating a correction optical element (COE) for a multi-channel coherent beam combining (CBC) system having an array of channels, using a fiber array, which is an array of optical fibers, an endcapping element connected at an input side thereof to the array of optical fibers and a collimation array comprising multiple collimating lenses each collimating lens being configured only for collimation of an incoming optical beam, for coherent combining of an array of input optical beams outputted by the endcapping element, the method comprising:

• measuring one or more optical aberrations Aij of each channel ij of the array of channels of the CBC system, based on measurement of characteristics of a wavefront of each output optical beam Bij of each channel Cij, outputted from a respective lens Lij of the collimation array which is connected to a respective optical fiber Fij;
• determining, for each segment CSij of the COE to be fabricated, a required correction design for correcting all measured optical aberrations of the respective correcting segment CSij, for the specific CBC system and for a particular location and positioning of the COE to be fabricated;
• fabricating a COE having an array of segments, by configuring each segment of the COE according to its respective required correction design;
• placing the COE at a determined positioning for optimal aberrations correction such that each correction segment CSij of the COE is positioned in an optimal positioning in respect to the output optical beam Bij;
• and
• using the COE to simultaneously correct optical aberrations of all segments of the CBC system;
• wherein the COE is configured for customized and segmented correction of optical aberrations, caused due to misalignments between a respective optical fiber's output end and a center of a corresponding collimating lenslet Lij of the collimation array of the specific CBC system, and
• wherein the COE is located adjacently to and before or after the collimation array, such that no optical element is placed therebetween that is configured to change beam profile of optical beams.

A system for coherent beam combining (CBC) comprising at least:

• at least one light source for irradiating light in a narrow wavelength band;
• a fiber array, which is an array of optical fibers configured to guide light emanating from the at least one light source forming an array of input optical beams;
• a collimation array, which is an array of collimating lenses, each collimating lens being configured only for collimation of an incoming optical beam;
• and
• a correction optical element (COE) that is customized for segmented correction of optical aberrations of the specific CBC system, the COE comprising an array of correction segments, each correction segment CSij being configured to correct specific and premeasured one or more optical aberrations of a corresponding output beam Bij emanating from a corresponding optical fiber Fij of a respective ij channel,
• wherein the COE is configured customized and segmented correction of optical aberrations, caused at least due to misalignments between a respective optical fiber's output end and a center of a corresponding collimating lens Lij of the collimation array of the specific CBC system,
• wherein the correction of optical aberrations of all channels is done optically and simultaneously, and
• wherein the COE is located adjacently to and before or after the collimation array, such that no optical element is placed therebetween that is configured to change beam profile of optical beams.