Communications: Fiber-Coupled External-Cavity Semiconductor High-Power Laser
Abstract
Described in this report is the successful operation of the 'Fiber- Coupled External-Cavity Semiconductor high-Power Laser. In addition, this report includes experiment, theory and discussion on the physics of the operation of an external cavity in which a multiplicity of gain elements (semiconductor diode lasers with one facet antireflection (AR) coated) are coherently coupled. Variations of such external cavity schemes are being attempted under government sponsorship by commercial organizations. The desirability of fiber coupling will now be introduced. While diode lasers have many advantages over other types of lasers, at present their output power is limited. At higher powers, large-area single-stripe devices and monolithic arrays are limited by the heat dissipation density. Therefore, to operate these devices at high powers requires sophisticated cooling systems. An alternative technique to achieve high-power operation is to spatially separate sub-groups of lasers and coherently combine their output.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA257386
Entities
People
- Robert H. Rediker
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology