Inventors:
Robert W. Jones - Huntsville AL
Cha Caso - Huntsville AL
James F. Perkins - Huntsville AL
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC
International Classification:
H01S 308, H01S 3081
Abstract:
A modular unstable ring resonator utilizing several independent gain modules is used to obtain output of a multiple set of mutually coherent beams. Additionally, rigorous mutual coherence is maintained even when the system operates on more than one longitudinal mode or/and on more than one gain transition; specific frequency-control elements are eliminated; satisfactory operation is possible with one or more gain-medium modules disabled. Each segment of the ring resonator's optical path may contain a laser gain medium, an output mirror, and a beam expander for continuously circulating a portion of the system flux while also coupling out a portion of the flux from each output mirror. The plural outputs may be used individually or collectively.