Abstract: A high energy laser processing system (100) comprising: an optical source (102) to provide a cw initial laser signal having a spectral linewidth of 15 to 250 GHz; an optical modulator (104) configurable in a cw operating mode to transmit the cw initial laser signal unmodulated and in a pulsed operating mode to apply amplitude modulation to form a pulsed initial laser signal; an optical splitter (106); optical amplifiers (108) to amplify the seed laser signals to average optical powers of 800 W to 5 kW; phase actuators (110) configurable to adjust phases of seed laser signals; phase control apparatus (116) operative to transmit phase control signals configured to cause phase actuators to adjust phases of seed laser signals to minimize phase differences between seed laser signals within a combined laser signal output from the beam combiner; and a controller (118) to transmit at least one control signal configured to cause the optical modulator to switch between the operating modes.

Abstract: A laser system for generating optical pulses at an operating wavelength of the laser system. The system has an optical resonator comprising first and second reflectors, and a tapered optical fiber disposed between the first and second reflectors. The tapered optical fiber has a core which has a tapered input section which tapers from single mode to multimode at the laser operating wavelength, an inner section of substantially constant diameter capable of supporting multiple modes at the laser operating wavelength and a tapered output section which tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: A laser system for generating optical pulses at an operating wavelength of the laser system. The system has an optical resonator comprising first and second reflectors, and a tapered optical fiber disposed between the first and second reflectors. The tapered optical fiber has a core which has a tapered input section which tapers from single mode to multimode at the laser operating wavelength, an inner section of substantially constant diameter capable of supporting multiple modes at the laser operating wavelength and a tapered output section which tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: A laser system for generating optical pulses at an operating wavelength of the laser system. The system has an optical resonator comprising first and second reflectors, and a tapered optical fiber disposed between the first and second reflectors. The tapered optical fiber has a core which has a tapered input section which tapers from single mode to multimode at the laser operating wavelength, an inner section of substantially constant diameter capable of supporting multiple modes at the laser operating wavelength. The tapered optical fiber can include a tapered output section wherein the core tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: A laser system for generating optical pulses at an operating wavelength of the laser system. The system has an optical resonator comprising first and second reflectors, and a tapered optical fiber disposed between the first and second reflectors. The tapered optical fiber has a core which has a tapered input section which tapers from single mode to multimode at the laser operating wavelength, an inner section of substantially constant diameter capable of supporting multiple modes at the laser operating wavelength and a tapered output section which tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.