Abstract: In various embodiments, a wavelength beam combining laser system includes a fast-axis collimation lens that is rotated with respect to a plurality of emitters in order to converge the emitted beams onto a dispersive element and/or reduce the size of the multi-wavelength output beam of the system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system alters a spatial power distribution of a plurality of radiation beams before the beams are coupled into an optical fiber.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the beam parameter product and/or numerical aperture of a laser beam is adjusted utilizing a step-clad optical fiber having a central core, a first cladding, an annular core, and a second cladding.

Abstract: In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate optical cross-coupling mitigation systems and/or engineered partially reflective output couplers in order to reduce or substantially eliminate unwanted back-reflection of stray light.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a wavelength beam combining laser system includes a fast-axis collimation lens that is rotated with respect to a plurality of emitters in order to converge the emitted beams onto a dispersive element and/or reduce the size of the multi-wavelength output beam of the system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system alters a spatial power distribution of a plurality of radiation beams before the beams are coupled into an optical fiber.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system alters a spatial power distribution of a radiation beams before the beam is coupled into an optical fiber or delivered to a workpiece.

Abstract: In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate fast-axis collimation lenses and slow-axis collimation lenses (either separately or as portions of a single hybrid lens) optically upstream of an optical rotation system to thereby reduce or minimize cross-talk in the combined output beam.

Abstract: In various embodiments, one or more prisms are utilized in a wavelength beam combining laser system to regulate beam size and/or to provide narrower wavelength bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple emitters into a multi-wavelength ouput beam having a certain band and combining a plurality of these bands into a single output using non-free space combining modules.

Abstract: In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate fast-axis collimation lenses and slow-axis collimation lenses (either separately or as portions of a single hybrid lens) optically upstream of an optical rotation system to thereby reduce or minimize cross-talk in the combined output beam.

Abstract: A laser system comprises: a seed oscillator, having a seed output; dispersive optics, operative to receive the seed output and divide the seed output into spectrally separate seed components; an array of individually addressable, phase adjustable laser amplifiers corresponding to the spectrally separate components, each laser amplifier receiving as its seed one of the spectrally separate seed components and producing one of the spectrally separate amplified components; and phase actuators controlling the individually addressable, phase adjustable laser amplifiers. A method of operating a laser system comprises: generating a seed signal; dividing the seed signal into spectrally separate component signals; amplifying the spectrally separate component signals; recombining the spectrally separate component signals into an amplified output; and controlling phases of the amplified spectrally separate component signals. Both single-pass and double-pass amplifier array versions are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple emitters into a multi-wavelength ouput beam having a certain band and combining a plurality of these bands into a single output using non-free space combining modules.

Abstract: In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate etalons to establish external lasing cavities and/or to combine multiple input beams into a single output beam.

Abstract: In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate optical fibers and partially reflective output couplers or partially reflective interfaces or surfaces utilized to establish external lasing cavities.

Abstract: In various embodiments, passivation layers are deposited on internal surfaces of cooling channels defined within heat sinks for electronic devices such as laser beam emitters, the passivation layers retarding or substantially preventing erosion and/or corrosion of the heat sinks.

Abstract: In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature variable polarizers and beam shapers for altering the polarization and/or shape of the output beam for processing of various materials. The polarization and/or shape of the beam may be varied based on one or more characteristics of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for two-dimensional wavelength beam combining of laser sources. In one example, an external cavity multi-wavelength laser includes an array of laser emitters each producing an optical beam having a specified wavelength, a grating stack comprising a plurality of first-order diffraction gratings arranged linearly in a first dimension, and a dispersive element. The laser further includes a cylindrical telescope that images the optical beams from the array of laser emitters onto the grating stack. A first cylindrical transform lens spatially overlaps the optical beams in a second dimension forming a first region of overlap at the grating stack. A second cylindrical transform lens spatially overlaps the optical beams from the grating stack in the first dimension forming a second region of overlap at the dispersive element. The dispersive element transmits a multi-wavelength output beam comprising the spatially overlapped optical beams from the array of laser emitters.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a beam-parameter adjustment system and focusing system alters a spatial power distribution of a radiation beams before the beam is coupled into an optical fiber or delivered to a workpiece.

Abstract: In various embodiments, laser delivery systems feature one or more optical elements for receiving a radiation beam and altering the spatial power distribution thereof, a lens manipulation system for changing a position of at least one optical element within the path of the radiation beam, and a controller for controlling the lens manipulation system to achieve a target altered spatial power distribution on a workpiece.