Abstract: A method for implementing a coherent laser beam combining system in which a master laser oscillator output is split into N signals, fed through N phase adjusters and N amplifiers and combined in a coherent power combiner. The output of the combiner is sampled and sent to a processor. The processor selects one of the N phase adjusters, sweeps the phase in small steps over a 2? range, and locks the phase of that adjuster to the phase that corresponds to the maximum value of the combiner sample for that sweep cycle. The process is repeated for all the remaining phase adjusters resulting in maximizing the combiner output. The sweep cycles are repeated continuously to correct any phase errors that may occur over time. A similar method can be used in which both the polarizations and the phases of the N signals are maximized to thereby maximize the output of the coherent power combiner.

Abstract: Multiple microwave oscillators can be phase locked such that the power output of multiple oscillators can be coherently combined to achieve a single output which has the total sum power of the multiple oscillators. Multiple oscillators assembled in a power combining array are phase locked using a locking signal provided at each oscillator via strategic placement of a partial obstruction between combined multiple oscillators and a load. This locking signal includes a minimum threshold level and preselected phase. A method for phase locking multiple microwave oscillators includes steps of combining power output of multiple microwave oscillators to achieve a single output to a load and inserting a partial obstruction between said at least two multiple oscillators and said load. The partial obstruction configured to provide a combined microwave oscillator signal including a minimum threshold and preselected phase.