WAVELENGTH BEAM COMBINING BASED PULSED LASERS
A system for producing a laser pulse includes a laser driver capable of direct modulation of a laser source comprising a plurality of lasers, and a wavelength beam combining cavity, comprising the directly modulated laser source, for producing a wavelength beam combining output of light from the plurality of lasers. The wavelength beam combining cavity may comprise a fast axis wavelength beam combining cavity. The laser source may comprise a multidimensional array of diode lasers disposed in a stack spatially interleaved or optically aligned. Each of the plurality of diode lasers may produce a distinct wavelength.
1 . A short pulse laser system comprising:
a short pulse laser source comprising a plurality of lasers;
a wavelength beam combining cavity, comprising the laser source, for producing a wavelength beam combined output; and
a coupling facility for coupling the wavelength beam combining output.
2 . The laser system of claim 1 , further comprising a laser driver for modulating the laser source.
3 - 4 . (canceled)
5 . The laser system of claim 1 , the short pulse laser source produces the light pulses using laser gain switching.
6 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein the laser source is a QCW laser.
7 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein the laser source is a CW laser operated in a gain-switched pulsed mode.
8 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein the laser source comprises a multidimensional array of diode lasers.
15 - 16 . (canceled)
17 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lasers are optically aligned to form an optical stack.
18 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein the wavelength beam combining output coupling facilitates coupling to fiber in a 20-600 micron core diameter range.
19 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A system for producing a laser pulse, comprising:
a laser driver capable of direct modulation of a laser source comprising a plurality of lasers; and
a wavelength beam combining cavity, comprising the directly modulated laser source, for producing a wavelength beam combining output of light from the plurality of lasers.
22 - 23 . (canceled)
24 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the laser source is operated in a gain-switched pulsed mode.
25 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the laser source comprises a multidimensional array of diode lasers.
26 - 34 . (canceled)
35 . The system of claim 21 , wherein each of a portion of the plurality of lasers receives a direct modulation signal at a distinct time.
36 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . The system of claim 21 , further including a coupling facility for coupling the wavelength beam combining output.
39 - 43 . (canceled)
44 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the laser driver is in communication with the laser source so that each of the plurality of lasers receives a distinct modulation.
45 - 100 . (canceled)
101 . A material processing short pulse fiber laser system, comprising:
a laser source comprising a plurality of lasers that are capable of short pulse operation;
a wavelength beam combining cavity, comprising the plurality of lasers, for producing a high brightness beam that comprises a wavelength beam combining output of the plurality of lasers; and
a fiber coupling facility for coupling the high brightness beam that is adapted for materials processing.
102 . The laser system of claim 101 , further comprising a laser driver for modulating the laser source.
103 . The laser system of claim 101 , the short pulse laser source produces the light pulses using laser gain switching.
104 . The laser system of claim 101 , wherein the laser source is a QCW laser.
105 . The laser system of claim 101 , wherein the laser source is a CW laser operated in a gain-switched pulsed mode.
106 . The laser system of claim 101 , wherein the laser source comprises a multidimensional array of diode lasers.