Means for phase locking the outputs of a surface emitting laser diode array

Patent · Tue Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6083220

Lesh, J R

An array of injection phase-locked diode lasers is described utilizing as a master a separate laser source, and means for coupling light from the master laser source into each diode laser of the array of diode lasers. The array is fabricated in a body of semi-conductor material. Each diode laser has a back facet on one side of the body of semiconductor material and a front facet on an opposite side of the body of semiconductor material. The light coupling means comprises a hologram prepared for producing from the output of the master laser source a set of distinct, spatially separated beams, each one directed into the back facet of each diode laser . To assure emission of phase coherent light from the array of diode lasers, the hologram is positioned between the master laser source and the one side of the body of semiconductor material. The hologram is prepared by illuminating a holographic emulsion plate with an image of the array of diode lasers using coherent light of substantially the same wavelength as the master laser source, and a coherent reference beam of substantially the same wavelength as the master laser source.

• Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4677629
• OSTI ID: 6083220
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
COHERENT RADIATION
COUPLING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FABRICATION
HOLOGRAPHY
ILLUMINANCE
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
MATERIALS
MODE LOCKING
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
VISIBLE RADIATION
WAVELENGTHS