A Laser with Intracavity Spectral Beam Combining with Continuous-Wave and Pulse-Periodic Pumping of Various Lasing Channels

Abstract

The output spectral, temporal, and spatial parameters of a two-channel Yb-fiber laser operating in an incoherent intracavity spectral beam-combining mode were investigated. One of the laser channels operated in continuous pumping mode, and the second channel operated in pulse-periodic pumping mode with a pulse duration of microseconds. When the channels operated separately, continuous lasing at a wavelength of λ1 was observed in one channel, and pulsed lasing at a wavelength of λ2 was observed in the other. When both channels operated simultaneously, it was shown that during the pump pulse action, the laser switched operation to pulsed collective mode lasing at a wavelength of (λ1 + λ2)/2. Lasing at wavelengths λ1 and λ2 was not observed at this time.

Keywords

• multi-channel laser
• spectral beam combining
• collective lasing
• fiber lasers
• gain switch