Large-scale monolithic lens arrays for coherent beam combination

Mitchell Soufleris; Mark McElhinney; Paul Blair; Brian Mann; Paul Graham

doi:10.1117/12.3021928

7 June 2024 Large-scale monolithic lens arrays for coherent beam combination

Mitchell Soufleris, Mark McElhinney, Paul Blair, Brian Mann, Paul Graham

Proceedings Volume 13029, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XIX; 1302903 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021928
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2024, National Harbor, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Coherent Beam Combination (CBC) is used for Laser Directed Energy Weapons (LDEW) because of its power scalability and ability to produce high quality, low-divergence output beams capable of high-speed compensation for atmospheric turbulence. Traditional CBC optical arrays, comprised of many individual optics, suffer from mechanical and thermal stability issues as power levels and size increase. PowerPhotonic monolithic lens arrays offer a robust, scalable solution that simplifies system alignment and offers the mechanical and thermal stability required to succeed at current and future LDEW power levels. Unique manufacturing techniques allow PowerPhotonic to continue to increase the form factor of these monolithic arrays to keep up with power scaling requirements. Newly implemented tools have demonstrated a 4x increase in clear aperture capability with room for further improvement with more mechanical modifications to the manufacturing system. Large monolithic lens arrays have the power handling and dense packing capabilities to support LDEW systems aiming to achieve megawatts of coherently combined power and beyond.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Mitchell Soufleris, Mark McElhinney, Paul Blair, Brian Mann, and Paul Graham "Large-scale monolithic lens arrays for coherent beam combination", Proc. SPIE 13029, Laser Technology for Defense and Security XIX, 1302903 (7 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021928

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