Fedor V. Lebedev

Bifurcation and chaos in a system of optically coupled CO2 lasers

Bifurcation and chaotic lasing regimes have been observed for the first time ever in a system of optically coupled CO2 lasers. The regions of stable laser mode locking are determined analytically and numerically. The dynamic regimes in the absence of mode locking are calculated. Agreement between experimental and numerical results is obtained.

Coupled CO2 lasers

This paper reviews experimental results obtained during research on the possibility of developing high power laser systems based on coupled CO2 laser arrays. Resonator mirrors were used for individual laser coupling and the Talbot effect and spatial filters were used for phase locking of laser arrays. New methods of phase locking of individual lasers are discussed. Far-field intensity distributions of coupled CO2 lasers and laser arrays are presented. The aperture filling method of main lobe energy maintenance increase is described and generation stability of coupled lasers is considered. The realization of a coherent energy regime of individual lasers in array is a possible method of improving radiation divergence and developing high power and compact CO2 lasers for industrial applications

Effective phase locking of an array of lasers

It is predicted theoretically and verified experimentally that an effective phase-locking of a two-dimensional array of lasers can be achieved by making use of the reproduction of the wave front of a periodic structure of coherent radiators.

Use of a spatial filter for phase locking of a laser array

An experimental investigation was made of a new method for phase locking of a periodic laser array. The advantages of the method include an afocal position of a spatial filter and the ease of variation of the coefficient representing the coupling between the lasers in the array, which makes it possible to select the optimal value of this coefficient to ensure the highest total radiation power.

Generation and control of intense laser beams in multibeam laser systems

The modern state and perspectives of development of high power multibeam CO2 lasers are described. The problems of phase locking of laser arrays and main lobe energy maintenance increase are discussed also.

Multibeam waveguide CO2 laser excited by an alternating-current discharge

We report the development of a multibeam laser, excited by an ac discharge in the frequency range approximately 10 to 70 kHz. The results are given of an investigation of the active medium and of the dependence of the output characteristics of such lasers on the discharge tube diameter, pressure in the gas mixture, and frequency of the pumping current.

Measurement of the phase difference between the output beams of two coupled CO 2 lasers

Measurements were made of the phase difference between the output beams of two coupled CO2 lasers operating in a coherent regime. The results of the experiments are in qualitative agreement with calculations performed on the basis of a point model of two coupled lasers, taking the gain dynamics into account. The dependencies of the phase difference on the mismatch of the resonator lengths and on the length of the coupling channel should be useful when constructing a phasematched set of lasers and an optical guidance system linked to it.

Phase locking of a two-dimensional array of CO2 waveguide lasers

Abstract not available.

Output characteristics of a waveguide CO2 laser with plane mirrors

A study was made of the influence of misalignment of the plane mirrors of a waveguide CO2 laser on the output power and mode structure of the radiation. It was found that misalignment of the resonator only weakly affected the output power, but exerted a strong influence on the beam divergence and maximum radiation intensity in the far-field zone. A qualitative agreement was obtained between the experimental results and the proposed theoretical model.

High-power waveguide CO2 amplifier with injection locking

A high-power waveguide CO2 amplifier with injection locking was constructed. Its energy and frequency characteristics were investigated. Single-frequency radiation of 50 W power was generated under quasi-cw operation conditions.