Abstract

Phased array resonators based on the Talbot effect provide an important means of extracting high output power from arrays of low power laser elements.¹ It is proposed that 1-to-N-way splitters based on rectangular step-index multimode waveguides^2-5 could provide a new basis for phased array resonators. One potential design is illustrated in Fig. 1. In addition to the plane mirrors, the cavity consists of four distinct components: (i) an axial fundamental mode guide of cross-section, 2a × 2a; (ii) a rectangular multimode waveguide of cross-section, 2a × 2b, and length, D; (iii) an N-element array of phase plates; (iv) an N-element array of fundamental mode guides of cross-section, 2a × 2a (in practice these would contain the gain media). The elements of the phase plate and waveguide arrays are on a pitch, p, such that, p = 2b/N. The geometry of the cavity is such that the lateral separation of the axes of the edge elements of the waveguide array and the walls of the multimode waveguide is p/2.

© 1994 Optical Society of America