INTERFEROMETER FOR OPTICAL COUPLING AND MODE SELECTION IN A MULTICHANNEL LASER ARRAY

A theoretical consideration is presented of the optical coupling and selection of laser array modes by the use of a developed Lummer-Gehrcke interferometer as a resonator reflector. Control of the mirror reflection of the proposed interferometer permits laser power to be redistributed through channels on the outlet resonator mirror; in particular, it makes it possible to lead power out of the resonator by a single beam. In this way it is possible to diminish the sidelobes in the far-field radiation profile of multichannel lasers and to raise the efficiency of the optical coupling of the laser array with waveguides and fibers. This method may be used for the redistribution of laser power on the outlet mirror in striped lasers as well.