Advanced Fiber Coupled Semiconductor Lasers: A Compact 10 Watt Demonstrator

Because of the extreme compactness, very good portability, reliability, and ease-of-use of the diode lasers, high power systems that combine the light from several diode lasers offer significant ergonomic and economic advantages over solid state lasers in many applications. Applied Optronics Corp proposes to develop and demonstrate a compact, reliable, diode laser device that will produce 10 watts (CW) from a fiber, for use in self-contained, portable systems. As opposed to the established approach of coupling a linear array of emitting elements into a single fiber, our novel approach relies on multiple, individual lasers, each coupled to its own fiber. The individual fibers are then combined into a compact bundle with the smallest possible diameter. This approach offers the advantages of individually replaceable lasers, the use of standard fibers and packaging that simplifies heat management.