Tapered Diode Lasers in a Talbot Cavity for Coherently Beam Combined High Power Lasers

High Energy Lasers (HELs) are needed for a variety of defense applications. However, the large size and weight of fiber-based HEL systems hinders their practical deployment in the field. Much of the size and weight stems from the thermal management required because of the low efficiency of the overall laser. In the solution proposed by Freedom Photonics, we will improve the efficiency and reduce the size and weight of current High Energy Laser systems by utilizing the output power of diode lasers directly, removing the need for a fiber laser altogether. The solution will also include coherent beam combination of high-power tapered diode lasers in an external Talbot cavity configuration. This revolutionary development will simplify HEL architecture, reducing cost and thus enabling the pervasive deployment of laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) in support of US military forces.