High-power laser systems with modular diode sources

Abstract

In various embodiments, a modular laser system features an enclosure having interfaces for accepting input laser beam modules, optical elements for combining beams from the modules into a combined output beam, and a heat-exchange manifold for interfacing with and cooling the modules during operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An input beam module for use in a laser system configured to combine a plurality of input beams into a combined output beam, the input beam module comprising:
 a housing;   a laser beam source disposed within the housing; and   an optical interface for transmitting one or more input beams out of the housing.   
     
     
         22 . The input beam module of  claim 21 , wherein the laser beam source comprises a diode bar configured to emit a plurality of laser beams. 
     
     
         23 . The input beam module of  claim 21 , wherein the laser beam source comprises:
 a beam emitter configured to emit a plurality of initial beams;   focusing optics for focusing the initial beams toward a dispersive element;   a dispersive element for receiving and dispersing the received initial beams; and   a partially reflective output coupler positioned to receive the dispersed beams, transmit a first portion of the dispersed beams therethrough as the one or more input beams, and reflect a second portion of the dispersed beams back toward the dispersive element.   
     
     
         24 . The input beam module of  claim 23 , wherein the partially reflective output coupler is at least a portion of the optical interface. 
     
     
         25 . The input beam module of  claim 23 , wherein the partially reflective output coupler is configured to transmit the first portion of the dispersed beams to the optical interface. 
     
     
         26 . The input beam module of  claim 23 , wherein the dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating. 
     
     
         27 . The input beam module of  claim 21 , wherein the optical interface comprises at least one of a window, a prism, or a lens. 
     
     
         28 . The input beam module of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a cooling input for receiving heat-exchange fluid; and   a cooling output for outputting the heat-exchange fluid after heat exchange between the heat-exchange fluid and the laser beam source.   
     
     
         29 . The input beam module of  claim 21 , further comprising a focusing optical element for receiving and focusing one or more initial beams emitted by the laser beam source. 
     
     
         30 . The input beam module of  claim 21 , further comprising an electrical interface for receiving electrical power and transmitting electrical power to the laser beam source. 
     
     
         31 . An enclosure for use in a laser system configured to combine a plurality of input beams into a combined output beam, the enclosure comprising:
 a plurality of input receptacles each (i) configured to accept an input beam module and (ii) comprising an optical receiver for receiving one or more input beams from the input beam module; and   a beam output for outputting the combined output beam,   wherein, within the enclosure, input beams received from the optical receivers of the input receptacles are combined into the combined output beam, and the combined output beam is transmitted to the beam output.   
     
     
         32 . The enclosure of  claim 31 , wherein the beam output comprises an output receptacle for receiving an optical fiber. 
     
     
         33 . The enclosure of  claim 31 , wherein the beam output comprises a window for transmitting a free-space output beam. 
     
     
         34 . The enclosure of  claim 31 , wherein the optical receiver of at least one of the input receptacles comprises at least one of a window, a prism, or a lens. 
     
     
         35 . The enclosure of  claim 31 , wherein each input receptacle comprises an electrical output for supplying electrical power to the input beam module accepted therewithin. 
     
     
         36 . The enclosure of  claim 31 , wherein each input receptacle comprises an alignment feature for mechanically aligning an input beam module with the enclosure, whereby, when an input beam module is accepted within the input receptacle, the optical receiver of the input receptacle is positioned to receive the one or more input beams from the input beam module. 
     
     
         37 . The enclosure of  claim 31 , further comprising one or more optical elements for receiving input beams from the optical receivers of the input receptacles, combining the input beams into a combined output beam, and transmitting the combined output beam to the beam output. 
     
     
         38 . The enclosure of  claim 37 , wherein the one or more optical elements comprise (i) focusing optics for focusing input beams toward a dispersive element, (ii) a dispersive element for receiving and dispersing the received input beams, and (iii) a partially reflective output coupler positioned to receive the dispersed beams, transmit a portion of the dispersed beams therethrough as the combined output beam, and reflect a second portion of the dispersed beams back toward the dispersive element. 
     
     
         39 . The enclosure of  claim 38 , wherein the partially reflective output coupler is at least a portion of the beam output. 
     
     
         40 . The enclosure of  claim 37 , wherein the one or more optical elements are configured to combine the input beams into the combined output beam and transmit the combined output beam to the beam output even if one or more of the input receptacles is empty.