Wavelength beam combining laser systems utilizing etalons

Abstract

In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate etalons to establish external lasing cavities and/or to combine multiple input beams into a single output beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming an output beam, the method comprising:
 stabilizing beams emitted by a plurality of emitters each to a unique wavelength in an external laser cavity; and   transmitting the stabilized beams to a dispersive element, the dispersive element combining the stabilized beams into a multi-wavelength output beam.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each beam is stabilized to its unique wavelength by introducing the beam to a stabilizing element that (i) reflects a portion of the beam back to its emitter to stabilize the beam and (ii) transmits the stabilized beam. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the stabilizing element comprises an etalon. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an optical axis of the stabilizing element is tilted at a non-zero tilt angle with respect to a propagation direction of the beam. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tilt angle of the stabilizing element is selected from the range of approximately 2° to approximately 25°. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein introducing the beam to the stabilizing element comprises focusing the beam toward the stabilizing element. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the dispersive element comprises a dispersive prism, a grism, or an Echelle grating. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the dispersive element comprises a diffraction grating. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the dispersive element comprises a transmissive diffraction grating. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the beam emitters comprises a diode laser. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising collimating each beam after emission thereof by its beam emitter. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transmitting the stabilized beams to the dispersive element comprises converging the stabilized beams toward the dispersive element. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the stabilized beams are converged toward the dispersive element by one or more lenses. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising coupling at least a portion of the output beam into an optical fiber. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising delivering the at least a portion of the output beam to a workpiece. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising cutting or welding the workpiece with the at least a portion of the output beam. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising delivering at least a portion of the output beam to a workpiece. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising cutting or welding the workpiece with the at least a portion of the output beam. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the beam emitters comprises an optical fiber. 
     
     
         34 . A method of forming an output beam, the method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of beams at an etalon, each beam having a different wavelength;   spatially combining the plurality of beams at the etalon to form a multi-wavelength output beam; and   emitting the output beam from the etalon.