Spectral beam combination of fiber amplified ns-pulses by means of interference filters.

ABSTRACT

In this paper we introduce a simple scheme to spectrally combine four single beams using three low-cost dielectric interference filters as combining elements. 25 ns pulses from four independent and actively Q-switched fiber seed-sources are amplified in a single stage fiber-amplifier. Temporally and spatially combined 208 W of average power and 6.3 mJ of pulse energy are obtained at two different repetition frequencies. A detailed analysis of beam quality as well as the thermal behavior of the combining elements is carried out and reveals mutual dependency.