激光与光电子学进展, 2014, 51 (12): 121402, 网络出版: 2014-11-26
基于液晶相控阵阵列的激光相干合成方法
Coherent Beam Combination Based on Array of Liquid Crystal Optical Phased Arrays
激光光学 相干合成 任意波束指向 液晶相控阵 峰值光强 波束质量 laser optics coherent beam combination arbitrary beam direction liquid crystal optical phased array peak intensity beam quality
摘要
结合相干合成理论与液晶相控阵波束控制技术,提出了一种基于液晶相控阵阵列的激光相干合成方法,可以获得一维方向上一定角度范围内具有任意波束指向的合成激光。阐明了相干合成理论,并从波束指向、合成光强和波束质量三方面对合成激光进行研究。研究发现,波束指向误差的产生原因是阵列干涉项的极大值非连续,提出了通过增大阵列间距减小波束指向误差的办法,筛选得到了使合成激光的峰值光强与理论值相符的特殊波束指向点,即电极干涉项与阵列干涉项的极大值重合点。仿真表明,这种相干合成方法对激光的波束质量有提高作用。最后通过基于1 × 3 、2 × 2 液晶相控阵阵列的相干合成实验得到了波束指向分别为0° 、0.17° 、0.34° 的合成激光,证明了理论分析的正确性和基于液晶相控阵阵列的激光相干合成方法的可行性。
Abstract
Combing the theory of coherent beam combination (CBC) and the technology of beam steering by liquid crystal optical phased array (LCOPA), a method of CBC based on array of LCOPA array is proposed in this article. On the basis of explaining this kind of CBC theory, combined beam is researched from three aspects: beam direction, intensity and beam quality. Analysis results indicate that the reason for error of beam direction is the discontinuity of maximum points of array interference factor. Based on the results a measure to induce error by adding array space is adopted. Then some special beam directions at which the peak intensity matches theoretical value are screened, which are the coincident points of maximum values of electrode interference factor and array interference factor. Furthermore, numerical simulation indicates that this CBC method makes a certain contribution on improving beam quality. Finally, experiments of CBC based on 1 × 3 and 2 × 2 array of LCOPA are carried on and combined beams with beam directions of 0° 、0.17° 、0.34° are obtained. This experiment proves the validity of theory analysis and the feasibility of CBC based on array of LCOPA.
杨镇铭, 孔令讲, 肖锋, 陈建. 基于液晶相控阵阵列的激光相干合成方法[J]. 激光与光电子学进展, 2014, 51(12): 121402. Yang Zhenming, Kong Lingjiang, Xiao Feng, Chen Jian. Coherent Beam Combination Based on Array of Liquid Crystal Optical Phased Arrays[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2014, 51(12): 121402.