journal article·2025-11-16Open access

High-Power Laser Coherent Beam Combination Through Self-Imaging in Plasma Waveguides

Yixuan Huang, Haitao Zhang, Zhuoyi Yang, Yanwei Wang, Yihang Huang, Xiaozheng Liu, Junyu Chen

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 22

Abstract

A novel approach for laser coherent beam combination (CBC) utilizing the self-imaging effect in plasma waveguides is presented in this study, which enables the transmission of ultrashort laser pulses at intensities above the bulk damage threshold of conventional solid optical waveguides. The feasibility of self-imaging-based CBC in plasma waveguides was simulated and verified, demonstrating favorable combining efficiency and beam quality. This work explores the adaptive tuning of waveguide length via dynamic adjustment of plasma density, addressing the critical issue of fabrication tolerances in traditional waveguide systems. With CBC via plasma waveguide, this study offers support for the development of robust, high-power laser systems with enhanced beam quality and operational stability.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics · Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications · Solid State Laser Technologies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Precision Space-Time Information Sensing Technology, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Funding

Sichuan Science and Technology Program · Open Foundation of the State Key Laboratory of Precision Space-time Information Sensing Technology

References (29)

Show source-provided references
1. Fiber lasers and their applications: Introduction10.1364/JOSAB.34.00FLA1 ↗
2. Yan, Y. (2023). Research on Key Technologies of All-fiber Coherent Beam Combination System. [Ph.D. Thesis, Tsinghua University].
3. 10.4 kW coherently combined ultrafast fiber laser10.1364/OL.392843 ↗
4. Recent progress of temporal coherent combination of chirped pulses in fiber lasers
5. Temporal Coherent Combination of 256 Femtosecond Pulses
6. Study on coherent combined beam quality with fixed polarization laser arranged along Fermat spiral
7. High power and high energy four-channel coherent combining femtosecond laser system based on Yb-doped rod fiber10.7498/aps.74.20241476 ↗
8. Coherent combination of high power fiber amplifiers in a two-dimensional re-imaging waveguide10.1364/OE.18.013547 ↗
9. Application of ionized capillary plasma in laser acceleration
10. Guiding of High-Intensity Laser Pulses with a Hydrogen-Filled Capillary Discharge Waveguide10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.185003 ↗
11. Non-ablative capillary z-pinch for plasma-based waveguide10.1007/s10582-005-0005-2 ↗
12. Density measurement and magnetohydrodynamic simulation of gas-filled discharge capillary
13. Density evolution measurement of hydrogen plasma in capillary discharge by spectroscopy and interferometry methods10.1063/1.3643134 ↗
14. Characterization of the plasma parameters of a capillary discharge-produced plasma channel waveguide to guide an intense laser pulse10.1063/1.3397321 ↗
15. Observation and numerical analysis of plasma parameters in a capillary discharge-produced plasma channel waveguide10.1063/1.3560529 ↗
16. Direct measurement of the matched spot size in a slow capillary discharge optical waveguide10.1063/1.2821601 ↗
17. Measurement of the matched spot size in a capillary discharge waveguide with a collimated laser10.1063/1.5022817 ↗
18. Optimization of a hydrogen-filled quartz capillary discharge waveguide for high-energy laser wakefield acceleration10.1063/1.5024251 ↗
19. A high voltage pulsed power supply for capillary discharge waveguide applications10.1063/1.3600900 ↗
20. Time-resolved plasma temperature measurements in a laser-triggered hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide10.1088/0963-0252/20/5/055014 ↗
21. Laser-heater assisted plasma channel formation in capillary discharge waveguides10.1063/1.4793447 ↗
22. Plasma Antennas: A Comprehensive Review10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3411142 ↗
23. Experimental and numerical studies of a tunable plasma antenna sustained by RF power10.1109/TPS.2020.3023422 ↗
24. Guiding of high intensity laser pulses in straight and curved plasma channel experiments10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.4186 ↗
25. Investigation of a hydrogen plasma waveguide10.1103/PhysRevE.63.015401 ↗
26. First demonstration of guiding of high-intensity laser pulses in a hydrogen-filled capillary discharge waveguide10.1088/0953-4075/34/21/303 ↗
27. Hooker, S.M., Spence, D.J., and Smith, R.A. (1999, January 23–28). Investigation of a discharge-ablated capillary waveguide for high-intensity laser pulses. Proceedings of the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), Baltimore, MD, USA.
28. Transverse Interferometry of a Hydrogen-Filled Capillary Discharge Waveguide10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.025002 ↗
29. Demonstration of a high repetition rate capillary discharge waveguide10.1063/1.4940121 ↗