Patent ID: 11909167
Assignee: ELBIT SYSTEMS ELECTRO-OPTICS ELOP LTD.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC H  G | IPC G  H

Claim 0:
1. A method for coherent beam combining (CBC) comprising:
generating an array of temporally coherent input optical beams and a reference optical beam;
generating an array of output optical beams corresponding to the array of input optical beams such that the output optical beams propagate along a first propagation direction, for beam-combining thereof;
dividing each of the output optical beams such that a first portion of each of the output optical beams is directed towards the first propagation direction, all first portions of the output optical beams forming a combined output optical beam, and a second portion of each of the output optical beams is directed towards a second propagation direction and used as a sample optical beam;
directing the reference optical beam, such that the reference optical beam interferes with the sample optical beams, generating a plurality of corresponding optical interference signals;
providing an array of optical detectors, each being positioned and configured to measure intensity of a respective optical interference signal, and generate a power output value, indicative of the overall intensity of the respective optical interference signal;
automatically and separately changing polarization of each of the input optical beams, while comparing the measured power output value of its corresponding optical interference signal with at least one previously measured power output value generated by the respective optical detector, wherein the changing of the polarization of each input optical beam is carried out directly based on the measured power output values of its respective optical interference signals, without calculating or estimating the correct polarization and/or without producing any other signal associated therewith;
locking the polarization of the input optical beam when reaching an extremum power output value of its respective optical interference signal, and, wherein the generating of the optical interference optical signals, measuring of the power output values of the multiple optical detectors and polarization locking are carried out continuously and simultaneously for all input and output optical beams and optical interference signals.