Patent ID: 9612412
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: G02B,H01S

Claim:
1. A beam combining device comprising: at least one beam splitter comprising a semi-reflective surface, first and second inputs, and first and second outputs; the at least one beam splitter operatively connected to receive first and second light beams at the first and second inputs, respectively; the semi-reflective surface having first and second sides positioned such that light entering the first input and illuminating the first side may be reflected through the first output and/or transmitted through the second output; and light entering the second input illuminating the second side may be transmitted through the first output and/or reflected through the second output; phase adjustment circuitry for adjusting the relative phases of the first and second light beams; the phases being adjustable such that when light transmitted through the semi reflective surface from the first input has a phase which cancels light reflected from the semi reflective surface from the second input, and light reflected from the semi-reflective surface from first input constructively adds to the light transmitted through the semi-reflective surface from the second input, then light having the combined power of the first and second light beams is emitted through the first output; and when light transmitted through the semi-reflective surface from the first input has a phase which constructively adds to light reflected from the semi-reflective surface from the second input, and light reflected from the semi-reflective surface from first input destructively interferes with the light transmitted through the semi-reflective surface from the second input, then light having the combined power of the first and second light beams is emitted through the second output; whereby depending upon the adjustment of phases of the first and second light beams, the power of the light outputted from either the first or second outputs may be controlled.