Simulations of conjugate Dammann grating based 2D coherent solid-state laser array combination

Conjugate Dammann grating based coherent beam combing technique is an efficient way of combining phase-locked laser array into one high-power high beam-quality laser output. In this paper, this technique is applied to the combination of two-dimensional phase-locked array of solid state laser beams. Square apertures that could increase the areal fill factor of 21.5% are adopted. Numerical and experimental simulations of the combinations of 4×4 and 5×5 2D coherent laser arrays are carried out. The influences of manufacturing and positioning errors of the conjugate Dammann gratings to the beam combining efficiency are also discussed in detail.