Laser beam alignment by fast feedback control of both linear and angular drifts

A new way to enhance the directional stability of laser beams with alternating intensity by fast feedback control of both linear and angular drifts has been proposed for alignment of laser beams at higher accuracy. Both linear and angular drifts of laser beams, processed through light intensity modulation and primary alignment using single-mode optical fiber (SMOF), are separated using light path arrangement and detected using phase-lock technique, and are controlled using fast feedback control mechanisms according to their detected magnitudes, so that both linear and angular drifts are suppressed to enhance the directional stability of the emitting laser beams. Theoretical analyses and preliminary experimental results indicate that the approach proposed can be used to achieve an alignment accuracy of more than 10−8 rad.