Coherent combining of diode laser beams in a master oscillator – zigzag slab power amplifier system

An integrated zigzag laser diode amplifier, with each segment (zigzag) consisting of three sections, is considered. The operation of this amplifier is analysed. It is shown that the presence of three sections with independent pump currents makes it possible to combine coherently all amplifier output beams. The first two sections in this configuration play the role of a phase shifter, and the third serves as a power amplifier. The influence of fluctuations of the output radiation phase in each segment on the resulting brightness of total output beam of the entire amplifier is investigated.