DE102010051097A1 - Laser system, for generating high or compact power densities on the object - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) is proposed for creating a laser that is made up of two or more individual lasers (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), each of which generates a single beam (50) . These individual beams (50) of the individual lasers (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) are projected onto a target (15) and geometrically superimposed on it, so that in total they achieve the desired output Realize goal (15). On the basis of this device (1), a weapon system (100) is also shown which, in addition to at least one fire control (101), at least one radar (102) and at least one evaluation or evaluation unit (103), has two or more weapon lasers (20) which can also be spaced from one another.

Description

The invention is specifically concerned with realizing high power densities on remote objects in order to process and / or destroy them. Based on this, the use is provided in a high power laser system with very good beam quality.

Lasers are classified into low energy lasers, medium energy lasers and high energy lasers.

A method for adaptive beam control of intermediate energy laser weapons describes the DE 198 04 720 B4 , The Mittelenergiewaffe has a middle energy laser and a control device with thermal imaging device, computer and laser power controllers, which is set to set a desired laser beam diameter at the target in a measurement phase of the laser beam with initially low laser beam power, which is then increased progressively up to the maximum possible beam power.

A device with a laser arrangement for irradiating a target is the subject of DE 102 52 685 B4 , The laser arrangement in turn consists of an oscillator-amplifier system, which can be operated in a first mode as a directional laser in the low-energy range and in the second mode as a high-energy laser.

Other laser systems describe the EP 0 980 123 A2 as well as the EP 1 041 686 A2 as well as the US 4,867,534 A ,

In the EP 1 730 822 B discloses a hybrid laser source that is scalable to provide a high power output beam with good beam quality. The laser source comprises, inter alia, a solid-state laser amplifier, an array of laser fiber amplifiers, a phase and polarization sensor and means for controlling phase and polarization of elements of the array of laser fiber amplifiers, etc.

High energy lasers have a good beam quality only in the power range up to about 10 kW. As a result, high-energy laser with, for example, laser powers ≥ 20 kW and a good beam quality difficult to achieve. Furthermore, the damage thresholds for the optical components limit the maximum allowable laser power for a given aperture.

From the DE 10 2007 049 436 B4 For example, a fiber laser array of high beam power is known which consists of a plurality of continuous coherent single-fiber lasers which are distributed by a common longitudinally operated master oscillator pump energy distributed over a fiber splitter distributed in the single-fiber laser. The radiation leaving the fiber array is directed to a target or a target point, wherein the respective phase differences in the individual fiber laser branches are determined and evaluated in a control electronics for the control of an optimal phase coupling of the fiber branches of the fiber laser array for the intensity of the emitted To achieve laser radiation at the target point.

The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method which makes it possible to realize especially a high-power laser system that generates a compact power density on the object.

The problem is solved by the features of claim 1 or 7. Advantageous embodiments are shown in the subclaims.

The invention is based on the idea of dividing the power into several lasers and geometrically superimposing them on the target so that a total power density of all individual power densities is achieved in total at the target. That is to say, the required power density is provided by two or more to create separate laser systems (laser branches) or smaller units that are coupled to each other (for example, by means of a spectral or optical grating) so that they each have a half (X / 2), third (X / 3) or fourth (X / 4) Part etc. provide the required or desired laser power density with good beam quality, which are geometrically superimposed on the target (summation), so as to act on the object / target itself with the full power density ( 5 ). If only two laser system branches are used, each of the branches must deliver a higher performance than if three, four or more branches are involved.

For optimum geometric superimposition, an illumination system, preferably a laser, is used which marks the area to be irradiated on the object. The reflection of the illumination signal from the object is registered by the laser system, preferably by the same telescope or optical system through which the laser beam is to be transmitted.

Aligning the telescope to the reflex or fine-tracking ensures that all laser beams illuminate the marked area, increasing the power density in the marked area. In this way, the atmospheric changes of the 1st order can be compensated.

The illumination laser can basically be driven in two modes: cw, pulsed. In In the operating mode cw, the wavelength of the illumination laser must be different from that of the laser system so that the reflection of the illumination laser in the laser system can be separated from that of the laser system for the evaluation.

In pulsed operation, both the illumination laser and the laser system can have the same wavelength. By skillful Pulspausenbetriebe the illumination laser and the laser system can be ensured that the laser system only evaluates the reflex of the illumination laser (illumination laser on, laser system off).

Each of the two or more laser system branches are combined into a laser beam in a combination unit / grating. - Alternatively, in addition to the spectral coupling and a geometric coupling or phase coupling is possible. - The rays impinging on the grating are coupled in and out again so that they are emitted together via an optical system, for example a telescope, to the target (object). If further laser branches are provided, the beam thus generated is also guided onto the target, wherein it is geometrically superimposed on the target with the beam of the other laser branch. This then also applies to the other branches. The geometric overlay increases the performance at the destination.

Two or more units (powers) can be directed to a grid. However, the number of alignable units is dependent on the performance of the grid. Laser (unit) and grating are in turn multiply combined to form an overall system and in turn aligned to a common mirror (rough tracking). The grating may be dielectric as well as optical in nature to allow for spectral coupling.

It has been shown that the laser systems or units can be placed directly next to each other or at a distance from each other. Distances of several 100 meters are no problem. In addition to the actual laser source, each laser system has its own telescope and preferably its own tracker.

The aim of this idea is for the laser system or the laser weapon to distribute the total aperture instead of a single aperture of large diameter on several smaller apertures, which then usually contain the same components.

The key components for the functional operation of the laser system, in particular as a laser weapon or weapons laser are a reconnaissance system, such as a radar, a fine imaging to clear the vulnerable point of the target, a coarse and a fine tracker, a beam shaping, a laser illumination and the actual high-energy laser - the laser source , Each of the smaller units has these components, and the illumination laser, radar, and fine-imaging need not necessarily be present in each unit. A decentralized integration of the illumination laser, radar, fine imaging for all units is also possible. This allows a modular character of the units with which the system / weapon can be modularly constructed. Two or more units can be combined into one module. These modules are also summarized to other modules.

These smaller units can, as already mentioned, in turn be replaced by smaller units with the aforementioned components (= several). This makes it possible to resort to ever simpler and more conventional and thus readily available components. The flexibility of the system / weapon is increased. In addition, the modules themselves are in principle small-sized or lighter than a compact weapon. If a smaller unit fails, the system / weapon will continue to function, albeit at a lower power.

Since the units can also be accommodated at a distance from one another, they can be distributed to several locations, including, for example, several vehicles etc. These units can also be locally linked to a high-power laser system by aligning with the destination. The performance on site can also be varied by the number of facilities. Thus, with a plurality of conventional single lasers, for example with a power of only 5 kW, a beam of a multiple of 5, for example 20 kW and more can be generated. The creation of a laser beam with a power of 100 kW and more with good beam quality of the single laser is thereby realized in a simple manner.

The present idea, in addition to shortening the implementation time for a laser weapon, also allows the cost to be reduced since smaller (output) apertures can be used. The idea is not limited to high-performance laser systems. Rather, this idea can also be transferred to low-energy lasers and medium-energy lasers.

With the present idea, therefore, one goes away from, in particular, to generate the high power by means of n × X single laser from only one aperture and to provide it selectively. It is proposed to superimpose the power on the object variable distances of the (single) telescopes of the laser system.

Reference to an embodiment with drawing, the invention will be explained in more detail.

It shows:

1 a sketch of the basic principle of the device for creating a laser with sufficient power,

2 another form of linking several individual lasers into a total or partial laser system,

3 the basic components for a weapon system,

4 a representation of a laser weapon for the weapon system according to 3 , (HEL only, AO, tracking, it lacks fine imaging, grobrtacking, radar, rating fire control)

5 a basic presentation of the basic idea.

1a , b show a simplified representation of the basic principle of the device 1 for the realization of a (high-power) laser. - It is understood that this device 1 can also be used for material processing, for example, at a greater distance, in which also moves the object. - This is the laser 1 through two single lasers 2 . 3 or more individual lasers 4 - 7 educated. The Rays 50 the single laser 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 be on a goal 15 projected and geometrically superimposed on it, so that at the finish 15 a laser power of, for example, 40 kW by two lasers 2 . 3 with a power of 20 kW each or through four lasers 4 - 7 with a power of 10 kW etc. is generated.

The single laser 2 - 7 may in turn also consist of two or more individual lasers 8th . 9 . 10 . 11 be built up ( 2 ). The from a preamp 12 emerging rays (for example, 5 kW) are reflected by mirrors 32 and from there to a common grid 13 directed. From the grid 13 that will be at the grid 13 generated beam 50 towards the goal 15 radiated.

Using this basic principle, now becomes a laser weapon or a weapon system 100 created. The weapon system 100 himself points in addition to a fire control 101 and a radar 102 , a review or evaluation 103 as well as two or more laser weapons 20 on. Furthermore, a preferably central rough tracker 104 provided that a Groborientierung the individual weapon laser 20 on the target / object 15 causes.

The single weapon laser 20 consists in turn of at least the basic components (active) laser 21 and own (receiving and active) telescope 25 (also with different beam diameters) and in this version with its own illumination telescope 26 and a lighting laser 27 , Alternatively, an illumination laser with telescope can also be arranged decentrally for all in the weapon system 100 integrated laser weapons 20 act. In addition, each has gun laser 20 an adaptive optics 22 , a (fine) imaging system 23 as well as an optical fine tracker 24 on. Every weapon laser 20 also has at least one tip-tilt mirror 28 as well as a deformable mirror 29 (eg part of the adaptive optics 22 ) integrated in the laser beam path. A wavefront sensor 30 serves in a known manner to improve the beam quality of the Wirklasers 21 , Not shown are further CCD camera (s), preferably with a large field-of-view (FOV). An evaluation and control unit 31 completes the laser weapon 20 , The functional linkages of said components can be the 3 be removed.

To create a dormant laser weapon 20 are more mirrors 32 involved in the beam alignment within the weapon 20 serve.

The functioning of the weapon system 100 is, simply described, as follows:
About the radar 102 becomes an object 15 recognized and this information in a known manner to the fire control 101 given. After that, the imaging system can 6 be activated to provide sufficient information to combat at the vulnerable points at the target 15 to obtain. About the fine tracking 7 becomes the goal 15 for every weapon 20 driven in the middle of their appearance. The goal 15 is now the illumination laser 27 every weapon 20 illuminated, the respective active laser 21 and with it every laser weapon 20 aligned with the reflex. All laser weapons 20 see the same reflex and laser beam axes are now on the same spot on the object 15 aligned. The check is carried out by the fire control, which then also the active laser 21 activated, several rays 50 generated and to a common point on the object 15 is steered, which then overlap at this point so that the desired power density on the object 15 is generated and this bothers and / or destroyed accordingly.

The laser beam of each laser weapon (system) 20 is subject to its own atmospheric disturbance. However, this can be done by your own tip-tilt mirror 28 and if necessary by its own deformable mirror 29 be corrected, so that a clean overlay of the rays 50 the laser weapons 20 at the Finish 15 is reached.

Become multiple illumination lasers and multiple laser weapons 20 on a goal 15 aligned, the separation of the laser power to different targets 15 possible. For a certain duration, the individual laser weapons 20 on a goal 15 directed. After that, some of the laser weapons can 20 prematurely deducted to a new target and by the, these laser weapons (group) 20 appealing illumination laser can be aligned.

To distinguish the individual illumination lasers, these can be radiated with different wavelengths or modulation (on / off, AM). In the evaluation system for the illumination laser then appropriate separation technologies are used to differentiate the individual illumination laser from each other.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19804720 B4 [0003]
• DE 10252685 B4 [0004]
• EP 0980123 A2 [0005]
• EP 1041686 A2 [0005]
• US 4867534 A [0005]
• EP 1730822 B [0006]
• DE 102007049436 B4 [0008]

Claims (10)

Contraption ( 1 ) for creating a laser, characterized in that two or more individual lasers ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 10 . 11 ) each a single beam ( 50 ) and the individual beams ( 50 ) the single laser ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 10 . 11 ) to a destination ( 15 ) are projected and geometrically superimposed on it so that they sum up the desired performance at the destination ( 15 ) realized. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that using a lighting system (illumination laser, telescope, evaluation, tip tilt mirror), which marks the object to be irradiated area in which the power density is to be concentrated. Weapon system ( 100 ) incorporating the device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one fire line ( 101 ), at least one radar ( 102 ), at least one loading or evaluation unit ( 103 ) and two or more weapon lasers ( 20 ), which may also be spaced from each other. Weapon system according to claim 3, characterized in that the weapon lasers ( 20 ) at least via a host fiber ( 21 ) and its own look ( 25 ). Weapon system according to claim 4, characterized in that an adaptive optics ( 22 ), an imaging system ( 23 ) as well as an optical fine tracker ( 24 ) in the weapon system ( 100 ) centrally or in the weapon lasers ( 20 ) available. Weapon system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the optics ( 25 ), for example a telescope, may have different beam diameters. Weapon system according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each weapon laser ( 20 ) a lighting telescope ( 26 ) and a illumination laser ( 27 Alternatively, an illumination laser with telescope can also be arranged decentrally or centrally and for all in the weapon system (FIG. 100 ) integrated weapon laser ( 20 ) acts. Method for creating a laser power, characterized in that two or more individual beams ( 50 ) and this on a target ( 15 ), the beams ( 50 ) to the target ( 15 ), that the rays ( 50 ) in one point, spot or area at the destination ( 15 ) overlay geometrically. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the individual beams ( 50 ) are created by a geometric or spectral or phase coupling. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that several outside a weapon laser ( 20 ) arranged illumination laser and several weapons laser ( 20 ) one or more weapons systems ( 100 ) on the target ( 15 ), whereby some of the weapon lasers ( 20 ) deducted prematurely to a new target and by the, these laser weapons ( 20 ) are aligned with attractive illumination lasers.

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