Method and apparatus for the coherent addition of the emissions from semiconductor lasers

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for the coherent addition of the emissions from semiconductor lasers, in particular for use in telecommunications is described. The basic idea underlying the invention, is to couple the individual emitters, each emitter by a certain extent feels something from the emission of all others. Instead of letting all the emitter radiation-independent, they are arranged in a common resonator (3). With the help of optimization methods, such as the method of simulated annealing, the shape of the resonator is so optimized until they optimally meets a prescribed set of mathematically formulated demands in terms of a set criterion. The method is essentially based on the following columns: The individual emitters in the form of individual diodes, diode matrix or diode bars (2) are provided between two or more mirrors (1). At least one of these mirrors (1) has a special, non-spherical surface as an internal correction element. Alternatively, the mirror (1) may be spherically shaped. In this case, however, at least one non-spherical phase plate must be placed in Resonatorstrahlengang. Outside the resonator (3) a further system of a generator and a secondary beam shaper the emitted beam into the desired amplitude / phase distribution and power density (5) transforms. The internal correction elements are a global ...