The Semiconductor Diode Laser Group, led by Dr. Yehuda Braiman, are studying how to coherently phase- and frequency-lock coupled arrays of semiconductor diode lasers for coherent beam combining. Beam combining is required for a wide variety of applications, including directed energy, optical communications, optical sensing, and many others. The output power of a single diode laser is often insufficient for many applications, therefore coherently phase-locking and beam-combining diode laser arrays may be of merit. Since diode lasers are inherently nonlinear, achieving synchronization in large arrays of coupled nonlinear lasers remains a significant and not yet entirely resolved challenge. We investigate diode laser arrays operating at a range of wavelengths, including the near-infrared and blue spectral regions, using both single-mode and broad-area emitters. In addition, we study the effects of parameter heterogeneity on the phase-locking performance of diode laser arrays, with a particular emphasis on disorder-promoted synchronization.

Link to application: https://ucf.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/Orlando-FL-Main-Campus/Assistant-Scientist--Associate-Scientist--or-Scholar-Scientist-in-Optics-and-Photonics_R113782