Raytheon Company

Robert F Stiffler

Joe Anthony Ortiz

James Lazar

Michael S Lackey

Philip C Todd

Thomas H Alford

David M Filgas

A high-power laser system includes a plurality of cascaded diode drivers, a pump source, and a laser element. The diode drivers are configured to generate a continuous driver signal. The pump source is configured to generate radiated energy in response to the continuous driver signal. The laser element is disposed downstream from the pump source and is configured to generate a laser beam in response to stimulation via the radiated energy. The high-power laser system further includes an electronic controller configured to output at least one driver signal that operates the plurality of diode drivers at a fixed frequency. The at least one driver signal operates a first cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers 90 degrees out of phase with respect to a second cascade diode driver among the plurality of diode drivers.

Laser diode driver with variable input voltage and variable diode string voltage

A multi-stage laser drive circuit includes a variable common potential source, a PA light-emitting array between a storage capacitor and a current node, first and second low-side linear current sinks in electrical communication with the current node, and a second master oscillator (MO) light-emitting array in electrical communication between the current node and the first low side linear current sink. A trickle current circuit drives a low-value trickle current through the arrays, and a sense circuit senses the trickle current. Also, the headroom voltage across a pass element in the first low-side linear constant current sink is monitored and adjusted for maximum efficiency.

Apparatus and method for driving laser diode arrays with high-power pulsed currents using low-side linear drive with laser diode array protection and power efficiency monitoring and adjustment

Provided are assemblies and processes for activating light emitting devices. A first current sink is in electrical communication with a common source through a current node and configured to draw a first current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. A second current sink is also provided in electrical communication with the current node and in parallel with the first current sink, also configured to draw a second current through the current node in response to a respective control signal. An aggregate current is drawn through the array, determined as a combination of the first and second currents. A commanded current from the first current sink can be shunted around the second array and the second current sink, providing a capability to series both the first and second laser diode light-emitting arrays, while simultaneously drawing different current amplitudes through each array from a common potential source.

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Lakewood, CA, United States of America

Robert F Stiffler