Genetic Algorithm Reconstruction of Coherent Combination-Based Programmable Structured Light

Coherent combination has been repeatedly studied and used as a method toward high average power or high peak power applications[1]. However, their use in created programmable structured fields akin to programmable mirrors or spatial light modulators has, to date, been under developed. We present a set of tools useful in the modeling and structuring of coherent combination systems in the regimes of linear optics propagation[2,3]. Among these tools are a genetic algorithm which can be used to reconstruct coherent combination system parameters based on single shot intensity images or inform possible combination avenues based on desired profiles. We test these tools on a 7 beam combining system with greater than 0.1 radian accuracy on phase differences between all beams in the setup. Lastly we discuss the applicability of theis method to the reconstruction of mixed polarization setups with non-trivial vector field maps.
1. Müller, Michael, et al. "10.4 kW coherently combined ultrafast fiber laser." Optics Letters 45.11 (2020): 3083-3086.
2. Lemons, Randy, and Sergio Carbajo. "Reconstruction and Optimization of Coherent Synthesis by Fourier Optics Based Genetic Algorithm." arXiv preprint arXiv:2005.13671 (2020).