Study on mechanisms of thermally induced combining performance degradation in two-stage cascaded segmented-mirror-splitters coherent combining systems

Qiu Liyun; Wen Jing; Feng Xi; Chen Hong; Lin Honghuan; Li Wei

doi:10.11884/HPLPB202638.260049

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Qiu Liyun, Wen Jing, Feng Xi, et al. Study on mechanisms of thermally induced combining performance degradation in two-stage cascaded segmented-mirror-splitters coherent combining systems[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.260049

Citation:

Qiu Liyun, Wen Jing, Feng Xi, et al. Study on mechanisms of thermally induced combining performance degradation in two-stage cascaded segmented-mirror-splitters coherent combining systems[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.260049

Citation:

Qiu Liyun, Wen Jing, Feng Xi, et al. Study on mechanisms of thermally induced combining performance degradation in two-stage cascaded segmented-mirror-splitters coherent combining systems[J]. High Power Laser and Particle Beams. doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.260049

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Study on mechanisms of thermally induced combining performance degradation in two-stage cascaded segmented-mirror-splitters coherent combining systems

doi: 10.11884/HPLPB202638.260049

Qiu Liyun^1
,,
Wen Jing²,
Feng Xi²,
Chen Hong¹,
Lin Honghuan²,
Li Wei^{1
,
,}

1.
Institute of Laser and Micro/Nano Engineering, College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
2.
Laser Fusion Research Center, CAEP, Mianyang 621900, China

Received Date: 2026-02-12
Accepted Date: 2026-03-12
Rev Recd Date: 2026-03-18

Available Online: 2026-04-13

Abstract

Abstract

Background
In high-power coherent beam combining systems based on segmented-mirror-splitters (SMS), thermal effects arising from parasitic absorption in optical components are a critical factor that limits steady-state combining performance.
Purpose
To address the limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying thermally induced performance degradation in high-power two-stage cascaded SMS systems,
Methods
we established a 28-channel optical-thermal-mechanical multi-physics coupling model using the finite element method. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze the thermally induced wavefront distortion and the sequential coherent superposition of multiple beams within the zig-zag optical path.
Results
The results indicate that the accumulation of laser power along the combining direction leads to a significantly higher thermal load on the second-stage segmented mirror than on the first stage. Consequently, an asymmetric temperature gradient induces substantial beam quality degradation along the combining direction.
Conclusions
Furthermore, parametric optimization demonstrates that reducing the substrate thickness can effectively suppress thermal distortion, thereby enhancing combining efficiency and improving beam quality. Meanwhile, although increasing the sub-beam spacing reduces thermal effects and enhances combined power, it simultaneously intensifies the anisotropic beam quality degradation.
- coherent beam combining,
- segmented-mirror-splitters,
- thermal effect,
- combining efficiency,
- beam quality

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References(29)

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