Importance

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Abstract

A polarized light coherent combining laser apparatus comprises a plurality of units, each of which is constituted of a polarizing element and a phase difference plate. A phase difference and an angle of inclination of principal axes of the phase difference plate of each unit is set so as to satisfy specific conditions in accordance with the intensity ratio between an S-polarized laser beam and a P-polarized laser beam, which impinge upon each unit. The P-and S-polarized laser beams impinging upon each unit are combined with each other by the polarizing element. The plane of polarization of the combined laser beam is rotated by the phase difference plate, and the resulting laser beam impinges upon the next unit. The laser beam having been radiated out of the last unit passes through an analyzer, is reflected by a reflecting surface of a radiating mirror, and again impinges upon each unit. The laser beams having again impinged upon the units are then reflected by mirror surfaces of amplifying media. The laser beams are thus repeatedly reflected between the mirror surfaces of the amplifying media and the reflecting surface of the radiating mirror, and the P- and S-polarized laser beams are thereby combined coherently.

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First Claim