Model of a multichannel laser system and influence of distortions on quality of radiation

Generation of high-power laser radiation is frequently performed with the use of multichannel optical systems with coherently-combined channels. Channels usually include amplifiers and phase control units phase shifts in which are obtained with optic-electric effects, nonlinear optical interaction of radiation, or with piezoelements. In the paper the results of simulation are presented of multichannel laser radiation propagation under conditions of free diffraction. Influence of distortions developed in channels on effectiveness of energy transfer is also considered. It was shown that with increase of channel number the influence of random tilts and piston-type aberration decreased.