Phased array of phased arrays (PAPA) laser systems architecture

This paper introduces and analyzes a revolutionary laser system architecture capable of dramatically reducing the complexity of laser systems while simultaneously increasing capability. The architecture includes 3 major subsystems. The first is a phased array of laser sources. In this paper we discuss diode-pumped fiber lasers as the elements of the phased array, although other waveguide lasers can also be considered. The second provides wavefront control and electronic beam steering. The third is subaperture receiver technology. Combining these three technologies into a new laser systems architecture results in a system that has graceful degradation, can steer to as wide an angle as individual optical phased array sub-apertures, and can be scaled to high power and large apertures through phasing of a number of sub-apertures.