Fig. 1. Schematic of laser incoherent space beam combining with a rectangular spot. (a) Changes in the space position of 18 laser beams; (b) Changes in the space position of two adjacent laser spots

Fig. 2. Variation between the beam propagation distance and the overlapping rate of the combined laser spot. (a) r=0, θ_c=10.0 mrad, different values of d; (b) θ_c=10.0 mrad, d=12 mm, different values of r; (c) r=3.5 mm, θ_c=14.8 mrad, d=12 mm

Fig. 3. Structural model of the beam combiner structure. (a) Collimation unit-XZ plane; (b) Combining unit-XZ plane; (c) Combining unit-YZ plane

Fig. 4. Spot energy simulation distribution of combined laser beam. (a) Δl=−150 mm; (b) Δl=−105 mm; (c) Δl=−100 mm; (d) Δl=−50 mm; (e) Δl=0 mm; (f) Δl=+50 mm; (g) Δl=+100 mm; (h) Δl=+105 mm; (i) Δl=+150 mm

Fig. 5. Photos of 18×1 laser incoherent space beam combiner. (a) Engineering three-dimensional design drawing; (b) Engineering design drawing Y-Z axis section; (c) Photo of the fiber connection end face of the combiner; (d) Overall photo of the combiner

Fig. 6. Hole morphology of the combined laser perforated steel plate sample along the combined beam direction. (a) Δl=−150 mm; (b) Δl=−105 mm; (c) Δl=−100 mm; (d) Δl=−50 mm; (e) Δl=0 mm; (f) Δl=+50 mm; (g) Δl=+100 mm; (h) Δl=+105 mm; (i) Δl=+150 mm

Fig. 7. Variation between the beam combining power and the pump current

Fig. 8. Laser spectrum before and after beam combination. (a) 18 laser beam independent spectrum superposition; Combined beam laser spectroscopy with (b) Δl=−100 mm; (c) Δl=−50 mm; (d) Δl=0 mm; (e) Δl=+50 mm; (f) Δl=+100 mm