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Laser Powered Launch Vehicle Performance Analyses
The purpose of this study is to establish the technical ground for modeling the physics of laser powered pulse detonation phenomenon. Laser powered propulsion systems involve complex fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and radiative transfer processes. Successful predictions of the performance of laser powered launch vehicle concepts depend on the sophisticate models that reflects the underlying flow physics including the laser ray tracing the focusing, inverse Bremsstrahlung (IB) effects, finite-rate air chemistry, thermal non-equilibrium, plasma radiation and detonation wave propagation, etc. The proposed work will extend the base-line numerical model to an efficient design analysis tool. The proposed model is suitable for 3-D analysis using parallel computing methods.
Lunar Laser Tests of Gravitational Physics
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A database for solid-state laser, optical, and nonlinear materials
The database contains the physical properties of laser, optical, and nonlinear materials used by the laser models of a laser-modeling software system. The database is subdivided into two parts: spectra and tabulated data. The spectra are ASCII files of laser-material's absorption and emission spectra, and laser-diode's emission spectra. The tabulated data contains physical properties of laser, optical, and nonlinear materials, including crystalline, thermal, and mechanical properties. A menu-driven interface allows the execution from a personal directory where the user can store files containing input parameters for a specific model or the results of model's calculations.
Application of Phase Shifted, Laser Feedback Interferometry to Fluid Physics
We have combined the principles of phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) and laser-feedback interferometry (LFI) to produce a new instrument that can measure both optical path length (OPL) changes and discern sample reflectivity variations. In LFI, coherent feedback of the incident light either reflected directly from a surface or reflected after transmission through a region of interest will modulate the output intensity of the laser. LFI can yield a high signal-to-noise ratio even for low reflectivity samples. By combining PSI and LFI, we have produced a robust instrument, based upon a HeNe laser, with high dynamic range that can be used to measure either static (dc) or oscillatory changes along the optical path. As with other forms of interferometry, large changes in OPL require phase unwrapping. Conversely, small phase changes are limited by the fraction of a fringe that can be measured. We introduce the phase shifts with an electro-optic modulator (EOM) and use either the Carre or Hariharan algorithms to determine the phase and visibility. We have determined the accuracy and precision of our technique by measuring both the bending of a cantilevered piezoelectric bimorph and linear ramps to the EOM. Using PSI, sub-nanometer displacements can be measured. We have combined our interferometer with a commercial microscope and scanning piezoelectric stage and have measured the variation in OPL and visibility for drops of PDMS (silicone oil) on coated single crystal silicon. Our measurement of the static contact angle agrees with the value of 68 deg stated in the literature.
Investigation of laser properties relevant to the measurement of different physical parameters Informal status progress report
Laser properties relevant to measuring physical parameters
An airborne laser polarimeter system (ALPS) for terrestrial physics research
The design of a multispectral polarized laser system for characterizing the depolarization properties of the earth's surface is described. Using a laser as the light source, this airborne system measures the Stokes parameters of the surface to simultaneously arrive at the polarization degree, azimuthal angle, and ellipticity for each wavelength. The technology will be studied for the feasibility of expansion of the sensor to do surface polarization imaging. The data will be used in support of solar polarization studies and to develop laser radiometry as a tool in environmental remote sensing.
Laser Lightcraft Performance
The purpose of this study is to establish the technical ground for modeling the physics of laser powered pulse detonation phenomenon. The principle of the laser power propulsion is that when high-powered laser is focused at a small area near the surface of a thruster, the intense energy causes the electrical breakdown of the working fluid (e.g. air) and forming high speed plasma (known as the inverse Bremsstrahlung, IB, effect). The intense heat and high pressure created in the plasma consequently causes the surrounding to heat up and expand until the thrust producing shock waves are formed. This complex process of gas ionization, increase in radiation absorption and the forming of plasma and shock waves will be investigated in the development of the present numerical model. In the first phase of this study, laser light focusing, radiation absorption and shock wave propagation over the entire pulsed cycle are modeled. The model geometry and test conditions of known benchmark experiments such as those in Myrabo's experiment will be employed in the numerical model validation simulations. The calculated performance data will be compared to the test data.
ORION Low Cost Laser Analysis
We show that laser-target interaction physics demands the shortest laser pulse of which hardware is capable (but not less than 100 ps) in the ORION ground-based laser concept. We compare two leading ways to achieve such pulses - SRS/SBS cascade compression and grating compression - with the standard MOPA approach, and conclude that the first of these is most robust. However, the state of the art in laser devices will require a year or two to implement these ideas. We present a pulse format and beam footprint protocol which will solve the conflict between relativistic lookahead and beam tilt and should permit all-laser active acquisition and tracking in ORION.
LightForce: An Update on Orbital Collision Avoidance Using Photon Pressure
We present an update on our research on collision avoidance using photon-pressure induced by ground-based lasers. In the past, we have shown the general feasibility of employing small orbit perturbations, induced by photon pressure from ground-based laser illumination, for collision avoidance in space. Possible applications would be protecting space assets from impacts with debris and stabilizing the orbital debris environment. Focusing on collision avoidance rather than de-orbit, the scheme avoids some of the security and liability implications of active debris removal, and requires less sophisticated hardware than laser ablation. In earlier research we concluded that one ground based system consisting of a 10 kW class laser, directed by a 1.5 m telescope with adaptive optics, could avoid a significant fraction of debris-debris collisions in low Earth orbit. This paper describes our recent efforts, which include refining our original analysis, employing higher fidelity simulations and performing experimental tracking tests. We investigate the efficacy of one or more laser ground stations for debris-debris collision avoidance and satellite protection using simulations to investigate multiple case studies. The approach includes modeling of laser beam propagation through the atmosphere, the debris environment (including actual trajectories and physical parameters), laser facility operations, and simulations of the resulting photon pressure. We also present the results of experimental laser debris tracking tests. These tests track potential targets of a first technical demonstration and quantify the achievable tracking performance.
Physics of a ballistic missile defense - The chemical laser boost-phase defense
The basic physics involved in proposals to use a chemical laser based on satellites for a boost-phase defense are investigated. After a brief consideration of simple physical conditions for the defense, a calculation of an equation for the number of satellites needed for the defense is made along with some typical values of this for possible future conditions for the defense. Basic energy and power requirements for the defense are determined. A sumary is made of probable minimum conditions that must be achieved for laser power, targeting accuracy, number of satellites, and total sources for power needed.
Physics through the 1990s: Atomic, molecular and optical physics
The volume presents a program of research initiatives in atomic, molecular, and optical physics. The current state of atomic, molecular, and optical physics in the US is examined with respect to demographics, education patterns, applications, and the US economy. Recommendations are made for each field, with discussions of their histories and the relevance of the research to government agencies. The section on atomic physics includes atomic theory, structure, and dynamics; accelerator-based atomic physics; and large facilities. The section on molecular physics includes spectroscopy, scattering theory and experiment, and the dynamics of chemical reactions. The section on optical physics discusses lasers, laser spectroscopy, and quantum optics and coherence. A section elucidates interfaces between the three fields and astrophysics, condensed matter physics, surface science, plasma physics, atmospheric physics, and nuclear physics. Another section shows applications of the three fields in ultra-precise measurements, fusion, national security, materials, medicine, and other topics.
Laser Induced Aluminum Surface Breakdown Model
Laser powered propulsion systems involve complex fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and radiative transfer processes. Based on an unstructured grid, pressure-based computational aerothermodynamics; platform, several sub-models describing such underlying physics as laser ray tracing and focusing, thermal non-equilibrium, plasma radiation and air spark ignition have been developed. This proposed work shall extend the numerical platform and existing sub-models to include the aluminum wall surface Inverse Bremsstrahlung (IB) effect from which surface ablation and free-electron generation can be initiated without relying on the air spark ignition sub-model. The following tasks will be performed to accomplish the research objectives.
Laser Induced Aluminum Surface Breakdown Model
Laser powered propulsion systems involve complex fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and radiative transfer processes. Based on an unstructured grid., pressure-based computational aerothermodynamics, platform, several sub-nio"'dels describing such underlying physics as laser ray tracing and focusing, thermal non-equilibrium, plasma radiation and air spark ignition have been developed. This proposed work shall extend the numerical platform and existing sub-models to include the aluminum wall surface Inverse Bremsstrahlung (113) effect from which surface ablation and free-electron generation can be initiated without relying on the air spark ignition sub-model. The following tasks will be performed to accomplish the research objectives.
Application of laser anemometry to turbomachinery flow field measurements
The application of laser anemometry to the measurement of turbomachinery flow fields is reviewed. Choices of optical configuration, seed particle generation, and seed injection techniques are discussed. The modification of experimental facilities to gain optical access is considered. The efficiency of data acquisition schemes is analyzed and issues related to data integrity and error estimation are addressed. Data reduction and analysis techniques for extracting and understanding the flow physics from laser anemometer measurements are presented.
A comparison of the physics of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Electron Beam Welding (EBW), and Laser Beam Welding (LBW)
The physics governing the applicability and limitations of gas tungsten arc (GTA), electron beam (EB), and laser beam (LB) welding are compared. An appendix on the selection of laser welding systems is included.
Ultrafast Modulation and Switching of Quantum-Well Lasers using Terahertz Fields
Modulation and switching of semiconductor lasers are important for laser-based information technology. Typically the speed of modulation and switching is limited by interband processes such as stimulated and spontaneous recombinations which occur on a nanosecond time scale. This is why the diode laser modulation has been restricted to tens of GHz. Modulation at higher speed is highly desirable as the information technology enters into the so-called tera-era. In this paper, we study the possibility of utilizing THz-field-induced plasma heating to modulate quantum-well lasers. This is a timely study since, with the advancement of THz solid-state sources and free-electron lasers, THz physics and related technology is currently coming out of its infancy. The investigation of interplaying THz and optical fields is also of intruiging fundamental interest. First, we introduce theoretical plasma heating results for the quantum-well optical amplifier in the presense of an intense half-cycle THz pulse. The heated carrier distributions are then utilized to calculate the THz-pulse-induced change in refractive index and gain profile. Since the electron-hole-plasma is heated using intraband transitions, we circumvent the usual complications due to an overall change in density, and the nonlinear recovery is governed solely by the carrier-LO-phonon interactions, typically 5 ps for a complete recovery. This procedure implies THz and sub-THz switching and recovery rates, respectively; using either gain modulation or index modulation. Plasma heating via steady-state THz fields is also studied. Finally, numerical simulation of a coupled set of equations to investigate the THz modulation based on a simplified model for quantum-well lasers is presented. Our results show that a semiconductor laser can be modulated at up to 1 THz with little distortion with a THz field amplitude at the order of a few kV/cm. Laser responses to a change in THz frequency will be shown. Constraints, practicalities, and applications will be discussed.
Investigation of laser properties relevant to the measurement of different physical parameters Semiannual status report, 1 Mar. - 1 Sep. 1965
Laser properties relevant to measurement of physical parameters - mapping vibrating surface, frequency response of transducer, sensitive level, pressure determination, and holograms