Heterogeneous decomposition of ammonium perchlorate-catalyst mixtures using pulsed laser mass spectrometry.
Pulsed ruby laser mass spectrometry technique for flash pyrolysis of ammonium perchlorate-catalyst mixtures
Pellett, G. L.↗
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Heterogeneous NH4ClO4 decomposition using isothermal and pulsed laser mass spectrometry
Pulsed ruby laser mass spectrometry technique for flash pyrolysis of ammonium perchlorate-catalyst mixtures
Pellett, G. L.↗
Pulse laser ranging development
Pulsed ruby laser ranging system for Apollo 11 lunar exploration system
Johnson, T. S.↗
Response of silicon solar cell to pulsed laser illumination
The response of silicon solar cell(s) to pulsed laser illumination is discussed. The motivation was due to the interest of Earth to space/Moon power beaming applications. When this work began, it was not known if solar cells would respond to laser light with pulse lengths in the nanosecond range and a repetition frequency in the kHz range. This is because the laser pulse would be shorter than the minority carrier lifetime of silicon. A 20-nanosecond (ns) full width half max (FWHM) pulse from an aluminum-gallium/arsenide (Al-Ga-As) diode laser was used to illuminate silicon solar cells at a wavelength of 885 nanometers (nm). Using a high-speed digital oscilloscope, the response of the solar cells to individual pulses across various resistive loads was observed and recorded.
Willowby, D.↗
Effects of non-equilibrium ionization and excitation on radiation absorption in plasma plumes induced by ablation of metal targets with nanosecond laser pulses
Ionization and radiation absorption in nanosecond laser-induced plasma plumes are routinely modeled using the Saha–Boltzmann equilibrium ionization model (EQM). However, the equilibrium assumption can be inaccurate during the laser pulse when non-equilibrium effects significantly impact radiation absorption. In the present work, the EQM and non-equilibrium collisional-radiative model (CRM) are compared to reveal the effect of plasma non-equilibrium on radiation absorption in non-homogeneous plumes and degree of plasma shielding. Simulations of plume expansion induced by irradiation of a copper target in 1 atm argon background gas with a 10 ns Gaussian pulse at a fluence from 8 Jcm −2 to 14 Jcm −2 are performed with a hybrid computational model that couples a lumped particle direct simulation Monte Carlo method with either CRM or EQM. The simulations show that the EQM strongly underestimates the effects of ionization and radiation absorption compared to CRM and, contrary to the CRM, predict strong ionization of the background gas. The differences between the models are explained by the qualitatively different coupling between plume expansion and dynamics of ionization and exitation processes in the CRM and EQM under conditions when the characteristic times for most radiation- and electron-induced processes are longer than the pulse duration. The CRM-based predictions are also found to agree much better with available experimental data. In conclusion, these results indicate that the model of Saha–Boltzmann equilibrium cannot be used for reliable prediction of the degree of plasma shielding in plumes induced by nanosecond laser pulses or for processing results of spectroscopic measurements at early stages of expansion of such plumes.
Physics - Plasma physics↗
Bi-static and mono-static synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging using a short-pulse laser
SAR imaging may be performed using a short-pulse laser to generate range-resolved reflection data. A short-pulse laser may be advantageous over other techniques to acquire the range-resolved data, especially in cases with very distant targets or other cases with low signal-to-noise ratio information, because a short-pulse laser can determine the range to individual reflectors with a single photon return and is more adaptable to a photon-starved inversion algorithm. This technique can be used with both mono-static and bi-static SAR configurations.
Carlsten, Bruce E.↗
Fiber Optic Cables for Transmission of High-Power Laser Pulses in Spaceflight Applications
Lasers with high peak power pulses are commonly used in spaceflight missions for a wide range of applications, from LIDAR systems to optical communications. Due to the high optical power needed, the laser has to be located on the exterior of the satellite or coupled through a series of free space optics. This presents challenges for thermal management, radiation resistance, and mechanical design. Future applications will require multiple lasers located close together, which further complicates the design. Coupling the laser energy into a fiber optic cable allows the laser to be relocated to a more favorable position on the spacecraft. Typical fiber optic termination procedures are not sufficient for injection of these high-power laser pulses without catastrophic damage to the fiber endface. In the current study, we will review the causes of fiber damage during high-power injection and discuss our new manufacturing procedures that overcome these issues to permit fiber use with high reliability in these applications. We will also discuss the proper methods for launching the laser pulses into the fiber to avoid damage and how this is being implemented for current spaceflight missions.
Thomes, W. J., Jr.↗
Demonstration of full-scale spatiotemporal diagnostics of solid-density plasmas driven by an ultra-short relativistic laser pulse using an X-ray free-electron laser
Understanding the complex plasma dynamics in ultra-intense relativistic laser–solid interactions is of fundamental importance for applications of laser–plasma-based particle accelerators, the creation of high-energy-density matter, understanding planetary science, and laser-driven fusion energy. However, experimental efforts in this regime have been limited by the lack of accessibility of over-critical densities and the poor spatiotemporal resolution of conventional diagnostics. Over the last decade, the advent of femtosecond brilliant hard X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has opened new horizons to overcome these limitations. Here, for the first time, we present full-scale spatiotemporal measurements of solid-density plasma dynamics, including preplasma generation with tens of nanometer scale length driven by the leading edge of a relativistic laser pulse, ultrafast heating and ionization at the main pulse arrival, the laser-driven blast wave, and transient surface return current-induced compression dynamics up to hundreds of picoseconds after interaction. These observations are enabled by utilizing a novel combination of advanced X-ray diagnostics including small-angle X-ray scattering, resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy, and propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging simultaneously at the European XFEL-HED beamline station.
Huang, Lingen [Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendor↗
New methods of generation of ultrashort laser pulses for ranging
To reach the millimeter satellite laser ranging accuracy, the goal for nineties, new laser ranging techniques have to be applied. To increase the laser ranging precision, the application of the ultrashort laser pulses in connection with the new signal detection and processing techniques, is inevitable. The two wavelength laser ranging is one of the ways to measure the atmospheric dispersion to improve the existing atmospheric correction models and hence, to increase the overall system ranging accuracy to the desired value. We are presenting a review of several nonstandard techniques of ultrashort laser pulses generation, which may be utilized for laser ranging: compression of the nanosecond pulses using stimulated Brillouin and Raman backscattering; compression of the mode-locked pulses using Raman backscattering; passive mode-locking technique with nonlinear mirror; and passive mode-locking technique with the negative feedback.
Jelinkova, Helena↗
Nonlinear Thomson scattering of a tightly focused relativistically intense laser pulse by an ensemble of particles
We report a study of the process of nonlinear Thomson scattering (NTS) of a tightly focused relativistically intense laser pulse by an ensemble of electrons simulating the result of ionisation of an ultrathin nanofoil. The description of all six components of a laser pulse is based on the Stratton – Chu integrals describing radiation focused by an off-axis parabolic mirror into a spot down to the diffraction limit, which is of practical interest for modern experiments with extreme-intensity lasers, including diagnostics of their parameters. The interaction of a laser pulse with electrons is simulated by the test-particle method, and the resulting trajectories are used to calculate the characteristics of secondary electromagnetic radiation. The effect of the laser-pulse focal spot diameter in the range λ – 6λ on the angular distributions of the radiated energy and NTS spectra, as well as of a laser-beam peak intensity of 10{sup 21} – 10{sup 22} W cm{sup −2} on the spectral width of the secondary radiation is studied in relation to the experimentally implemented focusing scheme using the example of a laser pulse with an initial homogeneous spatial distribution and a duration of ∼25 fs. (interaction of laser radiation with matter. laser plasma)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Rapid retrieval of first-order spatiotemporal distortions for ultrashort laser pulses
High-intensity, ultrashort laser sources are a foundational pillar for High-Energy-Density (HED) physics, and as the repetition-rates of these systems increase, diagnostics must be developed to match their data collection speed. Characterization of any spatiotemporal distortions in the laser pulse is necessary in order to standardize results across facilities. Here, we have previously developed a laser diagnostic called Spatially and Temporally Resolved Intensity and Phase Evaluation Device: Full Information from a Single Hologram, or STRIPED FISH, to measure the full spatiotemporal laser electric field on a single shot. In order to provide rapid feedback, we here adapt the STRIPED FISH retrieval algorithm, which typically has computation times of up to 30 minutes due to the high spatial resolution of the device and its retrieval of the complete four-dimensional pulse field, to distill the key electric field quantities into a handful of scalars for rapid assessment of the pulse's first order distortions. Here, our new, rapid non-iterative retrieval algorithm is validated with simulated and experimental data, and it provides, within seconds, the same first-order information as given by the full analysis. This algorithm is suitable for on-shot assessment of spatiotemporal distortions and can be adapted to assess high repetition-rate laser quality in HED experiments.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Generation of gamma radiation by a subterawatt ultrashort laser pulse: optimisation of preplasma and pulse duration
We report an experimental and numerical study of the acceleration of electrons in a plasma interacting with a subterawatt laser pulse (intensity of ∼3 × 10{sup 18} W cm{sup −2} at a pulse duration of 50 fs). A preplasma layer on the surface of a molybdenum target is formed by an additional laser pulse with a duration of 8 ns and an intensity of ∼2 × 10{sup 12} W cm{sup −2}. It is shown that an increase in the laser pulse duration to 1700 fs at a constant energy (and a proportional decrease in intensity) leads to an increase in the yield of bremsstrahlung γ-radiation by more than an order of magnitude when the nanosecond pulse is ahead of the femtosecond one by 15 − 25 ns. Interferometry data and results of diagnostics of optical and γ-radiation of a plasma demonstrate that the collisional ionisation of atoms by electrons oscillating in the field of such a laser pulse plays an essential role in the formation of electron density profile. The sensitivity of the described effect to the level of amplified spontaneous emission is determined, despite the nanosecond pulse impact. Numerical simulations show that at a large pulse duration, the acceleration of electrons is stipulated by the beaking of plasma waves excited during stimulated Raman scattering of laser radiation. (paper)
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Six-photon resonant scattering of collinear laser pulses in plasma
To achieve the highest possible laser intensities with the least laser energy, shorter-wavelengths lasers are advantaged if they can be focused to spots of a few laser wavelengths and durations of several laser periods. However, the top laser pulse energies available nowadays are megajoules at near-optical wavelengths and millijoules at shorter wavelengths. Thus, to produce the highest laser intensities, what is required is an efficient spectral transfer of the huge near-optical energies to shorter wavelengths. It is proposed here that the desired spectral transfer could occur via resonant photon interactions associated with nonlinearity of mildly relativistic motions of plasma electrons in intense laser fields, specifically via the six-photon resonant scattering of collinear laser pulses in plasma. As a result, the six-photon interaction can, in fact, be the dominant resonant photon interaction to achieve collinear frequency up-conversion.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Effect of optical field ionisation on the generation of wake fields by femtosecond laser pulses in an inhomogeneous plasma
We consider the interaction of a high-intensity short laser pulse with an argon gas during optical field ionisation. Modelling in a three-dimensional cylindrical symmetric geometry is performed at various moderately relativistic intensities and positions of the focal plane of the laser beam in the case of both optical gas ionisation and a pre-ionised plasma. The influence of the processes occurring during optical field ionisation of the gas on the generation of wake waves is investigated, and the conditions are found under which intense wake fields are produced in a plasma formed from an inhomogeneous argon gas jet. The possibility of using a gas with a large number of electrons on the outer shell (argon) to excite intense wake waves and accelerate electrons is demonstrated. Despite significant ionisation refraction of the laser pulse on a radially inhomogeneous density profile of plasma electrons formed during optical field ionisation, the region of the parameters of the laser pulse and the gas target is determined at which ionisation refraction leads to the excitation of an intense wake wave. It is found that in a pre-ionised plasma a wake wave is not generated even at the same laser radiation intensity. (paper)
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Arbitrary-velocity laser pulses in plasma waveguides
Space-time structured laser pulses feature an intensity peak that can travel at an arbitrary velocity while maintaining a near-constant profile. These pulses can propagate in uniform media, where their frequencies are correlated with continuous transverse wave vectors, or in structured media, such as a waveguide, where their frequencies are correlated with discrete mode numbers. Here, we demonstrate the formation and propagation of arbitrary-velocity laser pulses in a plasma waveguide where the intensity can be orders of magnitude higher than in a solid-state waveguide. The flexibility to control the velocity of the peak intensity in a plasma waveguide enables new configurations for plasma-based sources of radiation and energetic particles, including THz generation, laser wakefield acceleration, and direct laser acceleration.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Intrinsic Defects in MoS 2 Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition: From Monolayers to Bilayers
Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) can be considered a powerful method for the growth of two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) into van der Waals heterostructures. However, despite significant progress, the defects in 2D TMDs grown by PLD remain largely unknown and yet to be explored. In this work, we combine atomic resolution images and first-principles calculations to reveal the atomic structure of defects, grains, and grain boundaries in mono- and bilayer MoS 2 grown by PLD. We find that sulfur vacancies and MoS antisites are the predominant point defects in 2D MoS 2 . We predict that the aforementioned point defects are thermodynamically favorable under a Mo-rich/S-poor environment. The MoS 2 monolayers are polycrystalline and feature nanometer size grains connected by a high density of grain boundaries. In particular, the coalescence of nanometer grains results in the formation of 180° mirror twin boundaries consisting of distinct 4- and 8-membered rings. We show that PLD synthesis of bilayer MoS 2 results in various structural symmetries, including AA' and AB, but also turbostratic with characteristic moiré patterns. Moreover, we report on the experimental demonstration of an electron beam-driven transition between the AB and AA' stacking orientations in bilayer MoS 2 . These results provide a detailed insight into the atomic structure of monolayer MoS 2 and the role of the grain boundaries on the growth of bilayer MoS 2 , which has importance for future applications in optoelectronics.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Two-dimensional parametric design of short pulse laser driven iron opacity experiments
High intensity short pulse lasers are commonly used to create high temperature and high density plasmas. These plasmas are used to study fundamental properties such as the equation of state and opacity. The targets often use small-diameter, thin buried layers of the materials of interest, surrounded by a tamper of low atomic number material such as plastic. Computational modeling is used to design and interpret experiments with short pulse lasers. Most of the modeling to date has assumed one-dimensional plane-parallel geometry. In this paper, the effects of radial gradients in the irradiation of thin planar targets are studied with one- and two-dimensional radiation/hydrodynamic simulations. It is found that the main effect of radial gradients is the averaging of plasma conditions and x-ray emission over the pattern of irradiation. Additionally, differences between one- and two-dimensional simulations arise because the plasma conditions and x-ray emission are, in general, nonlinear functions of the temperature of the plasma and thereby also nonlinear functions of the irradiation intensity. The differences increase with the ratio of the buried layer radius to the laser spot radius. The root mean square difference in the inferred iron L-shell opacity is less than 30% when the ratio is less than 1.0 and about 70% when the ratio is 1.5.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Compositional and Microstructural Evolution of Olivine Under Multiple-Cycle Pulsed Laser Irradiation as Revealed by FIB/Field-Emission TEM
The use of pulsed laser irradiation to simulate the short duration, high-energy conditions characteristic of micrometeorite impacts is now an established approach in experimental space weathering studies. The laser generates both melt and vapor deposits that contain nanophase metallic Fe (npFe(sup 0)) grains with size distributions and optical properties similar to those in natural impact-generated melt and vapor deposits. There remains uncertainty, however, about how well lasers simulate the mechanical work and internal (thermal) energy partitioning that occurs in actual impacts. We are currently engaged in making a direct comparison between the products of laser irradiation and experimental/natural hypervelocity impacts. An initial step reported here is to use analytical SEM and TEM is to attain a better understanding of how the microstructure and composition of laser deposits evolve over multiple cycles of pulsed laser irradiation.
Christoffersen, R.↗