STUDIES ON THE INTERACTION OF LIGHT AND PARTICLE BEAMS.
Abstract
The Faraday effect at optical frequencies was investigated in magnetic fields up to 400,000 oersteds. The investigation has resulted in the determination of the Verdet coefficients for 10 optical media at lambda = 6328A. The experiment was conducted by means of a DC excited helium-neon laser operated in a hemispherical configuration and with transient magnetic fields provided by a 10 kilojoule bank. This investigation has established the practicality of optical rotators and switches of modest dimensions, low absorption, wide wavelength coverage extending into the far infrared. The effect of localized evaporation induced in minute particles by an impinging beam of coherent radiation has been calculated. The expected recoil velocities as generated by the beam pressure compounded by the evaporation process have been determined and the acceleration of the macroscopic particles was evaluated for a given duration of the vaporization process. Terminal velocities in excess of 100,000 cm/sec could be expected for masses of the order of 10 to the -11 power grams, or more, and diameters in the order of 10 to 100 microns with energy densities in the field of a few joules/cu cm.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0614790