Investigation of Self-Induced Thermal Effects of CO2 Laser Radiation Propagating in Absorbing Gases

Abstract

The report summarizes the work performed during the second year of an experimental and theoretical research program concerning the self-induced thermal distortion effects on cw CO2 laser radiation propagating in absorbing media. The research program is directed toward improving the understanding of the possible limitations imposed by the atmosphere on the propagation of high power laser radiation. The work presented is concerned with essentially the following three different areas: (1) wind simulation experiments using a high pressure gas cell; (2) studies of the kinetic cooling of a gas by absorbing of CO2 laser radiation; and (3) studies of turbulence effects on the self-induced thermal distortion of laser beams.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0765520

Entities

People

  • David C. Smith
  • Frederick G. Gebhardt

Organizations

  • United Technologies Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Boundary Layer
  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Conduction (Heat Transfer)
  • Convection
  • Detectors
  • Diffraction
  • Electronics
  • Energy Transfer
  • Heat Transfer
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Refractive Index
  • Thermal Diffusivity
  • Turbulence
  • Wind Velocity

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy