An Analysis of Mathematical Transformations and a Comparison of Numerical Techniques for Computation of High-Energy CW Laser Propagation in an Inhomogeneous Medium

Abstract

Present methods for modeling the propagation of focused and collimated laser beams are examined. Methods used for transforming the paraxial equation into a form more suitable for computation are generalized. This generalization is shown to lead to more beneficial computational characteristics than transformations previously employed. Various strategies arising from these transformations are analyzed and compared for numerical efficiency. The transformed equations are shown to be a convenient point of departure for solution by a class of numerical methods. The formulation is shown to lead to a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) solution that does not require a Nyquist accuracy criterion, allowing the numerical procedure to march the solution forward in a more economical fashion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1974
Accession Number
AD0783478

Entities

People

  • Harold J. Breaux

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Coefficients
  • Computations
  • Computers
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Difference Equations
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Fast Fourier Transforms
  • Focal Planes
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Phase Transformations
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Refractive Index
  • Thermal Blooming
  • Two Dimensional
  • Wave Functions

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Structural Dynamics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy