Mobile Ultrafast High Energy Laser Facility (MU-HELF)
Abstract
Ultrashort pulse laser atmospheric propagation has matured into a leading technology for long distance high intensity laser propagation and tracking due to the advances in laser design and unique guiding physics. The MU-HELF system, partly funded under this DURIP, is a state-of-the-art unique mobile high-energy femtosecond laser-propagation facility designed and built to directly address the continuing needs of the propagation community in the fields of laser propagation, ultra-fast science, filamentation, and at-distance laser interaction studies. Combined with precision tracking ability, this mobile facility enables filamentation, meta-optics, plasma effects, remote sensing, long-range ablation and the generation of THz and RF emission and more in many different atmospheric environments. MU-HELF is currently based at the Air Force TISTEF laser-range located on Merritt Island, and operates as a resource for all US University and national laboratory research in ultrafast laser propagation. The DURIP funds provided the critical items to meet the design specifications of a state-of-the-art 500 mJ, sub 100 fs, 10 Hz laser system with integrated guidestar, flexible beam projection optics, and a separate laser tracking system. MU-HELF is operational and performing propagation studies on the kilometer TISTEF range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1110950
Entities
People
- Lawrence Shah
- Magali Durand
- Martin Richardson
- Matthieu Baudelet
Organizations
- University of Central Florida