Reduction of Thermal Blooming by Beam Optimization
Abstract
The United Aircraft Research Laboratories are engaged in an experimental and theoretical research program to determine the optimum beam configuration to minimize thermal blooming effects on high power laser beams propagating in the atmosphere. This research is sponsored by the U. S. Army Electronics Command and represents a logical extension of the self-induced thermal distortion studies that have been carried out here at UARL during the past three years under the sponsorship of both the Army and the Office of Naval Research. During the past quarter progress has been made in the following areas: (1) calculations of beam shaping effects on thermal blooming; (2) the reciprocity approach to the correction of thermal blooming; (3) the analysis of MO phase correction for blooming reduction in a GDL MOPA system; and (4) the study of thermal blooming effects on multiple pulse or pulse train propagation. The results of this work including future research plans are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 09, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA019562
Entities
People
- F. G. Gebhardt
Organizations
- United Technologies Corporation