Corkscrew Effect Study
Abstract
Linearized hydrodynamic equations are solved for the time-dependent density perturbation caused by propagation of a high energy laser beam. The transverse flow of air through the beam (due to any combination of wind, laser platform motion and slew angular velocity) can have any desired time dependence, both in magnitude and direction. At any distance z along the beam the solution gives the variation in refractive index (proportional to the density variation) as a function of position in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. Wave optics calculations are made for the propagation of a beam subject to wind plus non-coplanar slew (for the steady-state situation). A scaling law is found for predicting the focal-plane peak irradiance from suitable coplanar calculations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA030931
Entities
People
- M. W. Munn
- R. S. Benson
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space