Research on the Flow Phenomena Related to High Power Laser.
Abstract
The fundamental mechanisms of the interaction of electrical discharges of the glow type and the fluid mechanics normally found in electric discharge lasers have been studied in an effort to improve their performance capability. Basic information on these devices was obtained via small-scale experiments at the University of Washington. An alternative method of phase compensation for laser beams using the refractive properties of gas jets was also investigated. The amount of beam degradation produced by turbulent shear layers in the jets was studied also. The experimental investigation of this beam degradation mechanism constitutes much of the effort in the project. Theoretical calculations detailing the effects of mixing of dissimilar gases at low Mach number have been carried out. High-power laser mixing flows have been studied by numerical, analytical, and experimental techniques. The models for wave decay in supersonic cavity flows have been extended, optical sensitivities calculated, and experiments conducted using a laser interferometer. Calculated thermodynamic parameter history through decaying wave systems has been used with simple HF reaction models to study strongly-coupled reaction shocks. A systematic study of the sensitivity of HF laser performance to fluid process assumptions has been carried out, with emphasis on power extraction measurements from a versatile shock/Ludwieg tube laboratory laser. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA115944
Entities
People
- A. Hertzberg
- D. A. Russell
- W. H. Christiansen
Organizations
- University of Washington