Transverse Flow Gas Lens
Abstract
The concept of a transverse flow gas lens is described. In this device, gas flows between two parallel plates which are heated or cooled so as to generate a parabolic variation of index of refraction in the region between the plates. A laser beam, propagating normal to the gas flow, can then be diverged, converged, or focused. A single module acts like a cylindrical lens. The use of two or three modules, arranged in an orthogonal manner, provides a spherical lens. Equations and tables are provided for the design of one, two, and three module configurations. The advantages of the transverse flow gas lens (relative to a device with flow along the optic axis) are (a) thermal blooming is minimized (due to short residence time of fluid in laser beam), (b) the index of refraction profile is the same throughout each module, leading to good beam quality, and (c) the system is readily scaleable. However, a longer distance along the optical axis may be needed by the transverse flow lens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 29, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA231366
Entities
People
- Donald J. Spencer
- Hal Mirels
- Robert Hofland
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation