Free Electron Lasers in Strategic Defense,

Abstract

This report discusses the basis for free electron laser (FEL) operation, roles FELs could play in strategic defense, expected effectiveness, and status of key components. The constellation sizes needed to meet evolving threats are derived, and the tradeoffs between space and ground basing of FELs are discussed, leading to a conclusion that FELs could be available for and play complementary roles to those of kinetic energy concepts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA340634

Entities

People

  • G. Canavan
  • J. Browne

Organizations

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Boost Phase
  • Chemical Lasers
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electron Beams
  • Electrons
  • Free Electron Lasers
  • Free Electrons
  • Frequency
  • Ground Based
  • High Energy
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Particle Physics
  • Phase
  • United States
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Space