Versatile Mathematical Tools for Directed Energy Simulations

Abstract

Directed energy weapons, such as high-power fiber laser amplifiers, are of great interest to the Department of Defense as potential speed-of-light weapons that can defend against missiles and can disrupt or destroy enemy equipment without causing collateral damage. Despite significant progress in recent years, achieving targeted specifications for fieldable fiber laser systems is very challenging. Important roadblocks to the realization of such systems have persisted partly due to the complex trade-space of nonlinearities in fiber laser systems operating at high-power. Rigorous mathematical models, and verifiably accurate implementations, are essential for providing reliable predicted performances. In the case of pulsed fiber laser amplifiers, the optimization of fiber designs faces issues different from continuous-wave fiber amplifiers, and distinct simulation capabilities are needed. Current mathematical and computational tools are limited by both the accuracy of the employed methodologies as well as adaptability and extendibility of available model implementations within commercial software.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Feb 29, 2024
Source ID
FA95502310103

Entities

People

  • Jay Gopalakrishnan

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Portland State University
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space