Advanced wavefront measurement and analysis of laser system modeling
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
High spatial resolution measurements of the reflected or transmitted wavefronts of large aperture optical components used in high peak power laser systems is now possible. These measurements are produced by phase shifting interferometry. The wavefront data is in the form of 3-D phase maps that reconstruct the wavefront shape. The emphasis of this work is on the characterization of wavefront features in the mid-spatial wavelength range (from 0.1 to 10.0 mm) and has been accomplished for the first time. Wavefront structure from optical components with spatial wavelengths in this range are of concern because their effects in high peak power laser systems. At high peak power, this phase modulation can convert to large magnitude intensity modulation by non-linear processes. This can lead to optical damage. We have developed software to input the measured phase map data into beam propagation codes in order to model this conversion process. We are analyzing this data to: (1) Characterize the wavefront structure produced by current optical components, (2) Refine our understanding of laser system performance, (3) Develop a database from which future optical component specifications can be derived.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 145970
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9411140-Absts.; ON: DE95017252; TRN: 95:007225-0020
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Imaging sciences workshop, Livermore, CA (United States), 15-16 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: 15 Nov 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Imaging sciences workshop; Candy, J.V.; PB: 101 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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