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Title: Atmospheric electromagnetic pulse propagation effects from thick targets in a terawatt laser target chamber

Journal Article · · Applied Optics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.46.006166· OSTI ID:1426976
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States). Department of Astronomy and Department of Earth and Planetary Science; Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
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Generation and effects of atmospherically propagated electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) initiated by photoelectrons ejected by the high density and temperature target surface plasmas from multiterawatt laser pulses are analyzed. These laser radiation pulse interactions can significantly increase noise levels, thereby obscuring data (sometimes totally) and may even damage sensitive probe and detection instrumentation. Noise effects from high energy density (approximately multiterawatt) laser pulses (~300–400 ps pulse widths) interacting with thick (~1 mm) metallic and dielectric solid targets and dielectric–metallic powder mixtures are interpreted as transient resonance radiation associated with surface charge fluctuations on the target chamber that functions as a radiating antenna. Effective solutions that minimize atmospheric EMP effects on internal and proximate electronic and electro-optical equipment external to the system based on systematic measurements using Moebius loop antennas, interpretations of signal periodicities, and dissipation indicators determining transient noise origin characteristics from target emissions are described. Analytic models for the effect of target chamber resonances and associated noise current and temperature in a probe diode laser are described.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1426976
Report Number(s):
SAND-2007-0913J; APOPAI; 524199
Journal Information:
Applied Optics, Vol. 46, Issue 24; ISSN 0003-6935
Publisher:
Optical Society of America (OSA)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 17 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Cited By (5)

Targets for high repetition rate laser facilities: needs, challenges and perspectives journal January 2017
Strong electromagnetic pulses generated in high-intensity short-pulse laser interactions with thin foil targets journal November 2017
Time-resolved absolute measurements by electro-optic effect of giant electromagnetic pulses due to laser-plasma interaction in nanosecond regime journal June 2016
Spectral and temporal characteristics of target current and electromagnetic pulse induced by nanosecond laser ablation journal April 2017
Strong electromagnetic pulses generated in high-intensity short-pulse laser interactions with thin foil targets text January 2017

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