Time-dependent propagation of high-energy laser beams through the atmosphere: III

Technical Report · Wed Dec 14 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5037661

Morris, J R; Fleck, Jr, J A

An accurate computational model of combined strong t/sup 3/-blooming and steady-state multiple-pulse blooming is described. A single-pulse calculation and a series of calculations for an overlap number of 1.5 are presented. A new method is derived for calculating a corrective phase to compensate for thermal blooming. This method, which is based on an equivalent thin-lens model, provides a fast and accurate estimate of the compensating phase when most of the phase distortion occurs near the laser. It is capable of computing the steady-state compensation for thermal blooming of either cw or multiple-pulse laser beams in noncoplanar scenarios. Several examples of phase compensation calculations are presented including compensation for a quasi-stagnation zone (an almost zero wind-speed minimum) near the laser. Finally, the effects of realistic intensity and phase profiles, stagnation zones, and smoke clouds on laser beam propagation in Army scenarios are examined. In particular, simulation of the ABEL laser beam with realistic intensity and phase profiles shows that its phase distortion is far more detrimental than its nonideal intensity profile. The stagnation zone calculations suggest that the combination of substantial slewing rates with a small wind speed at the laser will make stagnation zones inconsequential in many Army scenarios. 27 figures, 11 tables.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5037661
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52377
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
654001 -- Radiation & Shielding Physics-- Radiation Physics
Shielding Calculations & Experiments
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
AEROSOLS
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAS LASERS
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEUTRAL-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
PHOTON TRANSPORT
PULSES
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIATIONS
RESIDUES
SMOKES
SOLS
TIME DEPENDENCE
TROPOSPHERE
WAVE PROPAGATION
WIND