Linear theory of thermal blooming in turbulence

Conference · Tue Jan 16 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.18329· OSTI ID:7265918

Chambers, D. H.; Karr, T. J.; Morris, J. R.; Cramer, P.; Viecelli, J. A. ^[1]; Gautessen, A. K. ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
2. Ames Lab., IA (USA)

In this paper we show how the electric field spectrum for a high energy laser beam propagating through a uniform atmosphere can be calculated using the linear theory of small fluctuations. The beam is modeled analytically as an infinite plane wave which propagates through a medium with constant absorption and no transverse wind. Return-wave phase compensation is modeled as a filter in the transverse wind. Return-wave phase compensation is modeled as a filter in the transverse Fourier domain. The linear theory describes the growth of small fluctuations on the beam and accurately predicts the evolution of the electric field spectrum until the magnitude of the fluctuations approach the original beam irradiance. The accuracy is tested by comparing with the spectrum calculated using ORACLE, a full wave optics thermal blooming code. 4 refs., 3 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOD; DOE/DP
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7265918
• Report Number(s): UCRL-102673; CONF-900140--9; ON: DE90007243; CNN: W31RPD-7-D4041
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640301* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Beams & their Reactions
654001 -- Radiation & Shielding Physics-- Radiation Physics
Shielding Calculations & Experiments
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
CALCULATION METHODS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUATIONS
FLUCTUATIONS
FLUID FLOW
LASER RADIATION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
RADIATIONS
TURBULENT FLOW
VARIATIONS
WAVE EQUATIONS
WAVE PROPAGATION