Physics Commons^™

Demonstration Of A Strategy To Perform Two-Dimensional Diode Laser Tomography, Ryan N. Givens

Theses and Dissertations

Demonstration of a strategy to perform two-dimensional diode laser tomography using a priori knowledge from symmetry arguments and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) calculations is presented for a flat flame burner. The strategy uses an optimization technique to determine flame diameter and location using a vector quantization approach. Next, the variance in a training set, produced from CFD calculations, is captured using principal components analysis. The information in the training set allows interpolation between beam paths resulting in temperature and density maps. Finally, the TDLAS temperature and density maps are shown to agree with traditional thermocouple measurements of the flat flame …

Potential For Ultrafast Dynamic Chemical Imaging With Few-Cycle Infrared Lasers, Toru Morishita, Anh-Thu Le, Zhangjin Chen, C. D. Lin

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We studied the photoelectron spectra generated by an intense few cycle infrared laser pulse. By focusing on the angular distributions of the back rescattered high energy photoelectrons, we show that accurate differential elastic scattering cross-sections of the target ion by free electrons can be extracted. Since the incident direction and the energy of the free electrons can be easily changed by manipulating the laser's polarization, intensity and wavelength, these extracted elastic scattering cross-sections, in combination with more advanced inversion algorithms, may be used to reconstruct the effective single-scattering potential of the molecule, thus opening up the possibility of using few-cycle …

Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Photonic Crystal Lasers And Photonic Devices, Ying Zhou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation discusses cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) and polymers based photonic devices including one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal lasers and broadband circular polarizers. CLCs showing unique self-organized chiral structures have been widely used in bistable displays, flexible displays, and reflectors. However, the photonic band gap they exhibit opens a new way for generating laser light at the photonic band edge (PBE) or inside the band gap. When doped with an emissive laser dye, cholesteric liquid crystals provide distributed feedback so that mirrorless lasing is hence possible. Due to the limited surface anchoring, the thickness of gain medium and feedback length is …

Two-To-Four Coherent Beams Interference Patterns Of Non-Orthogonal Planes, Ali̇ekber Aktağ

Turkish Journal of Physics

In this paper, we present an analysis of intensity distribution of interference pattern of two-to-four linearly polarized plane waves at their intersection in a plane surface. A configuration in which the four plane waves intersect at different angles along four non-orthogonal planes is considered. We show that the shape and the intensity distribution of the interference pattern is strong function of the angles of planes, kinds of polarizations, beam incidence angles. A variety of two-dimensional intensity distribution arrays have been formed by two-to-four beams with differing plane angles, angles of beam incidence and beam polarizations, which may potentially be useful …

Time Resolution Of Collapse Events During The Progation Of Ultraviolet Filaaments, Teresa J. Fondren

Theses and Dissertations

Long distance propagation, or filamentation, of short, intense laser pulses is suggested to be possible through the balance of two effects: self-focusing, when a nonlinear index of refraction of air is induced by high intensities, and de-focusing, due to the plasma created by the pulse. Applications for filamentation include areas such as remote sensing and directed energy. A split-step spectral propagation simulation is used to model the behavior of a high intensity ultraviolet laser pulse propagating through air. Convergence of femtosecond duration collapses that form on the leading edge of the pulse in the time domain is achieved with an …

Direct Diode Pumped Raman Amplifier Based On A Multimode Graded Index Fiberr, Charles James Baird

Theses and Dissertations

The direct pumping of a Raman fiber amplifier (RFA) was attempted using an array of four 25W, fiber pigtailed diodes at 936nm, combined via a 7 channel fiber beam combiner. The initial attempt was conducted using a 1.8 km, 100 micron core, GRIN fiber with an NA of .29 and attenuation 3.6 dB/km at 936nm. While amplification was not achieved, over 200mW of conversion was shown, with 10.4W of pump power and 3.5W of seed. This corresponds to an average conversion efficiency of 2.2%. The subsequent effort utilized a 2km long, 200 micron core, GRIN fiber, with NA of .27 …

Elliptical Micro-Ring Organic Lasers, P. R. Korade, John Ballato, R, V. Gregory

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Multimode laser action was observed from optically excited 2,5-dioctyloxy poly(para-phenylene-vinylene), DOO-PPV, micro-rings coaxially deposited around glass optical fibres of elliptical cross-section. The laser emission was found to be dependent upon the incident angle of the excitation and exhibited linewidths of approximately 1.2 Å, quality factors (Q) exceeding 5000, and thresholds below 0.3 μJ pulse. Such elliptical organic micro-ring lasers offer increased tailorability in emission properties over more conventional analogues of circular cross-section. Also discussed is the potential for such low-threshold lasers to serve as integrated sources for fibre lasers and amplifiers.

Polarization-Operator Approach To Electron-Positron Pair Production In Combined Laser And Coulomb Fields, A. I. Milstein, Carsten Muller, Karen Z. Hatsagortsyan, Ulrich D. Jentschura, Christoph H. Keitel

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

The optical theorem is applied to the process of electron-positron pair creation in the superposition of a nuclear Coulomb and a strong laser field. We derive representations for the total production rate as twofold integrals, both for circular laser polarization and for the general case of elliptic polarization. Our approach allows us to obtain, by analytical means, the asymptotic behavior of the pair creation rate for various limits of interest. In particular, we consider pair production by two-photon absorption and show that, close to the energetic threshold of this process, the rate obeys a power law in the laser frequency …

Direct Observation Of Laser Filamentation In High-Order Harmonic Generation, John Charles Painter

Theses and Dissertations

We investigate the spatial evolution of an intense laser pulse as it generates high-order harmonics in a long gas cell, filled with 80 torr of helium. A thin foil separates the gas-filled region of the cell from a subsequent evacuated region. The exit plane of the gas cell can be scanned along the laser axis so that the evolution of the laser throughout the focus can be observed (full scanning range of 9 cm). We constructed an apparatus that images the laser radial energy profile as it exits the cell. The high harmonics, odd orders ranging from 45 to 91, …

Comparison Of Climatological Optical Turbulence Profiles To Standard, Statistical And Numerical Models Using Heleeos, Liesebet E. Gravley

Theses and Dissertations

Optical turbulence within earth’s atmosphere plays a significant role in electromagnetic radiation propagation from a high energy laser. The index of refraction structure constant, Cn2, characterizes turbulent spatial fluctuations due to temperature gradients. These changes in the index of refraction affect the intensity of the laser wave front on its intended target. It is important to characterize this parameter throughout the atmosphere, the boundary layer and above, for its applications regarding the Airborne Laser (ABL) and the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL). There are several ways to obtain values of optical turbulence, including standard and statistical models, physically-based numerical models, and …

Progress Towards Terahertz Acoustic Phonon Generation In Doping Superlattices, Thomas E. Wilson

Physics Faculty Research

Progress is described in experiments to generate coherent terahertz acoustic phonons in silicon doping superlattices by the resonant absorption of nanosecond-pulsed far-infrared laser radiation. Future experiments are proposed that would use the superlattice as a transducer in a terahertz cryogenic acoustic reflection microscope with sub-nanometer resolution.

Progress Towards Terahertz Acoustic Phonon Generation In Doping Superlattices, Thomas E. Wilson

Physics Faculty Research

Progress is described in experiments to generate coherent terahertz acoustic phonons in silicon doping superlattices by the resonant absorption of nanosecond-pulsed far-infrared laser radiation. Future experiments are proposed that would use the superlattice as a transducer in a terahertz cryogenic acoustic reflection microscope with sub-nanometer resolution.

Relativistic And Radiative Corrections To The Mollow Spectrum, Jorg Evers, Ulrich D. Jentschura, Christoph H. Keitel

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

The incoherent inelastic part of the resonance fluorescence spectrum of a laser-driven atom is known as the Mollow spectrum [B. R. Mollow, Phys. Rev. 188, 1969 (1969)]. Starting from this level of description, we discuss theoretical foundations of high-precision spectroscopy using the resonance fluorescence light of strongly laser-driven atoms. Specifically, we evaluate the leading relativistic and radiative corrections to the Mollow spectrum, up to the relative orders of ( Z α )² and α ( Z α )² , respectively, and Bloch-Siegert shifts as well as stimulated radiative corrections involving off-resonant virtual states. Complete results are provided for …

Diode Laser Microwave Induced Plasma Cavity Ringdown Spectrometer: Performance And Perspective, Chuji Wang, Sudip P. Koirala, Susan T. Scherrer, Yixiang Duan, Christopher B. Winstead

Faculty Publications

Recent studies combining an atmospheric-pressure plasma source (inductively coupled plasma or microwave induced plasma) with cavity ringdown spectroscopy (plasma-CRDS) have indicated significant promise for ultra-sensitive elemental measurements. Initial plasma-CRDS efforts employed an inductively coupled plasma as the atomization source and a pulsed laser system as the light source. In an effort to improve the portability and reduce the cost of the system for application purposes, we have modified our approach to include a compact microwave induced plasma and a continuous wave diode laser. A technique for controlling the coupling of the continuous wave laser to the ringdown cavity has been …

Dispersion-Managed Breathing-Mode Semiconductor Mode-Locked Ring Laser, Bojan Resan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A novel dispersion-managed breathing-mode semiconductor mode-locked ring laser is developed. The "breathing-mode" designation derives from the fact that intracavity pulses are alternately stretched and compressed as they circulate around the ring resonator. The pulses are stretched before entering the semiconductor gain medium to minimize the detrimental strong integrating self-phase modulation and to enable efficient pulse amplification. Subsequently compressed pulses facilitate bleaching the semiconductor saturable absorber. The intracavity pulse compression ratio is higher than 50. Down chirping when compared to up chirping allows broader mode-locked spectra and shorter pulse generation owing to temporal and spectral semiconductor gain dynamics. Pulses as short …

Phasing A Dual Optical Path System Using An Optical Fiber As A Phase Conjugate Mirror, Shawn M. Willis

Theses and Dissertations

Phase conjugation properties of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a short multimode fiber have been investigated with an eye towards its application for a multi-channel double pass master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system. In particular, properties of the SBS beam to compensate for the axial and transverse phase distortion between individual channels in a multi-channel amplifier system were studied. Two optical paths were created by covering half of the laser beam with a microscope slide, and also by spatially splitting the wavefronts with a 4 prism set-up. The Stokes beams that traversed the same optical paths as the pump beams …

Collisional And Radiative Processes In High-Pressure Discharge Plasmas, Kurt H. Becker, Peter F. Kurunczi, Karl H. Schoenbach

Bioelectrics Publications

Discharge plasmas at high pressures (up to and exceeding atmospheric pressure), where single collision conditions no longer prevail, provide a fertile environment for the experimental study of collisions and radiative processes dominated by (i) step-wise processes, i.e., the excitation of an already excited atomic/molecular state and by (ii) three-body collisions leading, for instance, to the formation of excimers. The dominance of collisional and radiative processes beyond binary collisions involving ground-state atoms and molecules in such environments allows for many interesting applications of high-pressure plasmas such as high power lasers, opening switches, novel plasma processing applications and sputtering, absorbers and reflectors …

Relations For Different Resonators Of Nd:Glass And Nd:Yag Lasers, Erol Taşal, M. Selami̇ Kiliçkaya

Turkish Journal of Physics

Simple relations in terms of effective g parameters are given for linear resonators that contain laser rods with curved endfaces and for symmetrical and asymmetric ring resonators of Nd:Glass and Nd:YAG lasers. The equivalence relationships of thick and thin lenses have been applied.

Algorithm Development For On-Line Control Of The Airborne Laser, Michael W. Oppenheimer

Theses and Dissertations

The use of adaptive optics entails the design of a controller. This requires the development of a model of the plant to be controlled, which, in this case, Consists of the atmosphere through which light is traveling. In optics, Zemike polynornials are used as a basis set for the expansion of wavefront phase distortions. Due to the turbulence induced stochastic nature of the underlying process involved, the spatial-temporal correlation functions of the Zemike polynomial phase expansion coefficients must be evaluated if a proper stochastic model of the plant is to be developed and adaptive optics is to be employed. In …

Material Evaluation By Pulsed Diode Laser Optoacoustics, Xiaodong Xu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Pulsed diode laser optoacoustic diagnostics were carried out to characterize solid sample materials. The apparatus developed is compact, portable, cost-effective and therefore very promising for both industrial as well as laboratory applications. To our knowledge, this is the first time that optoacoustic characterization and measurement have been performed with a diode laser. The method was successfully applied to measure the thickness of a multilayer structure non-intrusively. Internal cracks of the material were detected by this technique.

A theory for optoacoustic signal generation, propagation and detection is given. A numerical analysis technique is developed to solve for the expected signal. In …

Gamma-Ray Optical Studies Of ⁷³Ge And ⁵⁷Fe, Walter Carlton Mcdermott Iii

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The research described herein is among the first attempts to test one of the more popular theories for development of a gamma-ray laser. This work is a "marriage" between the Borrmann effect, which is a consequence of the dynamical theory of x-ray diffraction, and time-filtering which comes from time-domain Mossbauer spectroscopy.

Our experiments involved the search for a nuclear Borrmann effect and the subsequent time-filtering effect using ⁵⁷Fe and ⁷³Ge. In both cases, no nuclear Borrmann effect was observed; however, the methodology and criteria necessary for such an observation with any isotope were documented. The procedures necessary for …

Picosecond Laser Pulse Irradiation Of Crystalline Silicon, K. L. Merkle, H. Baumgart, R.H. Uebbing, F. Phillipp

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Morphology changes introduced by picosecond laser pulses at λ = 532 nm and 355 nm in (111) and (100) silicon samples are studied by means of optical and high-voltage electron microscopy. Depending on energy fluence, orientation and wavelength, amorphous or highly defective regions may be created. From an analysis of damage thresholds and damage depth distributions it is concluded that melting and energy confinement precedes the formation of the structural changes.

Spectroscopic Measurement Of The Electron Temperature In The Tenuous Argon Ion Laser Plasma, Dane Danijel Bicanic

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The validity of the line intensity ratio technique for measuring the electron temperature was examined for an argon plasma with a "population inversion" i.e., the number of ions with electrons in the upper 4p levels was greater than in the lower 4s levels. The line intensities from these levels, the argon ion lasing transitions, were measured in a pulsed tenuous plasma at 110μ Hg produced by discharging a capacitor through a tube 2m long and 7mm inside diameter. The electron impact cross sections for simultaneous excitation and ionization as measured by Latimer and St. John were used and averaged over …