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Full-Text Articles in Optics

Thermal Blooming With Laser-Induced Convection: Radial Basis Function Simulation, Benjamin F. Akers, Steven T. Fiorino, Jonah A. Reeger Aug 2023

Thermal Blooming With Laser-Induced Convection: Radial Basis Function Simulation, Benjamin F. Akers, Steven T. Fiorino, Jonah A. Reeger

Faculty Publications

The propagation of a high energy laser through a nearly stagnant absorbing medium is studied. The absorption values and time scale of the problem are such that the laser induces convective heat currents transverse to the beam. These currents couple to the laser via the refractive index, causing time dependent thermal blooming. A numerical method is developed and applied to the model in [ J. Electromagn. Waves Appl. 33, 96 (2019) ], using radial basis functions for spatial differencing, which allows for irregular point spacings and a wide class of geometries. Both the beam and laser-induced fluid dynamics are …


Numerical Simulation Of Steady-State Thermal Blooming With Natural Convection, Jeremiah S. Lane, Justin Cook, Martin Richardson, Benjamin F. Akers Mar 2023

Numerical Simulation Of Steady-State Thermal Blooming With Natural Convection, Jeremiah S. Lane, Justin Cook, Martin Richardson, Benjamin F. Akers

Faculty Publications

This work investigates steady-state thermal blooming of a high-energy laser in the presence of laser-driven convection. While thermal blooming has historically been simulated with prescribed fluid velocities, the model introduced here solves for the fluid dynamics along the propagation path using a Boussinesq approximation to the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The resultant temperature fluctuations were coupled to refractive index fluctuations, and the beam propagation was modeled using the paraxial wave equation. Fixed-point methods were used to solve the fluid equations as well as to couple the beam propagation to the steady-state flow. The simulated results are discussed relative to recent experimental …


The Behavior Of Partially Coherent Twisted Space-Time Beams In Atmospheric Turbulence, Milo W. Hyde Iv Jan 2023

The Behavior Of Partially Coherent Twisted Space-Time Beams In Atmospheric Turbulence, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Faculty Publications

We study how atmospheric turbulence affects twisted space-time beams, which are non-stationary random optical fields whose space and time dimensions are coupled with a stochastic twist. Applying the extended Huygens–Fresnel principle, we derive the mutual coherence function of a twisted space-time beam after propagating a distance z through atmospheric turbulence of arbitrary strength. We specialize the result to derive the ensemble-averaged irradiance and discuss how turbulence affects the beam’s spatial size, pulse width, and space-time twist. Lastly, we generate, in simulation, twisted space-time beam field realizations and propagate them through atmospheric phase screens to validate our analysis.


Spatiotemporal Non-Uniformly Correlated Beams, Milo W. Hyde Iv Nov 2021

Spatiotemporal Non-Uniformly Correlated Beams, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Faculty Publications

We present a new partially coherent source with spatiotemporal coupling. The stochastic light, which we call a spatiotemporal (ST) non-uniformly correlated (NUC) beam, combines space and time in an inhomogeneous (shift- or space-variant) correlation function. This results in a source that self-focuses at a controllable location in space-time, making these beams potentially useful in applications such as optical trapping, optical tweezing, and particle manipulation. We begin by developing the mutual coherence function for an ST NUC beam. We then examine its free-space propagation characteristics by deriving an expression for the mean intensity at any plane z ≥ 0. To validate …


Multi-Gaussian Random Variables For Modeling Optical Phenomena, Olga Korotkova, Milo W. Hyde Iv Aug 2021

Multi-Gaussian Random Variables For Modeling Optical Phenomena, Olga Korotkova, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Faculty Publications

A generalization of the classic Gaussian random variable to the family of multi-Gaussian (MG) random variables characterized by shape parameter M > 0, in addition to the mean and the standard deviation, is introduced. The probability density function (PDF) of the MG family members is an alternating series of Gaussian functions with suitably chosen heights and widths. In particular, for integer values of M, the series has a finite number of terms and leads to flattened profiles, while reducing to the classic Gaussian PDF for M = 1. For non-integer, positive values of M, a convergent infinite series of …


Effect Of Ar(3p54p; 2p)+M -> Ar(3p54s; 1s)+M Branching Ratio On Optically Pumped Rare Gas Laser Performance, Daniel J. Emmons Ii, David E. Weeks Nov 2019

Effect Of Ar(3p54p; 2p)+M -> Ar(3p54s; 1s)+M Branching Ratio On Optically Pumped Rare Gas Laser Performance, Daniel J. Emmons Ii, David E. Weeks

Faculty Publications

Optically pumped rare gas laser performance is analyzed as a function of the Ar(3p54p; 2p) + M → Ar(3p54s; 1s) + M branching ratios. Due to the uncertainty in the branching ratios, a sensitivity study is performed to determine the effect on output and absorbed pump laser intensities. The analysis is performed using a radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge as the source of metastable production for a variety of Argon in Helium mixtures over pressures ranging from 200 to 500 Torr. Peak output laser intensities show a factor of 7 increase as the branching ratio is …


Experimental Study: Underwater Propagation Of Super-Gaussian And Multi-Gaussian Schell-Model Partially Coherent Beams With Varying Degrees Of Spatial Coherence, Svetlana Avramov-Zamurovic, Charles L. Nelson, Milo W. Hyde Iv Feb 2019

Experimental Study: Underwater Propagation Of Super-Gaussian And Multi-Gaussian Schell-Model Partially Coherent Beams With Varying Degrees Of Spatial Coherence, Svetlana Avramov-Zamurovic, Charles L. Nelson, Milo W. Hyde Iv

Faculty Publications

We report on experiments where super-Gaussian and flat-top, multi-Gaussian Schell-model spatially partially coherent beams, with varying degrees of spatial coherence, were propagated underwater. Two scenarios were explored—calm and mechanically agitated water. The main objective of our study was the experimental comparison of the scintillation statistics. For a similar degree of coherence widths, the results show a potentially improved performance of scintillation index for the multi-Gaussian Schell-model beams as compared to the super-Gaussian beams. It should be noted that the presented results pertain only to the given experimental scenarios and further investigation is necessary to determine the scope of the findings.


Target-Based Coherent Beam Combining Of An Optical Phased Array Fed By A Broadband Laser Source, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Jack E. Mccrae, Glenn A. Tyler Jul 2017

Target-Based Coherent Beam Combining Of An Optical Phased Array Fed By A Broadband Laser Source, Milo W. Hyde Iv, Jack E. Mccrae, Glenn A. Tyler

Faculty Publications

The target-based phasing of an optical phased array (OPA) fed by a broadband master oscillator laser source is investigated. The specific scenario examined here considers an OPA phasing through atmospheric turbulence on a rough curved object. An analytical expression for the detected or received intensity is derived. Gleaned from this expression are the conditions under which target-based phasing is possible. A detailed OPA wave optics simulation is performed to validate the theoretical findings. Key aspects of the simulation set-up as well as the results are thoroughly discussed.


Reflective Inverse Diffusion, Kenneth W. Burgi, Jessica Ullom, Michael A. Marciniak, Mark E. Oxley Nov 2016

Reflective Inverse Diffusion, Kenneth W. Burgi, Jessica Ullom, Michael A. Marciniak, Mark E. Oxley

Faculty Publications

Phase front modulation was previously used to refocus light after transmission through scattering media. This process has been adapted here to work in reflection. A liquid crystal spatial light modulator is used to conjugate the phase scattering properties of diffuse reflectors to produce a converging phase front just after reflection. The resultant focused spot had intensity enhancement values between 13 and 122 depending on the type of reflector. The intensity enhancement of more specular materials was greater in the specular region, while diffuse reflector materials achieved a greater enhancement in non-specular regions, facilitating non-mechanical steering of the focused spot. Scalar …


Use Of A Continuous Wave Raman Fiber Laser In Graded-Index Multimode Fiber For Srs Beam Combination, Nathan B. Terry, Kevin T. Engel, Thomas G. Alley, Timothy H. Russell Jan 2007

Use Of A Continuous Wave Raman Fiber Laser In Graded-Index Multimode Fiber For Srs Beam Combination, Nathan B. Terry, Kevin T. Engel, Thomas G. Alley, Timothy H. Russell

Faculty Publications

We report using a Raman fiber laser (RFL) based on a multimode graded-index fiber as a novel method for beam combination of two continuous wave pump beams. Due to stimulated Raman scattering, the RFL generates a Stokes beam which can be up to 300% brighter than the pump beams. Up to 5.8 W of Stokes power is generated with an optical conversion efficiency of 56%.