Sample records for input laser intensity

  1. Effect of laser intensity on radio frequency emissions from laser induced breakdown of atmospheric air

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vinoth Kumar, L.; Manikanta, E.; Leela, Ch.

    2016-06-07

    The studies on the effect of input laser intensity, through the variation of laser focusing geometry, on radio frequency (RF) emissions, over 30–1000 MHz from nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) laser induced breakdown (LIB) of atmospheric air are presented. The RF emissions from the ns and ps LIB were observed to be decreasing and increasing, respectively, when traversed from tight to loose focusing conditions. The angular and radial intensities of the RF emissions from the ns and ps LIB are found to be consistent with sin{sup 2}θ/r{sup 2} dependence of the electric dipole radiation. The normalized RF emissions were observed tomore » vary with incident laser intensity (Iλ{sup 2}), indicating the increase in the induced dipole moment at moderate input laser intensities and the damping of radiation due to higher recombination rate of plasma at higher input laser intensities.« less

  2. Recombination emissions and spectral blueshift of pump radiation from ultrafast laser induced plasma in a planar water microjet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anija, M.; Philip, Reji

    2009-09-01

    We report spectroscopic investigations of an ultrafast laser induced plasma generated in a planar water microjet. Plasma recombination emissions along with the spectral blueshift and broadening of the pump laser pulse contribute to the total emission. The laser pulses are of 100 fs duration, and the incident intensity is around 10 15 W/cm 2. The dominant mechanisms leading to plasma formation are optical tunnel ionization and collisional ionization. Spectrally resolved polarization measurements show that the high frequency region of the emission is unpolarized whereas the low frequency region is polarized. Results indicate that at lower input intensities the emission arises mainly from plasma recombinations, which is accompanied by a weak blueshift of the incident laser pulse. At higher input intensities strong recombination emissions are seen, along with a broadening and asymmetric spectral blueshift of the pump laser pulse. From the nature of the blueshifted laser pulse it is possible to deduce whether the rate of change of free electron density is a constant or variable within the pulse lifetime. Two input laser intensity regimes, in which collisional and tunnel ionizations are dominant respectively, have been thus identified.

  3. PHYSICAL EFFECTS OCCURRING DURING GENERATION AND AMPLIFICATION OF LASER RADIATION: Efficiency of the vibrational excitation of CO2 molecules pumped by a capacitative discharge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baranov, G. A.; Efremov, Yu V.; Smirnov, A. S.; Frolov, K. S.; Shevchenko, Yu I.

    1989-02-01

    An investigation was made of the distributions of the gain and input energy per unit volume along the discharge chamber length in a CO2-N2-He mixture stream excited by an rf discharge. The dependences of the gain and discharge luminescence intensity on the coordinate x were determined along the direction of the gas flow. The discharge luminescence intensity was shown to characterize the input energy distribution along the X axis. Calculations were made of the small-signal gain in the rf discharge. Experimental data on the distributions of the input energy and of the electric field in the discharge and the average values of the kinetic coefficients were used in the calculations. The efficiency of pumping CO2 lasers with an rf discharge was found to be close to the dc pumping efficiency. The results obtained provide evidence of promising prospects for using an rf discharge in fast-flow industrial lasers.

  4. Fiber optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy sensor for molten material analysis

    DOEpatents

    Zhang, Hansheng; Rai, Awadesh K.; Singh, Jagdish P.; Yueh, Fang-Yu

    2004-07-13

    A fiber optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor, including a laser light source, a harmonic separator for directing the laser light, a dichroic mirror for reflecting the laser light, a coupling lens for coupling the laser light at an input of a multimode optical fiber, a connector for coupling the laser light from an output of the multimode optical fiber to an input of a high temperature holder, such as a holder made of stainless steel, and a detector portion for receiving emission signal and analyzing LIBS intensities. In one variation, the multimode optical fiber has silica core and silica cladding. The holder includes optical lenses for collimating and focusing the laser light in a molten alloy to produce a plasma, and for collecting and transmitting an emission signal to the multimode optical fiber.

  5. Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

    DOEpatents

    Bayramian, Andrew James

    2016-05-03

    An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

  6. Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

    DOEpatents

    Bayramian, Andy J

    2013-10-01

    An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

  7. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sepke, Scott M.

    In this note, the laser focal plane intensity pro le for a beam modeled using the 3D ray trace package in HYDRA is determined. First, the analytical model is developed followed by a practical numerical model for evaluating the resulting computationally intensive normalization factor for all possible input parameters.

  8. Experimental generation of Laguerre-Gaussian beam using digital micromirror device.

    PubMed

    Ren, Yu-Xuan; Li, Ming; Huang, Kun; Wu, Jian-Guang; Gao, Hong-Fang; Wang, Zi-Qiang; Li, Yin-Mei

    2010-04-01

    A digital micromirror device (DMD) modulates laser intensity through computer control of the device. We experimentally investigate the performance of the modulation property of a DMD and optimize the modulation procedure through image correction. Furthermore, Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams with different topological charges are generated by projecting a series of forklike gratings onto the DMD. We measure the field distribution with and without correction, the energy of LG beams with different topological charges, and the polarization property in sequence. Experimental results demonstrate that it is possible to generate LG beams with a DMD that allows the use of a high-intensity laser with proper correction to the input images, and that the polarization state of the LG beam differs from that of the input beam.

  9. Interaction of Intense Short Laser Pulses with Air and Dielectric Materials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eisenmann, S.; Katzir, Y.; Zigler, A.; Fibich, G.; Louzon, E.; Ehrlich, Y.; Henis, Z.; Pecker, S.; Fisher, D.; Fraenkel, M.

    A study of the propagation of intense short laser pulses in air and the interaction of these pulses with distant targets is described. It is shown that the beam filamentation pattern can be controlled by introducing beam astigmatism. In addition, it is demonstrated that the collapse distance of intense femtosecond laser beams scales as P-1/2 for input powers that are moderately above the critical power for self focusing, and that at higher powers the collapse distance scales as P-1. Related to the interaction of intense short pulses with distant targets, it is measured that the threshold fluence for optical damage in wide gap materials is lower by up to 20% for negatively chirped pulses than for positively chirped, at pulse durations ranging from 60 fs to 1 ps.

  10. A very sensitive ion collection device for plasma-laser characterization.

    PubMed

    Cavallaro, S; Torrisi, L; Cutroneo, M; Amato, A; Sarta, F; Wen, L

    2012-06-01

    In this paper a very sensitive ion collection device, for diagnostic of laser ablated-target plasma, is described. It allows for reducing down to few microvolts the signal threshold at digital scope input. A standard ion collector is coupled to a transimpedance amplifier, specially designed, which increases data acquisition sensitivity by a gain ≈1100 and does not introduce any significant distortion of input signal. By time integration of current intensity, an amount of charge as small as 2.7 × 10(-2) pC can be detected for photopeak events.

  11. Simple Ultraviolet Short-Pulse Intensity Diagnostic Method Using Atmosphere

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aota, Tatsuya; Takahashi, Eiichi; Losev, Leonid L.; Tabuchi, Takeyuki; Kato, Susumu; Matsumoto, Yuji; Okuda, Isao; Owadano, Yoshiro

    2005-05-01

    An ultraviolet (UV) short-pulse intensity diagnostic method using atmosphere as a nonlinear medium was developed. This diagnostic method is based on evaluating the ion charge of the two-photon ionization of atmospheric oxygen upon irradiation with a UV (238-299 nm) short-pulse laser. The observed ion signal increased proportionally to the input intensity to the power of ˜2.2, during the two-photon ionization of atmospheric oxygen. An autocorrelator was constructed and used to successfully measure a UV laser pulse of ˜400 fs duration. Since this diagnostic system is used in the open-air under windowless conditions, it can be set along the beam path and used as a UV intensity monitor.

  12. Laser system refinements to reduce variability in infarct size in the rat photothrombotic stroke model

    PubMed Central

    Alaverdashvili, Mariam; Paterson, Phyllis G.; Bradley, Michael P.

    2015-01-01

    Background The rat photothrombotic stroke model can induce brain infarcts with reasonable biological variability. Nevertheless, we observed unexplained high inter-individual variability despite using a rigorous protocol. Of the three major determinants of infarct volume, photosensitive dye concentration and illumination period were strictly controlled, whereas undetected fluctuation in laser power output was suspected to account for the variability. New method The frequently utilized Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) lasers emitting 532 nm (green) light can exhibit fluctuations in output power due to temperature and input power alterations. The polarization properties of the Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO4 crystals commonly used in these lasers are another potential source of fluctuation, since one means of controlling output power uses a polarizer with a variable transmission axis. Thus, the properties of DPSS lasers and the relationship between power output and infarct size were explored. Results DPSS laser beam intensity showed considerable variation. Either a polarizer or a variable neutral density filter allowed adjustment of a polarized laser beam to the desired intensity. When the beam was unpolarized, the experimenter was restricted to using a variable neutral density filter. Comparison with existing method(s) Our refined approach includes continuous monitoring of DPSS laser intensity via beam sampling using a pellicle beamsplitter and photodiode sensor. This guarantees the desired beam intensity at the targeted brain area during stroke induction, with the intensity controlled either through a polarizer or variable neutral density filter. Conclusions Continuous monitoring and control of laser beam intensity is critical for ensuring consistent infarct size. PMID:25840363

  13. Characterization of random scattering media and related information retrieval

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Zhenyu

    There has been substantial interest in optical imaging in and through random media in applications as diverse as environmental sensing and tumor detection. The rich scatter environment also leads to multiple paths or channels, which may provide higher capacity for communication. Coherent light passing through random media produces an intensity speckle pattern when imaged, as a result of multiple scatter and the imaging optics. When polarized coherent light is used, the speckle pattern is sensitive to the polarization state, depending on the amount of scatter, and such measurements provide information about the random medium. This may form the basis for enhanced imaging of random media and provide information on the scatterers themselves. Second and third order correlations over laser scan frequency are shown to lead to the ensemble averaged temporal impulse response, with sensitivity to the polarization state in the more weakly scattering regime. A new intensity interferometer is introduced that provides information about two signals incident on a scattering medium. The two coherent beams, which are not necessarily overlapping, interfere in a scattering medium. A sinusoidal modulation in the second order intensity correlation with laser scan frequency is shown to be related to the relative delay of the two incident beams. An intensity spatial correlation over input position reveals that decorrelation occurs over a length comparable to the incident beam size. Such decorrelation is also related to the amount of scatter. Remarkably, with two beams incident at different angles, the intensity correlation over the scan position has a sinusoidal modulation that is related to the incidence angle difference between the two input beams. This spatial correlation over input position thus provides information about input wavevectors.

  14. Self-focusing Distance of Very High Power Laser Pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fibich, Gadi; Eisenmann, Shmuel; Ilan, Boaz; Erlich, Yossi; Fraenkel, Moshe; Henis, Zohar; Gaeta, Alexander L.; Zigler, Arie

    2005-07-01

    We show numerically for continuous-wave beams and experimentally for femtosecond pulses propagating in air, that the collapse distance of intense laser beams in a bulk Kerr medium scales as 1/P^1/2 for input powers P that are moderately above the critical power for self focusing, but that at higher powers the collapse distance scales as 1/P.

  15. Link Performance Analysis of a Ship-to-Ship Laser Communication System

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-03-01

    the optical output by a modulating signal. Direct detection requires only the intensity, and not the phase information, of the input signal to...links have a higher signal-to-noise ratio ( ) as compared to RF link. However, at approximately 108 km, the SNR for the optical links is much... optical signal received is mixed with a light signal generated from a local oscillator laser (LO-laser). The combined signals are then impinged onto the

  16. Interface module for transverse energy input to dye laser modules

    DOEpatents

    English, R.E. Jr.; Johnson, S.A.

    1994-10-11

    An interface module for transverse energy input to dye laser modules is provided particularly for the purpose of delivering enhancing transverse energy beams in the form of illumination bar to the lasing zone of a dye laser device, in particular to a dye laser amplifier. The preferred interface module includes an optical fiber array having a plurality of optical fibers arrayed in a co-planar fashion with their distal ends receiving coherent laser energy from an enhancing laser source, and their proximal ends delivered into a relay structure. The proximal ends of the optical fibers are arrayed so as to be coplanar and to be aimed generally at a common point. The transverse energy beam array delivered from the optical fiber array is acted upon by an optical element array to produce an illumination bar which has a cross section in the form of a elongated rectangle at the position of the lasing window. The illumination bar is selected to have substantially uniform intensity throughout. 5 figs.

  17. Arrangement for multiplexing and intensity splitting light beams for interface into fiber optic cables

    DOEpatents

    Johnson, Steve A.

    1990-01-01

    An arrangement especially suitable for use in a laser apparatus for converting a plurality of different input light beams, for example copper vapor laser beams, into a plurality of substantially identical light beams is disclosed herein. This arrangement utilizes an optical mixing bar which is preferably integrally formed as a single unit and which includes a main body for mixing light therein, a flat input surface on one end of the main body, and a multi-faceted output face on the opposite end of the main body. This arrangement also includes means for directing the plurality of different input light beams onto the input face of the mixing base, whereby to cause the different beams to mix within the main body of the mixing bar and exit the latter from its multi-faceted output face as the desired plurality of substantially identical output beams.

  18. Laser fluence dependence on emission dynamics of ultrafast laser induced copper plasma

    DOE PAGES

    Anoop, K. K.; Harilal, S. S.; Philip, Reji; ...

    2016-11-14

    The characteristic emission features of a laser-produced plasma strongly depend strongly on the laser fluence. We investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of neutrals and ions in femtosecond laser (800 nm, ≈ 40 fs, Ti:Sapphire) induced copper plasma in vacuum using both optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and spectrally resolved two-dimensional (2D) imaging methods over a wide fluence range of 0.5 J/cm 2-77.5 J/cm 2. 2D fast gated monochromatic images showed distinct plume splitting between the neutral and ions especially at moderate to higher fluence ranges. OES studies at low to moderate laser fluence regime confirm intense neutral line emission overmore » the ion emission whereas this trend changes at higher laser fluence with dominance of the latter. This evidences a clear change in the physical processes involved in femtosecond laser matter interaction at high input laser intensity. The obtained ion dynamics resulting from the OES, and spectrally resolved 2D imaging are compared with charged particle measurement employing Faraday cup and Langmuir probe and results showed good correlation.« less

  19. Propagation of ultrashort laser pulses in water: linear absorption and onset of nonlinear spectral transformation.

    PubMed

    Sokolov, Alexei V; Naveira, Lucas M; Poudel, Milan P; Strohaber, James; Trendafilova, Cynthia S; Buck, William C; Wang, Jieyu; Strycker, Benjamin D; Wang, Chao; Schuessler, Hans; Kolomenskii, Alexandre; Kattawar, George W

    2010-01-20

    We study propagation of short laser pulses through water and use a spectral hole filling technique to essentially perform a sensitive balanced comparison of absorption coefficients for pulses of different duration. This study is motivated by an alleged violation of the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law at low light intensities, where the pulse propagation is expected to be linear, and by a possible observation of femtosecond optical precursors in water. We find that at low intensities, absorption of laser light is determined solely by its spectrum and does not directly depend on the pulse duration, in agreement with our earlier work and in contradiction to some work of others. However, as the laser fluence is increased, interaction of light with water becomes nonlinear, causing energy exchange among the pulse's spectral components and resulting in peak-intensity dependent (and therefore pulse-duration dependent) transmission. For 30 fs pulses at 800 nm center wavelength, we determine the onset of nonlinear propagation effects to occur at a peak value of about 0.12 mJ/cm(2) of input laser energy fluence.

  20. Solid-state laser source of narrowband ultraviolet B light for skin disease care

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tarasov, Aleksandr A.; Chu, Hong

    2013-03-01

    We report about the development of all-solid-state laser source of narrowband UV-B light for medical applications. The device is based on a gain-switched Ti: Sapphire laser with volume Bragg grating, pumped at 532 nm and operating at 931.8 nm, followed by a third harmonic generator and a fiber optic beam homogenizer. The maximum available pulse energy exceeded 5 mJ at 310.6 nm, with a pulse repetition rates of 50 Hz. The output characteristics satisfy the medical requirements for psoriasis and vitiligo treatment. A new optical scheme for third harmonic generation enhancement at moderate levels of input intensities is proposed and investigated. As a result, 40% harmonic efficiency was obtained, when input pulse power was only 300 kW.

  1. Design and characteristic analysis of shaping optics for optical trepanning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeng, D.; Latham, W. P.; Kar, A.

    2005-08-01

    Optical trepanning is a new laser drilling method using an annular beam. The annular beams allow numerous irradiance profiles to supply laser energy to the workpiece and thus provide more flexibility in affecting the hole quality than a traditional circular laser beam. The refractive axicon system has been designed to generating a collimated annular beam. In this article, calculations of intensity distributions produced by this refractive system are made by evaluating the Kirchhoff-Fresnel diffraction. It is shown that the refractive system is able to transform a Gaussian beam into a full Gaussian annular beam. The base angle of the axicon lens, input laser beam diameter and intensity profiles are found to be important factors for the axcion refractive system. Their effects on the annular beam profiles are analyzed based on the numerical solutions of the diffraction patterns.

  2. Anomalous optical emission in hot dense oxygen

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Santoro, Mario; Gregoryanz, Eugene; Mao, Ho-kwang; Hemley, Russell J.

    2007-11-01

    We report the observation of unusually strong, broad-band optical emission peaked between 590 and 650 nm when solid and fluid oxygen are heated by a near infrared laser at pressures from 3 to 46 GPa. In situ Raman spectra of oxygen were collected and corresponding temperatures were measured from the Stokes/anti-Stokes intensity ratios of vibrational transitions. The intense optical emission overwhelmed the Raman spectrum at temperatures exceeding 750 K. The spectrum was found to be much narrower than Planck-type thermal emission, and the intensity increase with input power was much steeper than expected for the thermal emission. The result places an important general caveat on calculating temperatures based on optical emission spectra in high-pressure laser-heating experiments. The intense emission in oxygen is photo-induced rather than being purely thermal, through multiphoton or multi-step single photon absorption processes related to the interaction with infrared radiation. The results suggest that short lived ionic species are induced by this laser-matter interaction.

  3. Interface module for transverse energy input to dye laser modules

    DOEpatents

    English, Jr., Ronald E.; Johnson, Steve A.

    1994-01-01

    An interface module (10) for transverse energy input to dye laser modules is provided particularly for the purpose of delivering enhancing transverse energy beams (36) in the form of illumination bar (54) to the lasing zone (18) of a dye laser device, in particular to a dye laser amplifier (12). The preferred interface module (10) includes an optical fiber array (30) having a plurality of optical fibers (38) arrayed in a co-planar fashion with their distal ends (44) receiving coherent laser energy from an enhancing laser source (46), and their proximal ends (4) delivered into a relay structure (3). The proximal ends (42) of the optical fibers (38) are arrayed so as to be coplanar and to be aimed generally at a common point. The transverse energy beam array (36) delivered from the optical fiber array (30) is acted upon by an optical element array (34) to produce an illumination bar (54) which has a cross section in the form of a elongated rectangle at the position of the lasing window (18). The illumination bar (54) is selected to have substantially uniform intensity throughout.

  4. Short rise time intense electron beam generator

    DOEpatents

    Olson, Craig L.

    1987-01-01

    A generator for producing an intense relativistic electron beam having a subnanosecond current rise time includes a conventional generator of intense relativistic electrons feeding into a short electrically conductive drift tube including a cavity containing a working gas at a low enough pressure to prevent the input beam from significantly ionizing the working gas. Ionizing means such as a laser simultaneously ionize the entire volume of working gas in the cavity to generate an output beam having a rise time less than one nanosecond.

  5. Short rise time intense electron beam generator

    DOEpatents

    Olson, C.L.

    1984-03-16

    A generator for producing an intense relativisitc electron beam having a subnanosecond current rise time includes a conventional generator of intense relativistic electrons feeding into a short electrically conductive drift tube including a cavity containing a working gas at a low enough pressure to prevent the input beam from significantly ionizing the working gas. Ionizing means such as a laser simultaneously ionize the entire volume of working gas in the cavity to generate an output beam having a rise time less than one nanosecond.

  6. Optical diagnostics integrated with laser spark delivery system

    DOEpatents

    Yalin, Azer [Fort Collins, CO; Willson, Bryan [Fort Collins, CO; Defoort, Morgan [Fort Collins, CO; Joshi, Sachin [Fort Collins, CO; Reynolds, Adam [Fort Collins, CO

    2008-09-02

    A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

  7. Fiber laser coupled optical spark delivery system

    DOEpatents

    Yalin, Azer [Fort Collins, CO; Willson, Bryan [Fort Collins, CO; Defoort, Morgan [Fort Collins, CO; Joshi, Sachin [Fort Collins, CO; Reynolds, Adam [Fort Collins, CO

    2008-03-04

    A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

  8. Research on High-Intensity Picosecond Pump Laser in Short Pulse Optical Parametric Amplification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pan, Xue; Peng, Yu-Jie; Wang, Jiang-Feng; Lu, Xing-Hua; Ouyang, Xiao-Ping; Chen, Jia-Lin; Jiang, You-En; Fan, Wei; Li, Xue-Chun

    2013-01-01

    A 527 nm pump laser generating 1.7 mJ energy with peak power of more than 0.12 GW is demonstrated. The theoretical simulation result shows that it has 106 gain in the picosecond-pump optical parametric chirped pulse amplification when the pump laser peak power is 0.1 GW and the intensity is more than 5 GW/cm2, and that it can limit the parametric fluorescence in the picosecond time scale of pump duration. The pump laser system adopts a master-oscillator power amplifier, which integrates a more than 30 pJ fiber-based oscillator with a 150 μJ regenerative amplifier and a relay-imaged four-pass diode-pump Nd glass amplifier to generate a 1 Hz top hat spatial beam and about 14 ps temporal Guassian pulse with <2% pulse-to-pulse energy stability. The output energy of the power amplifier is limited to 4 mJ for B-integral concern, and the frequency doubling efficiency can reach 65% with input intensity 10 GW/cm2.

  9. Adjustable repetition-rate multiplication of optical pulses using fractional temporal Talbot effect with preceded binary intensity modulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Qijie; Zheng, Bofang; Shu, Chester

    2017-05-01

    We demonstrate a simple approach for adjustable multiplication of optical pulses in a fiber using the temporal Talbot effect. Binary electrical patterns are used to control the multiplication factor in our approach. The input 10 GHz picosecond pulses are pedestal-free and are shaped directly from a CW laser. The pulses are then intensity modulated by different sets of binary patterns prior to entering a fiber of fixed dispersion. Tunable repetition-rate multiplication by different factors of 2, 4, and 8 have been achieved and up to 80 GHz pulse train has been experimentally generated. We also evaluate numerically the influence of the extinction ratio of the intensity modulator on the performance of the multiplied pulse train. In addition, the impact of the modulator bias on the uniformity of the output pulses has also been analyzed through simulation and experiment and a good agreement is reached. Last, we perform numerical simulation on the RF spectral characteristics of the output pulses. The insensitivity of the signal-to-subharmonic noise ratio (SSNR) to the laser linewidth shows that our multiplication scheme is highly tolerant to the incoherence of the input optical pulses.

  10. Mode-selective mapping and control of vectorial nonlinear-optical processes in multimode photonic-crystal fibers.

    PubMed

    Hu, Ming-Lie; Wang, Ching-Yue; Song, You-Jian; Li, Yan-Feng; Chai, Lu; Serebryannikov, Evgenii; Zheltikov, Aleksei

    2006-02-06

    We demonstrate an experimental technique that allows a mapping of vectorial nonlinear-optical processes in multimode photonic-crystal fibers (PCFs). Spatial and polarization modes of PCFs are selectively excited in this technique by varying the tilt angle of the input beam and rotating the polarization of the input field. Intensity spectra of the PCF output plotted as a function of the input field power and polarization then yield mode-resolved maps of nonlinear-optical interactions in multimode PCFs, facilitating the analysis and control of nonlinear-optical transformations of ultrashort laser pulses in such fibers.

  11. Fiber coupled optical spark delivery system

    DOEpatents

    Yalin, Azer; Willson, Bryan; Defoort, Morgan

    2008-08-12

    A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, the spark delivery system including a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. In addition, the laser delivery assembly includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the assembly may be used to create a spark in a combustion engine. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, a method of using the spark delivery system is provided. In addition, a method of choosing an appropriate fiber for creating a spark using a laser beam is also presented.

  12. Eleventh International Laser Radar Conference, Wisconsin University-Madison, 21-25 June 1982.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-06-01

    an aircraft altitude, Iif(x) is an intensity of if beat signal in the sky at the point x, I is the laser power , y is the albedo of the ground surface...the aircraft flight path 2) Minimize degradation or power loss to the input/output path 3) Provide variable scan time points at rates up to .25...water particles. A lidar measurement at a specific point , therefore, is not necessarily representative of the entire globe. This will be discussed with

  13. Photovoltaic cells for laser power beaming

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Landis, Geoffrey A.; Jain, Raj K.

    1992-01-01

    To better understand cell response to pulsed illumination at high intensity, the PC-1DC finite-element computer model was used to analyze the response of solar cells to pulsed laser illumination. Over 50% efficiency was calculated for both InP and GaAs cells under steady-state illumination near the optimum wavelength. The time-dependent response of a high-efficiency GaAs concentrator cell to a laser pulse was modelled, and the effect of laser intensity, wavelength, and bias point was studied. Designing a cell to accommodate pulsed input can be done either by accepting the pulsed output and designing a cell to minimize adverse effects due to series resistance and inductance, or to design a cell with a long enough minority carrier lifetime, so that the output of the cell will not follow the pulse shape. Two such design possibilities are a monolithic, low-inductance voltage-adding GaAs cell, or a high-efficiency, light-trapping silicon cell. The advantages of each design will be discussed.

  14. Numerical analysis of amplification of picosecond pulses in a THL-100 laser system with an increase in the pump energy of the XeF(C – A) amplifier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yastremskii, A. G.; Ivanov, N. G.; Losev, V. F.

    2018-03-01

    Energy characteristics of laser radiation with a pulse width of 50 ps at an elevated pump energy of the XeF(C – A) amplifier of a hybrid THL-100 laser system are analysed numerically. The dynamics of the change in the energy and maximum intensity of laser radiation with an increase in the pump energy of the XeF(C – A) amplifier from 270 to 400 J is investigated. The results of studying the influence of the input beam divergence on the energy characteristics of the output beam are presented. It is shown that, for the existing system of mirrors, an increase in the pump energy to 400 J leads to an increase in the output energy from 3.2 to 5.5 J at a maximum radiation intensity of 57 GW cm-2. A system of amplifier mirrors with 27 laser beam passes and enlarged divergence angle of the amplified beam is considered. Theoretically, the proposed system of mirrors allows one to increase the laser pulse energy to 7.5 J at a maximum intensity of no more than 14.8 GW cm-2. The calculated efficiency of the conversion of the pump energy absorbed in the amplifier gas chamber into the lasing energy exceeds 3% in this regime.

  15. Computer Generated Holography with Intensity-Graded Patterns

    PubMed Central

    Conti, Rossella; Assayag, Osnath; de Sars, Vincent; Guillon, Marc; Emiliani, Valentina

    2016-01-01

    Computer Generated Holography achieves patterned illumination at the sample plane through phase modulation of the laser beam at the objective back aperture. This is obtained by using liquid crystal-based spatial light modulators (LC-SLMs), which modulate the spatial phase of the incident laser beam. A variety of algorithms is employed to calculate the phase modulation masks addressed to the LC-SLM. These algorithms range from simple gratings-and-lenses to generate multiple diffraction-limited spots, to iterative Fourier-transform algorithms capable of generating arbitrary illumination shapes perfectly tailored on the base of the target contour. Applications for holographic light patterning include multi-trap optical tweezers, patterned voltage imaging and optical control of neuronal excitation using uncaging or optogenetics. These past implementations of computer generated holography used binary input profile to generate binary light distribution at the sample plane. Here we demonstrate that using graded input sources, enables generating intensity graded light patterns and extend the range of application of holographic light illumination. At first, we use intensity-graded holograms to compensate for LC-SLM position dependent diffraction efficiency or sample fluorescence inhomogeneity. Finally we show that intensity-graded holography can be used to equalize photo evoked currents from cells expressing different levels of chanelrhodopsin2 (ChR2), one of the most commonly used optogenetics light gated channels, taking into account the non-linear dependence of channel opening on incident light. PMID:27799896

  16. Pulse laser imaging amplifier for advanced ladar systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khizhnyak, Anatoliy; Markov, Vladimir; Tomov, Ivan; Murrell, David

    2016-05-01

    Security measures sometimes require persistent surveillance of government, military and public areas Borders, bridges, sport arenas, airports and others are often surveilled with low-cost cameras. Their low-light performance can be enhanced with laser illuminators; however various operational scenarios may require a low-intensity laser illumination with the object-scattered light intensity lower than the sensitivity of the Ladar image detector. This paper discusses a novel type of high-gain optical image amplifier. The approach enables time-synchronization of the incoming and amplifying signals with accuracy <= 1 ns. The technique allows the incoming signal to be amplified without the need to match the input spectrum to the cavity modes. Instead, the incoming signal is accepted within the spectral band of the amplifier. We have gauged experimentally the performance of the amplifier with a 40 dB gain and an angle of view 20 mrad.

  17. Approaches to solar cell design for pulsed laser power receivers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jain, Raj K.; Landis, Geoffrey A.

    1993-01-01

    Using a laser to beam power from Earth to a photovoltaic receiver in space could be a technology with applications to many space missions. Extremely high average-power lasers would be required in a wavelength range of 700-1000 nm. However, high-power lasers inherently operate in a pulsed format. Existing solar cells are not well designed to respond to pulsed incident power. To better understand cell response to pulsed illumination at high intensity, the PC-1D finite-element computer model was used to analyze the response of solar cells to continuous and pulsed laser illumination. Over 50 percent efficiency was calculated for both InP and GaAs cells under steady-state illumination near the optimum wavelength. The time-dependent response of a high-efficiency GaAs concentrator cell to a laser pulse was modeled, and the effect of laser intensity, wavelength, and bias point was studied. Three main effects decrease the efficiency of a solar cell under pulsed laser illumination: series resistance, L-C 'ringing' with the output circuit, and current limiting due to the output inductance. The problems can be solved either by changing the pulse shape or designing a solar cell to accept the pulsed input. Cell design possibilities discussed are a high-efficiency, light-trapping silicon cell, and a monolithic, low-inductance GaAs cell.

  18. Underwater acoustic wave generation by filamentation of terawatt ultrashort laser pulses.

    PubMed

    Jukna, Vytautas; Jarnac, Amélie; Milián, Carles; Brelet, Yohann; Carbonnel, Jérôme; André, Yves-Bernard; Guillermin, Régine; Sessarego, Jean-Pierre; Fattaccioli, Dominique; Mysyrowicz, André; Couairon, Arnaud; Houard, Aurélien

    2016-06-01

    Acoustic signals generated by filamentation of ultrashort terawatt laser pulses in water are characterized experimentally. Measurements reveal a strong influence of input pulse duration on the shape and intensity of the acoustic wave. Numerical simulations of the laser pulse nonlinear propagation and the subsequent water hydrodynamics and acoustic wave generation show that the strong acoustic emission is related to the mechanism of superfilamention in water. The elongated shape of the plasma volume where energy is deposited drives the far-field profile of the acoustic signal, which takes the form of a radially directed pressure wave with a single oscillation and a very broad spectrum.

  19. Techniques for optically compressing light intensity ranges

    DOEpatents

    Rushford, Michael C.

    1989-01-01

    A pin hole camera assembly for use in viewing an object having a relatively large light intensity range, for example a crucible containing molten uranium in an atomic vapor laser isotope separator (AVLIS) system is disclosed herein. The assembly includes means for optically compressing the light intensity range appearing at its input sufficient to make it receivable and decipherable by a standard video camera. A number of different means for compressing the intensity range are disclosed. These include the use of photogray glass, the use of a pair of interference filters, and the utilization of a new liquid crystal notch filter in combination with an interference filter.

  20. Techniques for optically compressing light intensity ranges

    DOEpatents

    Rushford, M.C.

    1989-03-28

    A pin hole camera assembly for use in viewing an object having a relatively large light intensity range, for example a crucible containing molten uranium in an atomic vapor laser isotope separator (AVLIS) system is disclosed herein. The assembly includes means for optically compressing the light intensity range appearing at its input sufficient to make it receivable and decipherable by a standard video camera. A number of different means for compressing the intensity range are disclosed. These include the use of photogray glass, the use of a pair of interference filters, and the utilization of a new liquid crystal notch filter in combination with an interference filter. 18 figs.

  1. Absorptivity Measurements and Heat Source Modeling to Simulate Laser Cladding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wirth, Florian; Eisenbarth, Daniel; Wegener, Konrad

    The laser cladding process gains importance, as it does not only allow the application of surface coatings, but also additive manufacturing of three-dimensional parts. In both cases, process simulation can contribute to process optimization. Heat source modeling is one of the main issues for an accurate model and simulation of the laser cladding process. While the laser beam intensity distribution is readily known, the other two main effects on the process' heat input are non-trivial. Namely the measurement of the absorptivity of the applied materials as well as the powder attenuation. Therefore, calorimetry measurements were carried out. The measurement method and the measurement results for laser cladding of Stellite 6 on structural steel S 235 and for the processing of Inconel 625 are presented both using a CO2 laser as well as a high power diode laser (HPDL). Additionally, a heat source model is deduced.

  2. Impact of input FBG reflectivity and forward pump power on RIN transfer in ultralong Raman laser amplifiers.

    PubMed

    Rizzelli, Giuseppe; Iqbal, Md Asif; Gallazzi, Francesca; Rosa, Paweł; Tan, Mingming; Ania-Castañón, Juan Diego; Krzczanowicz, Lukasz; Corredera, Pedro; Phillips, Ian; Forysiak, Wladek; Harper, Paul

    2016-12-12

    Relative intensity noise transfer from the pump to the signal in 2nd-order ultra-long Raman laser amplifiers for telecommunications is characterized numerically and experimentally. Our results showcase the need for careful adjustment of the front FBG reflectivity and the relative contribution of forward pump power, and their impact on performance. Finally, our analysis is verified through a 10 × 30 GBaud DP-QPSK transmission experiment, showing a large Q factor penalty associated with the combination of high forward pumping and high reflectivities.

  3. Characterization of Fluorescent Polystyrene Microspheres for Advanced Flow Diagnostics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maisto, Pietro M. F.; Lowe, K. Todd; Byun, Guibo; Simpson, Roger; Vercamp, Max; Danley, Jason E.; Koh, Brian; Tiemsin, Pacita; Danehy, Paul M.; Wohl, Christopher J.

    2013-01-01

    Fluorescent dye-doped polystyrene latex microspheres (PSLs) are being developed for velocimetry and scalar measurements in variable property flows. Two organic dyes, Rhodamine B (RhB) and dichlorofluorescence (DCF), are examined to assess laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) properties for flow imaging applications and single-shot temperature measurements. A major interest in the current research is the application of safe dyes, thus DCF is of particular interest, while RhB is used as a benchmark. Success is demonstrated for single-point laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and also imaging fluorescence, excited via a continuous wave 2 W laser beam, for exposures down to 10 ms. In contrast, when exciting with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 200 mJ/pulse, no fluorescence was detected, even when integrating tens of pulses. We show that this is due to saturation of the LIF signal at relatively low excitation intensities, 4-5 orders of magnitude lower than the pulsed laser intensity. A two-band LIF technique is applied in a heated jet, indicating that the technique effectively removes interfering inputs such as particle diameter variation. Temperature measurement uncertainties are estimated based upon the variance measured for the two-band LIF intensity ratio and the achievable dye temperature sensitivity, indicating that particles developed to date may provide about +/-12.5 C precision, while future improvements in dye temperature sensitivity and signal quality may enable single-shot temperature measurements with sub-degree precision.

  4. Model-based aberration correction in a closed-loop wavefront-sensor-less adaptive optics system.

    PubMed

    Song, H; Fraanje, R; Schitter, G; Kroese, H; Vdovin, G; Verhaegen, M

    2010-11-08

    In many scientific and medical applications, such as laser systems and microscopes, wavefront-sensor-less (WFSless) adaptive optics (AO) systems are used to improve the laser beam quality or the image resolution by correcting the wavefront aberration in the optical path. The lack of direct wavefront measurement in WFSless AO systems imposes a challenge to achieve efficient aberration correction. This paper presents an aberration correction approach for WFSlss AO systems based on the model of the WFSless AO system and a small number of intensity measurements, where the model is identified from the input-output data of the WFSless AO system by black-box identification. This approach is validated in an experimental setup with 20 static aberrations having Kolmogorov spatial distributions. By correcting N=9 Zernike modes (N is the number of aberration modes), an intensity improvement from 49% of the maximum value to 89% has been achieved in average based on N+5=14 intensity measurements. With the worst initial intensity, an improvement from 17% of the maximum value to 86% has been achieved based on N+4=13 intensity measurements.

  5. Gain dynamics of clad-pumped Yb-fiber amplifier and intensity noise control.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Jian; Guiraud, Germain; Floissat, Florian; Gouhier, Benoit; Rota-Rodrigo, Sergio; Traynor, Nicholas; Santarelli, Giorgio

    2017-01-09

    Gain dynamics study provides an attractive method to understand the intensity noise behavior in fiber amplifiers. Here, the gain dynamics of a medium power (5 W) clad-pumped Yb-fiber amplifier is experimentally evaluated by measuring the frequency domain transfer functions for the input seed and pump lasers from 10 Hz to 1 MHz. We study gain dynamic behavior of the fiber amplifier in the presence of significant residual pump power (compared to the seed power), showing that the seed transfer function is strongly saturated at low Fourier frequencies while the pump power modulation transfer function is nearly unaffected. The characterization of relative intensity noise (RIN) of the fiber amplifier is well explained by the gain dynamics analysis. Finally, a 600 kHz bandwidth feedback loop using an acoustic-optical modulator (AOM) controlling the seed intensity is successfully demonstrated to suppress the broadband laser intensity noise. A maximum noise reduction of about 30 dB is achieved leading to a RIN of -152 dBc/Hz (~1 kHz-10 MHz) at 2.5 W output power.

  6. Second-harmonic generation of a dual-frequency laser in a MgO:PPLN crystal.

    PubMed

    Kang, Ying; Yang, Suhui; Brunel, Marc; Cheng, Lijun; Zhao, Changming; Zhang, Haiyang

    2017-04-10

    A dual-frequency CW laser at a wavelength of 1.064 μm is frequency doubled in a MgO:PPLN nonlinear crystal. The fundamental dual-frequency laser has a tunable beat note from 125 MHz to 175 MHz. A laser-diode pumped fiber amplifier is used to amplify the dual-frequency fundamental output to a maximum power of 50 W before frequency doubling. The maximum output power of the green light is 1.75 W when the input fundamental power is 12 W, corresponding to a frequency doubling efficiency of 14.6%. After frequency doubling, green light with modulation frequencies in two bands from 125 MHz to 175 MHz and from 250 MHz to 350 MHz is achieved simultaneously. The relative intensities of the beat notes at the two bands can be adjusted by changing the relative intensities at different frequencies of the fundamental light. The spectral width and frequency stabilities of the beat notes in fundamental wave and green light are also measured, respectively. The modulated green light has potential applications in underwater ranging, communication, and imaging.

  7. Stochastic Models for Laser Propagation in Atmospheric Turbulence.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leland, Robert Patton

    In this dissertation, stochastic models for laser propagation in atmospheric turbulence are considered. A review of the existing literature on laser propagation in the atmosphere and white noise theory is presented, with a view toward relating the white noise integral and Ito integral approaches. The laser beam intensity is considered as the solution to a random Schroedinger equation, or forward scattering equation. This model is formulated in a Hilbert space context as an abstract bilinear system with a multiplicative white noise input, as in the literature. The model is also modeled in the Banach space of Fresnel class functions to allow the plane wave case and the application of path integrals. Approximate solutions to the Schroedinger equation of the Trotter-Kato product form are shown to converge for each white noise sample path. The product forms are shown to be physical random variables, allowing an Ito integral representation. The corresponding Ito integrals are shown to converge in mean square, providing a white noise basis for the Stratonovich correction term associated with this equation. Product form solutions for Ornstein -Uhlenbeck process inputs were shown to converge in mean square as the input bandwidth was expanded. A digital simulation of laser propagation in strong turbulence was used to study properties of the beam. Empirical distributions for the irradiance function were estimated from simulated data, and the log-normal and Rice-Nakagami distributions predicted by the classical perturbation methods were seen to be inadequate. A gamma distribution fit the simulated irradiance distribution well in the vicinity of the boresight. Statistics of the beam were seen to converge rapidly as the bandwidth of an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process was expanded to its white noise limit. Individual trajectories of the beam were presented to illustrate the distortion and bending of the beam due to turbulence. Feynman path integrals were used to calculate an approximate expression for the mean of the beam intensity without using the Markov, or white noise, assumption, and to relate local variations in the turbulence field to the behavior of the beam by means of two approximations.

  8. Development of all-solid-state coherent 589 nm light source: toward the realization of sodium lidar and laser guide star adaptive optics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saito, Norihito; Akagawa, Kazuyuki; Kato, Mayumi; Takazawa, Akira; Hayano, Yutaka; Saito, Yoshihiko; Ito, Meguru; Takami, Hideki; Iye, Masanori; Wada, Satoshi

    2006-12-01

    We report an all-solid-state coherent 589 nm light source in single-pass sum-frequency generation (SFG) with actively mode-locked Nd:YAG lasers for the realization of sodium lidar and laser guide star adaptive optics. The Nd:YAG lasers are constructed as a LD-side-pumped configuration and are operated at 1064 and 1319 nm for 589 nm light generation in SFG. Output powers of 16.5 and 5.3 W at 1064 and 1319 nm are obtained with two pumping chambers. Each chamber consisted of three 80-W-LD arrays. Single transverse mode TEM 00; M2 ~1.1 is achieved with adjustment of cavity length considering thermal lens effect with increase of input LD power. The cavity length is set to approximately 1 m. Accordingly the mode-locked lasers are operated at a repetition rate of approximately 150 MHz. Synchronization of two pulse trains at 1064 and 1319 nm is accomplished by control of phase difference between two radio frequencies input in acousto-optic mode-lockers. Then temporal delay is controlled with a resolution of 37 ps/degree. Pump beams are mixed in periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPSLT) without an antireflection coating. The effective aperture and length of the crystal are 0.5 × 2 mm2 and 15 mm. When input intensity is set at 5.6 MW/cm , an average output power of 4.6 W is obtained at 589.159 nm. Precise tuning to the sodium D II line is accomplished by thermal control of etalons set in the Nd:YAG lasers. The output power at 589.159 nm is stably maintained within +/-1.2% for 8 hours.

  9. The improved z-scan technique: potentialities of the additional right-angle scattering channel and the input polarization control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Volchkov, S. S.; Yuvchenko, S. A.; Zimnyakov, D. A.

    2018-04-01

    The theoretical possibility of retrieving the additional information on the dielectric properties of the nanoparticles material by single scattering in suspensions was studied. We have demonstrated a method of recreating the dielectric function of the material in the fundamental absorption band using the closed aperture z-scanning with the simultaneous Rayleigh scattering intensity measurements and the polarization control of an input laser beam. A possibility to recreate the form factor of the non-spherical particles or anisotropic nonlinear sensitivity for the sphere-like particles was also observed.

  10. A ten-element array of individually addressable channeled-substrate-planar AlGaAs diode lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Carlin, D. B.; Goldstein, B.; Bednarz, J. P.; Harvey, M. G.; Dinkel, N. A.

    1987-01-01

    The fabrication of arrays of channeled-substrate-planar (CSP) AlGaAs diode lasers which emit up to 150 mW CW in a single spatial mode and are applicable to mulitchannel optical recording systems is described. The CSP diode lasers are incorporated in ten-array geometry, and each array is 1.95 nm in width and 100 microns in thickness and is cleaved to have a cavity length of 200 microns and coated to produce 90-percent reflectivity on the back facet and 10-percent reflectivity on the front facet. The array is attached to a thermoelectrically cooled submount. The optical output power versus input current characteristics for the array are evaluated, and the lateral far-field intensity profiles for each of the lasers (at 30 mW CW) and CW spectra of the lasers are analyzed.

  11. Laser debonding of ceramic orthodontic brackets: a theoretical approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kearney, Kristine L.; Marangoni, Roy D.; Rickabaugh, Jeff L.

    1992-06-01

    Ceramic brackets are an esthetic substitute for conventional stainless steel brackets in orthodontic patients. However, ceramic brackets are more brittle and have higher bond strengths which can lead to bracket breakage and enamel damage during debonding. It has been demonstrated that various lasers can facilitate ceramic bracket removal. One mechanism with the laser is through the softening of the bracket adhesive. The high energy density from the laser on the bracket and adhesive can have a resultant deleterious thermal effect on the pulp of the tooth which may lead to pulpal death. A theoretical computer model of bracket, adhesive, enamel and dentin has been generated for predicting heat flow through this system. Heat fluxes at varying intensities and modes have been input into the program and the resultant temperatures at various points or nodes were determined. Further pursuit should lead to optimum parameters for laser debonding which would have minimal effects on the pulp.

  12. 2 micron femtosecond fiber laser

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Jian; Wan, Peng; Yang, Lihmei

    2014-07-29

    Methods and systems for generating femtosecond fiber laser pulses are disclose, including generating a signal laser pulse from a seed laser oscillator; using a first amplifier stage comprising an input and an output, wherein the signal laser pulse is coupled into the input of the first stage amplifier and the output of the first amplifier stage emits an amplified and stretched signal laser pulse; using an amplifier chain comprising an input and an output, wherein the amplified and stretched signal laser pulse from the output of the first amplifier stage is coupled into the input of the amplifier chain and the output of the amplifier chain emits a further amplified, stretched signal laser pulse. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

  13. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jang, Junhwan; Hwang, Sungui; Park, Kyihwan, E-mail: khpark@gist.ac.kr

    To utilize a time-of-flight-based laser scanner as a distance measurement sensor, the measurable distance and accuracy are the most important performance parameters to consider. For these purposes, the optical system and electronic signal processing of the laser scanner should be optimally designed in order to reduce a distance error caused by the optical crosstalk and wide dynamic range input. Optical system design for removing optical crosstalk problem is proposed in this work. Intensity control is also considered to solve the problem of a phase-shift variation in the signal processing circuit caused by object reflectivity. The experimental results for optical systemmore » and signal processing design are performed using 3D measurements.« less

  14. Laser production and heating of plasma for MHD application

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jalufka, N. W.

    1988-01-01

    Experiments have been made on the production and heating of plasmas by the absorption of laser radiation. These experiments were performed to ascertain the feasibility of using laser-produced or laser-heated plasmas as the input for a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator. Such a system would have a broad application as a laser-to-electricity energy converter for space power transmission. Experiments with a 100-J-pulsed CO2 laser were conducted to investigate the breakdown of argon gas by a high-intensity laser beam, the parameters (electron density and temperature) of the plasma produced, and the formation and propagation of laser-supported detonation (LSD) waves. Experiments were also carried out using a 1-J-pulsed CO2 laser to heat the plasma produced in a shock tube. The shock-tube hydrogen plasma reached electron densities of approximately 10 to the 17th/cu cm and electron temperatures of approximately 1 eV. Absorption of the CO2 laser beam by the plasma was measured, and up to approximately 100 percent absorption was observed. Measurements with a small MHD generator showed that the energy extraction efficiency could be very large with values up to 56 percent being measured.

  15. Investigation of Saturation Effects in Ceramic Phosphors for Laser Lighting

    PubMed Central

    Krasnoshchoka, Anastasiia; Dam-Hansen, Carsten; Corell, Dennis Dan; Petersen, Paul Michael

    2017-01-01

    We report observations of saturation effects in a Ce:LuAG and Eu-doped nitride ceramic phosphor for conversion of blue laser light for white light generation. The luminous flux from the phosphors material increases linearly with the input power until saturation effects limit the conversion. It is shown that the temperature of the phosphor layer influences the saturation power level and the conversion efficiency. It is also shown that the correlated color temperature (CCT), phosphor conversion efficiency and color rendering index (CRI) are dependent both on the incident power and spot size diameter of the illumination. A phosphor conversion efficiency up to 140.8 lm/W with CRI of 89.4 was achieved. The saturation in a ceramic phosphor, when illuminated by high intensity laser diodes, is estimated to play the main role in limiting the available luminance from laser-based lighting systems. PMID:29292770

  16. Wavelength meter having single mode fiber optics multiplexed inputs

    DOEpatents

    Hackel, R.P.; Paris, R.D.; Feldman, M.

    1993-02-23

    A wavelength meter having a single mode fiber optics input is disclosed. The single mode fiber enables a plurality of laser beams to be multiplexed to form a multiplexed input to the wavelength meter. The wavelength meter can provide a determination of the wavelength of any one or all of the plurality of laser beams by suitable processing. Another aspect of the present invention is that one of the laser beams could be a known reference laser having a predetermined wavelength. Hence, the improved wavelength meter can provide an on-line calibration capability with the reference laser input as one of the plurality of laser beams.

  17. Wavelength meter having single mode fiber optics multiplexed inputs

    DOEpatents

    Hackel, Richard P.; Paris, Robert D.; Feldman, Mark

    1993-01-01

    A wavelength meter having a single mode fiber optics input is disclosed. The single mode fiber enables a plurality of laser beams to be multiplexed to form a multiplexed input to the wavelength meter. The wavelength meter can provide a determination of the wavelength of any one or all of the plurality of laser beams by suitable processing. Another aspect of the present invention is that one of the laser beams could be a known reference laser having a predetermined wavelength. Hence, the improved wavelength meter can provide an on-line calibration capability with the reference laser input as one of the plurality of laser beams.

  18. Proton probing of a relativistic laser interaction with near-critical plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Willingale, Louise; Zulick, C.; Thomas, A. G. R.; Maksimchuk, A.; Krushelnick, K.; Nilson, P. M.; Stoeckl, C.; Sangster, T. C.; Nazarov, W.

    2014-10-01

    The Omega EP laser (1000 J in 10 ps pulses) was used to investigate a relativistic intensity laser interaction with near-critical density plasma using a transverse proton beam to diagnose the large electromagnetic fields generated. A very low density foam target mounted in a washer provided the near-critical density conditions. The fields from a scaled, two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation were inputed into a particle-tracking code to create simulated proton probe images. This allows us to understand the origins of the complex features in the experimental images, including a rapidly expanding sheath field, evidence for ponderomotive channeling and fields at the foam-washer interface. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0002028.

  19. The effect of pre-plasma formation under nonlocal transport conditions for ultra-relativistic laser-plasma interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holec, M.; Nikl, J.; Vranic, M.; Weber, S.

    2018-04-01

    Interaction of high-power lasers with solid targets is in general strongly affected by the limited contrast available. The laser pre-pulse ionizes the target and produces a pre-plasma which can strongly modify the interaction of the main part of the laser pulse with the target. This is of particular importance for future experiments which will use laser intensities above 1021 W cm-2 and which are subject to the limited contrast. As a consequence the main part of the laser pulse will be modified while traversing the pre-plasma, interacting with it partially. A further complication arises from the fact that the interaction of a high-power pre-pulse with solid targets very often takes place under nonlocal transport conditions, i.e. the characteristic mean-free-path of the particles and photons is larger than the characteristic scale-lengths of density and temperature. The classical diffusion treatment of radiation and heat transport in the hydrodynamic model is then insufficient for the description of the pre-pulse physics. These phenomena also strongly modify the formation of the pre-plasma which in turn affects the propagation of the main laser pulse. In this paper nonlocal radiation-hydrodynamic simulations are carried out and serve as input for subsequent kinetic simulations of ultra-high intensity laser pulses interacting with the plasma in the ultra-relativistic regime. It is shown that the results of the kinetic simulations differ considerably whether a diffusive or nonlocal transport is used for the radiation-hydrodynamic simulations.

  20. Characterization of highly scattering media by measurement of diffusely backscattered polarized light

    DOEpatents

    Hielscher, Andreas H.; Mourant, Judith R.; Bigio, Irving J.

    2000-01-01

    An apparatus and method for recording spatially dependent intensity patterns of polarized light that is diffusely backscattered from highly scattering media are described. These intensity patterns can be used to differentiate different turbid media, such as polystyrene-sphere and biological-cell suspensions. Polarized light from a He-Ne laser (.lambda.=543 nm) is focused onto the surface of the scattering medium, and a surface area of approximately 4.times.4 cm centered on the light input point is imaged through polarization analysis optics onto a CCD camera. A variety of intensity patterns may be observed by varying the polarization state of the incident laser light and changing the analyzer configuration to detect different polarization components of the backscattered light. Experimental results for polystyrene-sphere and Intralipid suspensions demonstrate that the radial and azimuthal variations of the observed pattern depend on the concentration, size, and anisotropy factor, g, of the particles constituting the scattering medium. Measurements performed on biological cell suspensions show that intensity patterns can be used to differentiate between suspensions of cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Introduction of the Mueller-matrix for diffusely backscattered light, permits the selection of a subset of measurements which comprehensively describes the optical properties of backscattering media.

  1. Optical spectroscopy using gas-phase femtosecond laser filamentation.

    PubMed

    Odhner, Johanan; Levis, Robert

    2014-01-01

    Femtosecond laser filamentation occurs as a dynamic balance between the self-focusing and plasma defocusing of a laser pulse to produce ultrashort radiation as brief as a few optical cycles. This unique source has many properties that make it attractive as a nonlinear optical tool for spectroscopy, such as propagation at high intensities over extended distances, self-shortening, white-light generation, and the formation of an underdense plasma. The plasma channel that constitutes a single filament and whose position in space can be controlled by its input parameters can span meters-long distances, whereas multifilamentation of a laser beam can be sustained up to hundreds of meters in the atmosphere. In this review, we briefly summarize the current understanding and use of laser filaments for spectroscopic investigations of molecules. A theoretical framework of filamentation is presented, along with recent experimental evidence supporting the established understanding of filamentation. Investigations carried out on vibrational and rotational spectroscopy, filament-induced breakdown, fluorescence spectroscopy, and backward lasing are discussed.

  2. The behavior of gain and saturation characteristics versus temperature in a copper bromide laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mohammadpour Lima, S.; Behrouzinia, S.; Salem, M. K.; Elahei, M.; Khorasani, K.; Dorranian, D.

    2017-05-01

    A pair of copper bromide lasers in an oscillator-amplifier configuration was used to investigate the temperature dependence of the small-signal gain, saturation intensity, and output power of the laser. The observations were explained in terms of the electron temperature and energy levels of transition. An optimum electrical input power of 1.6 kW and a corresponding operational temperature of 510 °C were determined for the maximum values of these parameters. The balance between the microscopic parameters, such as stimulated emission cross-section, laser upper-level lifetime, and population inversion, which determine the behavior of the amplifying parameters and laser output power with respect to the operational temperature, has been investigated. We used the steady-state rate equation from the Hargrove model to determine the amplifying parameters, instead of the Frantz-Nodvik formula. The power extracted from the amplifier exceeds that achieved with the same device as the oscillator by more than 60%.

  3. On specular reflectivity measurements in high and low-contrast relativistic laser-plasma interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kemp, G. E.; Link, A.; Ping, Y.; McLean, H. S.; Patel, P. K.; Freeman, R. R.; Schumacher, D. W.; Tiedje, H. F.; Tsui, Y. Y.; Ramis, R.; Fedosejevs, R.

    2015-01-01

    Using both experiment and 2D3V particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we describe the use of specular reflectivity measurements to study relativistic (Iλ2 > 1018 W/cm2ṡμm2) laser-plasma interactions for both high and low-contrast 527 nm laser pulses on initially solid density aluminum targets. In the context of hot-electron generation, studies typically rely on diagnostics which, more-often-than-not, represent indirect processes driven by fast electrons transiting through solid density materials. Specular reflectivity measurements, however, can provide a direct measure of the interaction that is highly sensitive to how the EM fields and plasma profiles, critical input parameters for modeling of hot-electron generation, evolve near the interaction region. While the fields of interest occur near the relativistic critical electron density, experimental reflectivity measurements are obtained centimeters away from the interaction region, well after diffraction has fully manifested itself. Using a combination of PIC simulations with experimentally inspired conditions and an analytic, non-paraxial, pulse propagation algorithm, we calculate reflected pulse properties, both near and far from the interaction region, and compare with specular reflectivity measurements. The experiment results and PIC simulations demonstrate that specular reflectivity measurements are an extremely sensitive qualitative, and partially quantitative, indicator of initial laser/target conditions, ionization effects, and other details of intense laser-matter interactions. The techniques described can provide strong constraints on many systems of importance in ultra-intense laser interactions with matter.

  4. Surface Modification of ICF Target Capsules by Pulsed Laser Ablation

    DOE PAGES

    Carlson, Lane C.; Johnson, Michael A.; Bunn, Thomas L.

    2016-06-30

    Topographical modifications of spherical surfaces are imprinted on National Ignition Facility (NIF) target capsules by extending the capabilities of a recently developed full surface (4π) laser ablation and mapping apparatus. The laser ablation method combines the precision, energy density and long reach of a focused laser beam to pre-impose sinusoidal modulations on the outside surface of High Density Carbon (HDC) capsules and the inside surface of Glow Discharge Polymer (GDP) capsules. Sinusoidal modulations described in this paper have sub-micron to 10’s of microns vertical scale and wavelengths as small as 30 μm and as large as 200 μm. The modulatedmore » patterns are created by rastering a focused laser fired at discrete capsule surface locations for a specified number of pulses. The computer program developed to create these raster patterns uses inputs such as laser beam intensity profile, the material removal function, the starting surface figure and the desired surface figure. The patterns are optimized to minimize surface roughness. Lastly, in this paper, simulated surfaces are compared with actual ablated surfaces measured using confocal microscopy.« less

  5. Aerosol-induced laser breakdown thresholds - Effect of resonant particles

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pinnick, R. G.; Biswas, A.; Pendleton, J. D.; Armstrong, R. L.

    1992-01-01

    Laser intensity thresholds for the onset of stimulated Raman scattering and the breakdown in resonant micron-sized droplets are reduced to below those for nonresonant droplets by a factor of about 3. This reduction is most likely caused by the enhancement of electromagnetic energy (photon) densities within the droplets over and above that in nonresonant droplets. The magnitude of the threshold reduction for breakdown is consistent with the assertion that: (1) input (pump) wavelength resonances that initiate plasma have cavity Qs of about 10 exp 4; and (2) finite regions of high-electromagnetic-energy density within the droplet, with dimensions of the order of the Debye length, are required to initiate plasma.

  6. Technique for compressing light intensity ranges utilizing a specifically designed liquid crystal notch filter

    DOEpatents

    Rushford, Michael C.

    1988-01-01

    A pin hole camera assembly for use in viewing an object having a relatively large light intensity range, for example a crucible containing molten metal in an atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS) system is disclosed herein. The assembly includes means for optically compressing the light intensity range appearing at its input sufficient to make it receivable and decipherable by a standard video camera. To accomplish this, the assembly utilizes the combination of interference filter and a liquid crystal notch filter. The latter which preferably includes a cholesteric liquid crystal arrangement is configured to pass light at all wavelengths, except a relatively narrow wavelength band which defines the filter's notch, and includes means for causing the notch to vary to at least a limited extent with the intensity of light at its light incidence surface.

  7. Theory of Self-Phase Modulation and Spectral Broadening

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shen, Y. R.; Yang, Guo-Zhen

    Self-phase modulation refers to the phenomenon in which a laser beam propagating in a medium interacts with the medium and imposes a phase modulation on itself. It is one of those very fascinating effects discovered in the early days of nonlinear optics (Bloembergen and Lallemand, 1966; Brewer, 1967; Cheung et al., 1968; Lallemand, 1966; Jones and Stoicheff, 1964; Shimizu, 1967; Stoicheff, 1963). The physical origin of the phenomenon lies in the fact that the strong field of a laser beam is capable of inducing an appreciable intensity-dependent refractive index change in the medium. The medium then reacts back and inflicts a phase change on the incoming wave, resulting in self-phase modulation (SPM). Since a laser beam has a finite cross section, and hence a transverse intensity profile, SPM on the beam should have a transverse spatial dependence, equivalent to a distortion of the wave front. Consequently, the beam will appear to have self-diffracted. Such a self-diffraction action, resulting from SPM in space, is responsible for the well-known nonlinear optical phenomena of self-focusing and self-defocusing (Marburger, 1975; Shen, 1975). It can give rise to a multiple ring structure in the diffracted beam if the SPM is sufficiently strong (Durbin et al., 1981; Santamato and Shen, 1984). In the case of a pulsed laser input, the temporal variation of the laser intensity leads to an SPM in time. Since the time derivative of the phase of a wave is simply the angular frequency of the wave, SPM also appears as a frequency modulation. Thus, the output beam appears with a self-induced spectral broadening (Cheung et al., 1968; Gustafson et al., 1969; Shimizu, 1967).

  8. High-order-harmonic generation from Rydberg atoms driven by plasmon-enhanced laser fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tikman, Y.; Yavuz, I.; Ciappina, M. F.; Chacón, A.; Altun, Z.; Lewenstein, M.

    2016-02-01

    We theoretically investigate high-order-harmonic generation (HHG) in Rydberg atoms driven by spatially inhomogeneous laser fields, induced, for instance, by plasmonic enhancement. It is well known that the laser intensity should exceed a certain threshold in order to stimulate HHG when noble gas atoms in their ground state are used as an active medium. One way to enhance the coherent light coming from a conventional laser oscillator is to take advantage of the amplification obtained by the so-called surface plasmon polaritons, created when a low-intensity laser field is focused onto a metallic nanostructure. The main limitation of this scheme is the low damage threshold of the materials employed in the nanostructure engineering. In this work we propose the use of Rydberg atoms, driven by spatially inhomogeneous, plasmon-enhanced laser fields, for HHG. We exhaustively discuss the behavior and efficiency of these systems in the generation of coherent harmonic emission. Toward this aim we numerically solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for an atom, with an electron initially in a highly excited n th Rydberg state, located in the vicinity of a metallic nanostructure. In this zone the electric field changes spatially on scales relevant for the dynamics of the laser-ionized electron. We first use a one-dimensional model to investigate systematically the phenomena. We then employ a more realistic situation, in which the interaction of a plasmon-enhanced laser field with a three-dimensional hydrogen atom is modeled. We discuss the scaling of the relevant input parameters with the principal quantum number n of the Rydberg state in question and demonstrate that harmonic emission can be achieved from Rydberg atoms well below the damage threshold, thus without deterioration of the geometry and properties of the metallic nanostructure.

  9. Automatic Extraction of Road Markings from Mobile Laser Scanning Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, H.; Pei, Z.; Wei, Z.; Zhong, R.

    2017-09-01

    Road markings as critical feature in high-defination maps, which are Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and self-driving technology required, have important functions in providing guidance and information to moving cars. Mobile laser scanning (MLS) system is an effective way to obtain the 3D information of the road surface, including road markings, at highway speeds and at less than traditional survey costs. This paper presents a novel method to automatically extract road markings from MLS point clouds. Ground points are first filtered from raw input point clouds using neighborhood elevation consistency method. The basic assumption of the method is that the road surface is smooth. Points with small elevation-difference between neighborhood are considered to be ground points. Then ground points are partitioned into a set of profiles according to trajectory data. The intensity histogram of points in each profile is generated to find intensity jumps in certain threshold which inversely to laser distance. The separated points are used as seed points to region grow based on intensity so as to obtain road mark of integrity. We use the point cloud template-matching method to refine the road marking candidates via removing the noise clusters with low correlation coefficient. During experiment with a MLS point set of about 2 kilometres in a city center, our method provides a promising solution to the road markings extraction from MLS data.

  10. Direct solar-pumped iodine laser amplifier

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Han, Kwang S.; Hwang, In H.; Stock, Larry V.

    1988-01-01

    A XeCl laser which was developed earlier for an iodine laser oscillator was modified in order to increase the output pulse energy of XeCl laser so that the iodine laser output energy could be increased. The electrical circuit of the XeCl laser was changed from a simple capacitor discharge circuit of the XeCl laser to a Marx system. Because of this improvement the output energy from the XeCl laser was increased from 60 mj to 80 mj. Subsequently, iodine laser output energy was increased from 100 mj to 3 mj. On the other hand, the energy storage capability and amplification characteristics of the Vortek solar simulator-pumped amplifier was calculated expecting the calculated amplification factor is about 2 and the energy extraction efficiency is 26 percent due to the very low input energy density to the amplifier. As a result of an improved kinetic modeling for the iodine solar simulator pumped power amplifier, it is found that the I-2 along the axis of the tube affects seriously the gain profile. For the gas i-C3F7I at the higher pressures, the gain will decrease due to the I-2 as the pumping intensity increases, and at these higher pressures an increase in flow velocity will increase the gain.

  11. Absolute atomic hydrogen densities in a radio frequency discharge measured by two-photon laser induced fluorescence imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chérigier, L.; Czarnetzki, U.; Luggenhölscher, D.; Schulz-von der Gathen, V.; Döbele, H. F.

    1999-01-01

    Absolute atomic hydrogen densities were measured in the gaseous electronics conference reference cell parallel plate reactor by Doppler-free two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TALIF) at λ=205 nm. The capacitively coupled radio frequency discharge was operated at 13.56 MHz in pure hydrogen under various input power and pressure conditions. The Doppler-free excitation technique with an unfocused laser beam together with imaging the fluorescence radiation by an intensified charge coupled device camera allows instantaneous spatial resolution along the radial direction. Absolute density calibration is obtained with the aid of a flow tube reactor and titration with NO2. The influence of spatial intensity inhomogenities along the laser beam and subsequent fluorescence are corrected by TALIF in xenon. A full mapping of the absolute density distribution between the electrodes was obtained. The detection limit for atomic hydrogen amounts to about 2×1018 m-3. The dissociation degree is of the order of a few percent.

  12. Super-luminescent jet light generated by femtosecond laser pulses

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Zhijun; Zhu, Xiaonong; Yu, Yang; Zhang, Nan; Zhao, Jiefeng

    2014-01-01

    Phenomena of nonlinear light-matter interaction that occur during the propagation of intense ultrashort laser pulses in continuous media have been extensively studied in ultrafast optical science. In this vibrant research field, conversion of the input laser beam into optical filament(s) is commonly encountered. Here, we demonstrate generation of distinctive single or double super-luminescent optical jet beams as a result of strong spatial-temporal nonlinear interaction between focused 50 fs millijoule laser pulses and their induced micro air plasma. Such jet-like optical beams, being slightly divergent and coexisting with severely distorted conical emission of colored speckles, are largely different from optical filaments, and obtainable when the focal lens of proper f-number is slightly tilted or shifted. Once being collimated, the jet beams can propagate over a long distance in air. These beams not only reveal a potentially useful approach to coherent optical wave generation, but also may find applications in remote sensing. PMID:24463611

  13. Advanced Ultrafast Spectroscopy for Chemical Detection of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Villa-Aleman, E.; Houk, A.; Spencer, W.

    The development of new signatures and observables from processes related to proliferation activities are often related to the development of technologies. In our physical world, the intensity of observables is linearly related to the input drivers (light, current, voltage, etc.). Ultrafast lasers with high peak energies, opens the door to a new regime where the intensity of the observables is not necessarily linear with the laser energy. Potential nonlinear spectroscopic applications include chemical detection via remote sensing through filament generation, material characterization and processing, chemical reaction specificity, surface phenomena modifications, X-ray production, nuclear fusion, etc. The National Security Directorate lasermore » laboratory is currently working to develop new tools for nonproliferation research with femtosecond and picosecond lasers. Prior to this project, we could only achieve laser energies in the 5 nano-Joule range, preventing the study of nonlinear phenomena. To advance our nonproliferation research into the nonlinear regime we require laser pulses in the milli-Joule (mJ) energy range. We have procured and installed a 35 fs-7 mJ laser, operating at one-kilohertz repetition rate, to investigate elemental and molecular detection of materials in the laboratory with potential applications in remote sensing. Advanced, nonlinear Raman techniques will be used to study materials of interest that are in a matrix of many materials and currently with these nonlinear techniques we can achieve greater than three orders of magnitude signal enhancement. This work studying nuclear fuel cycle materials with nonlinear spectroscopies will advance SRNL research capabilities and grow a core capability within the DOE complex.« less

  14. Modeling of laser induced air plasma and shock wave dynamics using 2D-hydrodynamic simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paturi, Prem Kiran; S, Sai Shiva; Chelikani, Leela; Ikkurthi, Venkata Ramana; C. D., Sijoy; Chaturvedi, Shashank; Acrhem, University Of Hyderabad Team; Computational Analysis Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Visakhapatnam Team

    2017-06-01

    The laser induced air plasma dynamics and the SW evolution modeled using the two dimensional hydrodynamic code by considering two different EOS: ideal gas EOS with charge state effects taken into consideration and Chemical Equilibrium applications (CEA) EOS considering the chemical kinetics of different species will be presented. The inverse bremsstrahlung absorption process due to electron-ion and electron-neutrals is considered for the laser-air interaction process for both the models. The numerical results obtained with the two models were compared with that of the experimental observations over the time scales of 200 - 4000 ns at an input laser intensity of 2.3 ×1010 W/cm2. The comparison shows that the plasma and shock dynamics differ significantly for two EOS considered. With the ideas gas EOS the asymmetric expansion and the subsequent plasma dynamics have been well reproduced as observed in the experiments, whereas with the CEA model these processes were not reproduced due to the laser energy absorption occurring mostly at the focal volume. ACRHEM team thank DRDO, India for funding.

  15. Data acquisition and analysis of range-finding systems for spacing construction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shen, C. N.

    1981-01-01

    For space missions of future, completely autonomous robotic machines will be required to free astronauts from routine chores of equipment maintenance, servicing of faulty systems, etc. and to extend human capabilities in hazardous environments full of cosmic and other harmful radiations. In places of high radiation and uncontrollable ambient illuminations, T.V. camera based vision systems cannot work effectively. However, a vision system utilizing directly measured range information with a time of flight laser rangefinder, can successfully operate under these environments. Such a system will be independent of proper illumination conditions and the interfering effects of intense radiation of all kinds will be eliminated by the tuned input of the laser instrument. Processing the range data according to certain decision, stochastic estimation and heuristic schemes, the laser based vision system will recognize known objects and thus provide sufficient information to the robot's control system which can develop strategies for various objectives.

  16. Formation of propagation invariant laser beams with anamorphic optical systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soskind, Y. G.

    2015-03-01

    Propagation invariant structured laser beams play an important role in several photonics applications. A majority of propagation invariant beams are usually produced in the form of laser modes emanating from stable laser cavities. This work shows that anamorphic optical systems can be effectively employed to transform input propagation invariant laser beams and produce a variety of alternative propagation invariant structured laser beam distributions with different shapes and phase structures. This work also presents several types of anamorphic lens systems suitable for transforming the input laser modes into a variety of structured propagation invariant beams. The transformations are applied to different laser mode types, including Hermite-Gaussian, Laguerre-Gaussian, and Ince-Gaussian field distributions. The influence of the relative azimuthal orientation between the input laser modes and the anamorphic optical systems on the resulting transformed propagation invariant beams is presented as well.

  17. Organizing Multiple Femtosecond Filaments in Air

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Méchain, G.; Couairon, A.; Franco, M.; Prade, B.; Mysyrowicz, A.

    2004-07-01

    We show that it is possible to organize regular filamentation patterns in air by imposing either strong field gradients or phase distortions in the input-beam profile of an intense femtosecond laser pulse. A comparison between experiments and 3+1 dimensional numerical simulations confirms this concept and shows for the first time that a control of the transport of high intensities over long distances may be achieved by forcing this well ordered propagation regime. In this case, deterministic effects prevail in multiple femtosecond filamentation, and no transition to the optical turbulence regime is obtained [

    Mlejnek et al., Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-9007 83, 2938 (1999)10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.2938
    ].

  18. Femtosecond pulses propagation through pure water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Naveira, Lucas; Sokolov, Alexei; Byeon, Joong-Hyeok; Kattawar, George

    2007-10-01

    Recently, considerable attention has been dedicated to the field of optical precursors, which can possibly be applied to long-distance underwater communications. Input beam intensities have been carefully adjusted to keep experiments in the linear regime, and some experiments have shown violation of the Beer-Lambert law. We are presently carrying out experiments using femtosecond laser pulses propagating through pure water strictly in the linear regime to study this interesting and important behavior. We are also employing several new and innovative schemes to more clearly define the phenomena.

  19. Arbitrary waveform generator to improve laser diode driver performance

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fulkerson, Jr, Edward Steven

    2015-11-03

    An arbitrary waveform generator modifies the input signal to a laser diode driver circuit in order to reduce the overshoot/undershoot and provide a "flat-top" signal to the laser diode driver circuit. The input signal is modified based on the original received signal and the feedback from the laser diode by measuring the actual current flowing in the laser diode after the original signal is applied to the laser diode.

  20. Optical pattern recognition architecture implementing the mean-square error correlation algorithm

    DOEpatents

    Molley, Perry A.

    1991-01-01

    An optical architecture implementing the mean-square error correlation algorithm, MSE=.SIGMA.[I-R].sup.2 for discriminating the presence of a reference image R in an input image scene I by computing the mean-square-error between a time-varying reference image signal s.sub.1 (t) and a time-varying input image signal s.sub.2 (t) includes a laser diode light source which is temporally modulated by a double-sideband suppressed-carrier source modulation signal I.sub.1 (t) having the form I.sub.1 (t)=A.sub.1 [1+.sqroot.2m.sub.1 s.sub.1 (t)cos (2.pi.f.sub.o t)] and the modulated light output from the laser diode source is diffracted by an acousto-optic deflector. The resultant intensity of the +1 diffracted order from the acousto-optic device is given by: I.sub.2 (t)=A.sub.2 [+2m.sub.2.sup.2 s.sub.2.sup.2 (t)-2.sqroot.2m.sub.2 (t) cos (2.pi.f.sub.o t] The time integration of the two signals I.sub.1 (t) and I.sub.2 (t) on the CCD deflector plane produces the result R(.tau.) of the mean-square error having the form: R(.tau.)=A.sub.1 A.sub.2 {[T]+[2m.sub.2.sup.2.multidot..intg.s.sub.2.sup.2 (t-.tau.)dt]-[2m.sub.1 m.sub.2 cos (2.tau.f.sub.o .tau.).multidot..intg.s.sub.1 (t)s.sub.2 (t-.tau.)dt]} where: s.sub.1 (t) is the signal input to the diode modulation source: s.sub.2 (t) is the signal input to the AOD modulation source; A.sub.1 is the light intensity; A.sub.2 is the diffraction efficiency; m.sub.1 and m.sub.2 are constants that determine the signal-to-bias ratio; f.sub.o is the frequency offset between the oscillator at f.sub.c and the modulation at f.sub.c +f.sub.o ; and a.sub.o and a.sub.1 are constant chosen to bias the diode source and the acousto-optic deflector into their respective linear operating regions so that the diode source exhibits a linear intensity characteristic and the AOD exhibits a linear amplitude characteristic.

  1. High Intensity Mirror-Free Nanosecond Ytterbium Fiber Laser System in Master Oscillator Power Amplification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chun-Lin, Louis Chang

    Rare-earth-doped fiber lasers and amplifiers are relatively easy to efficiently produce a stable and high quality laser beam in a compact, robust, and alignment-free configuration. Recently, high power fiber laser systems have facilitated wide spread applications in academics, industries, and militaries in replacement of bulk solid-state laser systems. The master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) composed of a highly-controlled seed, high-gain preamplifiers, and high-efficiency power amplifiers are typically utilized to scale up the pulse energy, peak power, or average power. Furthermore, a direct-current-modulated nanosecond diode laser in single transverse mode can simply provide a compact and highly-controlled seed to result in the flexible output parameters, such as repetition rate, pulse duration, and even temporal pulse shape. However, when scaling up the peak power for high intensity applications, such a versatile diode-seeded nanosecond MOPA laser system using rare-earth-doped fibers is unable to completely save its own advantages compared to bulk laser systems. Without a strong seeding among the amplifiers, the guided amplified spontaneous amplification is easy to become dominant during the amplification, leading to the harmful self-lasing or pulsing effects, and the difficulty of the quantitative numerical comparison. In this dissertation, we study a high-efficiency and intense nanosecond ytterbium fiber MOPA system with good beam quality and stability for high intensity applications. The all-PM-fiber structure is achieved with the output extinction ratio of >12 dB by optimizing the interconnection of high power optical fibers. The diode-seeded MOPA configuration without parasitic stimulated amplification (PAS) is implemented using the double-pass scheme to extract energy efficiently for scaling peak power. The broadband PAS was studied experimentally, which matches well with our numerical simulation. The 1064-nm nanosecond seed was a direct-current-modulated Fabry-Perot diode laser associated with a weak and pulsed noise spanning from 1045 to 1063 nm. Even though the contribution of input noise pulse is only <5%, it becomes a significant transient spike during amplification. The blue-shifted pulsed noise may be caused by band filling effect for quantum-well seed laser driven by high peak current. The study helps the development of adaptive pulse shaping for scaling peak power or energy at high efficiency. On the other hand, the broadband spike with a 3-dB bandwidth of 8.8 nm can support pulses to seed the amplifier for sub-nanosecond giant pulse generation. Because of the very weak seed laser, the design of high-gain preamplifier becomes critical. The utilization of single-mode core-pumped fiber preamplifier can not only improve the mode contrast without fiber coiling effect but also significantly suppress the fiber nonlinearity. The double-pass scheme was therefore studied both numerically and experimentally to improve energy extraction efficiency for the lack of attainable seed and core-pumped power. As a result, a record-high peak power of > 30 kW and energy of > 0.23 mJ was successfully achieved to the best of our knowledge from the output of clad-pumped power amplifier with a beam quality of M2 ˜1.1 in a diode-seeded 15-microm-core fiber MOPA system. After the power amplifier, the MOPA conversion efficiency can be dramatically improved to >56% for an energy gain of >63 dB at a moderate repetition rate of 20 kHz with a beam quality of M 2 <1.5. The output energy of >1.1 mJ with a pulse duration of ˜6.1 ns can result in a peak power up to >116 kW which is limited by fiber fuse in long-term operation. Such a condition able to generate the on-target laser intensity of > 60 GW/cm2 for applications is qualified to preliminarily create a laser-plasma light source. Moreover, the related simulation results also reveal the double-passed power amplifier can further simplify MOPA. Such an intense clad-pumped power amplifier can further become a nonlinear fiber amplifier in all-normal dispersion instead of a nonlinear passive fiber. The combination of laser amplification and nonlinear conversion together can therefore overcome the significant pump depletion during the propagation along the passive fiber for power scaling. As a result, an intense spectrum spanning from 980 to 1600 nm as a high-power nanosecond supercontinuum source can be successfully generated with a conversion efficiency of >65% and a record-high peak power of >116 kW to the best of our knowledge. Because of MOPA structure, the influence of input parameters of nonlinear fiber amplifier on supercontinuum parameters can also be studied. The onset and interplay of fiber nonlinearities can be revealed stage by stage. Such an unique and linearly-polarized light source composed of an intense pump and broad sideband seed is beneficial for efficiently driving the broadband tunable optical parametric amplification free from the bulkiness and timing jitter. Keywords: High power fiber laser and amplifier, ytterbium fiber, master oscillator power amplification, parasitic stimulated amplification, multi-pass fiber amplification, peak power/pulse energy scaling, fiber nonlinear optics, supercontinuum generation.

  2. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for in-cylinder equivalence ratio measurements in laser-ignited natural gas engines.

    PubMed

    Joshi, Sachin; Olsen, Daniel B; Dumitrescu, Cosmin; Puzinauskas, Paulius V; Yalin, Azer P

    2009-05-01

    In this contribution we present the first demonstration of simultaneous use of laser sparks for engine ignition and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements of in-cylinder equivalence ratios. A 1064 nm neodynium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser beam is used with an optical spark plug to ignite a single cylinder natural gas engine. The optical emission from the combustion initiating laser spark is collected through the optical spark plug and cycle-by-cycle spectra are analyzed for H(alpha)(656 nm), O(777 nm), and N(742 nm, 744 nm, and 746 nm) neutral atomic lines. The line area ratios of H(alpha)/O(777), H(alpha)/N(746), and H(alpha)/N(tot) (where N(tot) is the sum of areas of the aforementioned N lines) are correlated with equivalence ratios measured by a wide band universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor. Experiments are performed for input laser energy levels of 21 mJ and 26 mJ, compression ratios of 9 and 11, and equivalence ratios between 0.6 and 0.95. The results show a linear correlation (R(2) > 0.99) of line intensity ratio with equivalence ratio, thereby suggesting an engine diagnostic method for cylinder resolved equivalence ratio measurements.

  3. Stimulated raman scattering of fuel droplets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Acker, William P.; Serpengüzel, Ali; Chang, Richard K.; Hill, Steven C.

    1990-07-01

    The strong stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from diesel fuel droplets has the potential of providing the relative concentration of multicomponent fuel and the absolute size of individual droplets. The morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs) of a sphere cause the droplet to act as an optical resonator which greatly lowers the SRS threshold. The number density, quality factor, and frequency shift of several MDRs are calculated as a function of the ratio of the index of refraction of the liquid and the surrounding gas, which approaches unity at the thermodynamic critical condition for the fuel spray. The SRS spectra of monodispersed droplets of toluene, pentane, Exxon-Aromatic-150, and Mobil D-2 are presented. The exponential growth region of the SRS intensity I 1S as a function of the input laser intensity I input is investigated for the toluene carbon ring breathing mode v 2 and the pentane C-H stretching region. The I 1S ratio of toluene and pentane is measured as a function of the ratio of the toluene and pentane concentration for monodispersed droplets. The reduced fluctuation in I 1S when I input is changed from multimode to single-mode is displayed as a histogram of the I 1S of the v 2 mode of toluene droplets.

  4. Pulse shaping and energy storage capabilities of angularly multiplexed KrF laser fusion drivers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lehmberg, R. H.; Giuliani, J. L.; Schmitt, A. J.

    2009-07-01

    This paper describes a rep-rated multibeam KrF laser driver design for the 500kJ Inertial Fusion test Facility (FTF) recently proposed by NRL, then models its optical pulse shaping capabilities using the ORESTES laser kinetics code. It describes a stable and reliable iteration technique for calculating the required precompensated input pulse shape that will achieve the desired output shape, even when the amplifiers are heavily saturated. It also describes how this precompensation technique could be experimentally implemented in real time on a reprated laser system. The simulations show that this multibeam system can achieve a high fidelity pulse shaping capability, even for a high gain shock ignition pulse whose final spike requires output intensities much higher than the ˜4MW/cm2 saturation levels associated with quasi-cw operation; i.e., they show that KrF can act as a storage medium even for pulsewidths of ˜1ns. For the chosen pulse, which gives a predicted fusion energy gain of ˜120, the simulations predict the FTF can deliver a total on-target energy of 428kJ, a peak spike power of 385TW, and amplified spontaneous emission prepulse contrast ratios IASE/I<3×10-7 in intensity and FASE/F<1.5×10-5 in fluence. Finally, the paper proposes a front-end pulse shaping technique that combines an optical Kerr gate with cw 248nm light and a 1μm control beam shaped by advanced fiber optic technology, such as the one used in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser.

  5. NRL Review, 2004

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-05-01

    intense laser - matter interaction studies, including particle acceleration. A new 10 Hz ultrashort - pulse (40 fs), Ti:Sapphire...of high- intensity ultrashort laser pulses . He is the chief developer of the HELCAP laser propagation code. Prior to joining NRL, he was employed by...two short- pulse high- intensity lasers , the Table-Top Terawatt (T3) laser and the new Ti:Sapphire Femtosecond Laser (TFL) to study intense

  6. A Novel Femtosecond-gated, High-resolution, Frequency-shifted Shearing Interferometry Technique for Probing Pre-plasma Expansion in Ultra-intense Laser Experiments

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-07-17

    frequency-shifted shearing interferometry technique for probing pre-plasma expansion in ultra-intense laser experimentsa) Ultra-intense laser -matter...interaction experiments (>1018 W/cm2) with dense targets are highly sensitive to the effect of laser “noise” (in the form of pre-pulses) preceding the...interferometry technique for probing pre- plasma expansion in ultra-intense laser experimentsa) Report Title Ultra-intense laser -matter interaction

  7. Estimation of the aging grade of T91 steel by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy coupled with support vector machines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Shengzi; Dong, Meirong; Huang, Jianwei; Li, Wenbing; Lu, Jidong; Li, Jun

    2018-02-01

    T91 steel is a representative martensitic heat-resistant steel widely used in high temperature compression components of industrial equipment. During the service period, the operation safety and the service life of the equipment will be affected by the change of structure and mechanical properties of the steel components, which is called material aging. In order to develop a rapid in-situ aging estimation technology of high temperature compression components surface, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with support vector machine (SVM) was employed in this paper. The spectral characteristics of 10 T91 steel specimens with different aging grades were analyzed. Line intensities and the line intensity ratios (ionic/atomic and alloying element/matrix element) that indicate the change of metallographic structure were used to establish SVM models, and the results using different variable sets were compared. The model was optimized by comparing different pulse number for practical effectiveness, and the robustness of the model was investigated in dealing with the inhomogeneity of steel composition. The study results show that the estimation model obtained the best performance using line intensities and line intensity ratios averaged from 31st-60th laser pulses as input variables. The estimation accuracy of validation set was greatly improved from 75.8% to 95.3%. In addition, the model showed the outstanding capacity for handling the fluctuations of spectral signals between measuring-points (spots), which indicated that the aging estimation based on a few measuring-points is feasible. The studies presented here demonstrate that the LIBS coupled with SVM is a new useful technique for the aging estimation of steel, and would be well-suited for fast safety assessment in industrial field.

  8. Achromatic self-referencing interferometer

    DOEpatents

    Feldman, Mark

    1994-01-01

    A self-referencing Mach-Zehnder interferometer for accurately measuring laser wavefronts over a broad wavelength range (for example, 600 nm to 900 nm). The apparatus directs a reference portion of an input beam to a reference arm and a measurement portion of the input beam to a measurement arm, recombines the output beams from the reference and measurement arms, and registers the resulting interference pattern ("first" interferogram) at a first detector. Optionally, subportions of the measurement portion are diverted to second and third detectors, which respectively register intensity and interferogram signals which can be processed to reduce the first interferogram's sensitivity to input noise. The reference arm includes a spatial filter producing a high quality spherical beam from the reference portion, a tilted wedge plate compensating for off-axis aberrations in the spatial filter output, and mirror collimating the radiation transmitted through the tilted wedge plate. The apparatus includes a thermally and mechanically stable baseplate which supports all reference arm optics, or at least the spatial filter, tilted wedge plate, and the collimator. The tilted wedge plate is mounted adjustably with respect to the spatial filter and collimator, so that it can be maintained in an orientation in which it does not introduce significant wave front errors into the beam propagating through the reference arm. The apparatus is polarization insensitive and has an equal path length configuration enabling measurement of radiation from broadband as well as closely spaced laser line sources.

  9. High power, high beam quality regenerative amplifier

    DOEpatents

    Hackel, L.A.; Dane, C.B.

    1993-08-24

    A regenerative laser amplifier system generates high peak power and high energy per pulse output beams enabling generation of X-rays used in X-ray lithography for manufacturing integrated circuits. The laser amplifier includes a ring shaped optical path with a limited number of components including a polarizer, a passive 90 degree phase rotator, a plurality of mirrors, a relay telescope, and a gain medium, the components being placed close to the image plane of the relay telescope to reduce diffraction or phase perturbations in order to limit high peak intensity spiking. In the ring, the beam makes two passes through the gain medium for each transit of the optical path to increase the amplifier gain to loss ratio. A beam input into the ring makes two passes around the ring, is diverted into an SBS phase conjugator and proceeds out of the SBS phase conjugator back through the ring in an equal but opposite direction for two passes, further reducing phase perturbations. A master oscillator inputs the beam through an isolation cell (Faraday or Pockels) which transmits the beam into the ring without polarization rotation. The isolation cell rotates polarization only in beams proceeding out of the ring to direct the beams out of the amplifier. The diffraction limited quality of the input beam is preserved in the amplifier so that a high power output beam having nearly the same diffraction limited quality is produced.

  10. High power, high beam quality regenerative amplifier

    DOEpatents

    Hackel, Lloyd A.; Dane, Clifford B.

    1993-01-01

    A regenerative laser amplifier system generates high peak power and high energy per pulse output beams enabling generation of X-rays used in X-ray lithography for manufacturing integrated circuits. The laser amplifier includes a ring shaped optical path with a limited number of components including a polarizer, a passive 90 degree phase rotator, a plurality of mirrors, a relay telescope, and a gain medium, the components being placed close to the image plane of the relay telescope to reduce diffraction or phase perturbations in order to limit high peak intensity spiking. In the ring, the beam makes two passes through the gain medium for each transit of the optical path to increase the amplifier gain to loss ratio. A beam input into the ring makes two passes around the ring, is diverted into an SBS phase conjugator and proceeds out of the SBS phase conjugator back through the ring in an equal but opposite direction for two passes, further reducing phase perturbations. A master oscillator inputs the beam through an isolation cell (Faraday or Pockels) which transmits the beam into the ring without polarization rotation. The isolation cell rotates polarization only in beams proceeding out of the ring to direct the beams out of the amplifier. The diffraction limited quality of the input beam is preserved in the amplifier so that a high power output beam having nearly the same diffraction limited quality is produced.

  11. System for generating shaped optical pulses and measuring optical pulses using spectral beam deflection (SBD)

    DOEpatents

    Skupsky, Stanley; Kessler, Terrance J.; Letzring, Samuel A.

    1993-01-01

    A temporally shaped or modified optical output pulse is generated from a bandwidth-encoded optical input pulse in a system in which the input pulse is in the form of a beam which is spectrally spread into components contained within the bandwidth, followed by deflection of the spectrally spread beam (SBD) thereby spatially mapping the components in correspondence with the temporal input pulse profile in the focal plane of a lens, and by spatially selective attenuation of selected components in that focal plane. The shaped or modified optical output pulse is then reconstructed from the attenuated spectral components. The pulse-shaping system is particularly useful for generating optical pulses of selected temporal shape over a wide range of pulse duration, such pulses finding application in the fields of optical communication, optical recording and data storage, atomic and molecular spectroscopy and laser fusion. An optical streak camera is also provided which uses SBD to display the beam intensity in the focal plane as a function of time during the input pulse.

  12. System for generating shaped optical pulses and measuring optical pulses using spectral beam deflection (SBD)

    DOEpatents

    Skupsky, S.; Kessler, T.J.; Letzring, S.A.

    1993-11-16

    A temporally shaped or modified optical output pulse is generated from a bandwidth-encoded optical input pulse in a system in which the input pulse is in the form of a beam which is spectrally spread into components contained within the bandwidth, followed by deflection of the spectrally spread beam (SBD) thereby spatially mapping the components in correspondence with the temporal input pulse profile in the focal plane of a lens, and by spatially selective attenuation of selected components in that focal plane. The shaped or modified optical output pulse is then reconstructed from the attenuated spectral components. The pulse-shaping system is particularly useful for generating optical pulses of selected temporal shape over a wide range of pulse duration, such pulses finding application in the fields of optical communication, optical recording and data storage, atomic and molecular spectroscopy and laser fusion. An optical streak camera is also provided which uses SBD to display the beam intensity in the focal plane as a function of time during the input pulse. 10 figures.

  13. Linearization of microwave photonic link based on nonlinearity of distributed feedback laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, Zi-jian; Gu, Yi-ying; Zhu, Wen-wu; Fan, Feng; Hu, Jing-jing; Zhao, Ming-shan

    2016-02-01

    A microwave photonic link (MPL) with spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) improvement utilizing the nonlinearity of a distributed feedback (DFB) laser is proposed and demonstrated. First, the relationship between the bias current and nonlinearity of a semiconductor DFB laser is experimentally studied. On this basis, the proposed linear optimization of MPL is realized by the combination of the external intensity Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) modulation MPL and the direct modulation MPL with the nonlinear operation of the DFB laser. In the external modulation MPL, the MZM is biased at the linear point to achieve the radio frequency (RF) signal transmission. In the direct modulation MPL, the third-order intermodulation (IMD3) components are generated for enhancing the SFDR of the external modulation MPL. When the center frequency of the input RF signal is 5 GHz and the two-tone signal interval is 10 kHz, the experimental results show that IMD3 of the system is effectively suppressed by 29.3 dB and the SFDR is increased by 7.7 dB.

  14. Q-switched Er:YAG radiation transmission through an oxide glass fiber for medical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Papadopoulos, Dimitris N.; Papagiakoumou, Eirini; Serafetinides, Alexander A.

    2002-09-01

    In the last few years, there has been an increasing interest for the 3 μm laser radiation in various medical applications, as this wavelength is strongly absorbed by the water and the other components of soft and hard tissue. An intensive development effort is going on throughout the world, in order to develop reliable lasers emitting in the 3 μm wavelength range. Our laser development effort with the Q-switched Er:YAG laser is briefly described in this article. Additionally for medical applications there is a great demand for good flexible delivery systems, in the mid-IR wavelength region. In this work the radiation transmission of a Q-switched Er:YAG laser, emitting at 2.94 μm, through high power (HP) oxide glass fibers of 450 μm core diameter was studied. Attenuation measurements were obtained as a function of the laser energy input and as a function of curvature, at 90 °, 180° and 360° bending angle. The output beam quality was studied using a beam profiler. Experiments with the same delivery system transmitting free-running Er:YAG laser radiation, were performed for comparison. The results are promising for the delivery of Q-switched Er:YAG laser radiation, as the fibers exhibited attenuation of 0.7 dB/m, and no damage of them was observed.

  15. Laser Ablation of Poly(methylmethacrylate) Doped with Aromatic Compounds: Laser Intensity Dependence of Absorption Coefficient

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jun; Niino, Hiroyuki; Yabe, Akira

    1999-02-01

    We developed a novel method of obtaining an absorption coefficient which depends on the laser intensity, since a single-photon absorption coefficient of a polymer could not be applied to laser ablation. The relationship between the nonlinear absorption coefficient and the laser intensity was derived from experimental data of transmission and incident laser intensities. Using the nonlinear absorption coefficient of poly(methylmethacrylate) doped with benzil and pyrene, we succeeded in fitting the relationship of etch depth and laser intensity, obtained experimentally, and discussed the energy absorbed by the polymer at the threshold fluence.

  16. Beam shaping to provide round and square-shaped beams in optical systems of high-power lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Laskin, Alexander; Laskin, Vadim

    2016-05-01

    Optical systems of modern high-power lasers require control of irradiance distribution: round or square-shaped flat-top or super-Gaussian irradiance profiles are optimum for amplification in MOPA lasers and for thermal load management while pumping of crystals of solid-state ultra-short pulse lasers to control heat and minimize its impact on the laser power and beam quality while maximizing overall laser efficiency, variable profiles are also important in irradiating of photocathode of Free Electron lasers (FEL). It is suggested to solve the task of irradiance re-distribution using field mapping refractive beam shapers like piShaper. The operational principle of these devices presumes transformation of laser beam intensity from Gaussian to flat-top one with high flatness of output wavefront, saving of beam consistency, providing collimated output beam of low divergence, high transmittance, extended depth of field, negligible residual wave aberration, and achromatic design provides capability to work with ultra-short pulse lasers having broad spectrum. Using the same piShaper device it is possible to realize beams with flat-top, inverse Gauss or super Gauss irradiance distribution by simple variation of input beam diameter, and the beam shape can be round or square with soft edges. This paper will describe some design basics of refractive beam shapers of the field mapping type and optical layouts of their applying in optical systems of high-power lasers. Examples of real implementations and experimental results will be presented as well.

  17. Optical gating with organic building blocks. A quantitative model for the fluorescence modulation of photochromic perylene bisimide dithienylcyclopentene triads

    PubMed Central

    Pärs, Martti; Gradmann, Michael; Gräf, Katja; Bauer, Peter; Thelakkat, Mukundan; Köhler, Jürgen

    2014-01-01

    We investigated the capability of molecular triads, consisting of two strong fluorophores that were covalently linked to a photochromic molecule, for optical gating. Therefore we monitored the fluorescence intensity of the fluorophores as a function of the isomeric state of the photoswitch. From the analysis of our data we develop a kinetic model that allows us to predict quantitatively the degree of the fluorescence modulation as a function of the mutual intensities of the lasers that are used to induce the fluorescence and the switching of the photochromic unit. We find that the achievable contrast for the modulation of the fluorescence depends mainly on the intensity ratio of the two light beams and appears to be very robust against absolute changes of these intensities. The latter result provides valuable information for the development of all-optical circuits which would require to handle different signal strengths for the input and output levels. PMID:24614963

  18. Hollow waveguide for giant Er:YAG laser pulses transfer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nemec, Michal; Jelinkova, Helena; Koranda, Petr; Cech, Miroslav; Sulc, Jan; Miyagi, Mitsunobu; Shi, Yi-Wei; Matsuura, Yuji

    2004-06-01

    Short Er:YAG laser pulses were delivered by a cyclic olefin polymer coated silver hollow glass (COP/Ag) waveguide specially designed for a high power radiation. Er:YAG laser was Q-switched by an electro-optic shutter - LiNbO3 Pockels cell with Brewster angle cut input/output faces. The maximum energy output obtained from this system was 29 mJ with the length of pulse 69 ns corresponding to 420 kW output peak power. The system was working with the repetition rate of 1.5 Hz. A delivery system composed of a lens (f = 40 mm), protector and waveguide with the 700/850 μm diameter and 50 cm or 1 m length. The measured maximum delivered intensity was 86 MW/cm2 what corresponds to the transmission of 78.6 % for whole delivery system. Using of a sealed cap, this delivery system gives a possibility of the contact surgical treatment in many medicine branches, for example ophthalmology, urology or dentistry.

  19. Method of achieving the controlled release of thermonuclear energy

    DOEpatents

    Brueckner, Keith A.

    1986-01-01

    A method of achieving the controlled release of thermonuclear energy by illuminating a minute, solid density, hollow shell of a mixture of material such as deuterium and tritium with a high intensity, uniformly converging laser wave to effect an extremely rapid build-up of energy in inwardly traveling shock waves to implode the shell creating thermonuclear conditions causing a reaction of deuterons and tritons and a resultant high energy thermonuclear burn. Utilizing the resulting energy as a thermal source and to breed tritium or plutonium. The invention also contemplates a laser source wherein the flux level is increased with time to reduce the initial shock heating of fuel and provide maximum compression after implosion; and, in addition, computations and an equation are provided to enable the selection of a design having a high degree of stability and a dependable fusion performance by establishing a proper relationship between the laser energy input and the size and character of the selected material for the fusion capsule.

  20. Photoionization pathways and thresholds in generation of Lyman-α radiation by resonant four-wave mixing in Kr-Ar mixture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Louchev, Oleg A.; Saito, Norihito; Oishi, Yu; Miyazaki, Koji; Okamura, Kotaro; Nakamura, Jumpei; Iwasaki, Masahiko; Wada, Satoshi

    2016-09-01

    We develop a set of analytical approximations for the estimation of the combined effect of various photoionization processes involved in the resonant four-wave mixing generation of ns pulsed Lyman-α (L-α ) radiation by using 212.556 nm and 820-845 nm laser radiation pulses in Kr-Ar mixture: (i) multi-photon ionization, (ii) step-wise (2+1)-photon ionization via the resonant 2-photon excitation of Kr followed by 1-photon ionization and (iii) laser-induced avalanche ionization produced by generated free electrons. Developed expressions validated by order of magnitude estimations and available experimental data allow us to identify the area for the operation under high input laser intensities avoiding the onset of full-scale discharge, loss of efficiency and inhibition of generated L-α radiation. Calculations made reveal an opportunity for scaling up the output energy of the experimentally generated pulsed L-α radiation without significant enhancement of photoionization.

  1. NRL Review 2005. Pioneering the Future

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-01-01

    pulse high- intensity lasers —the Table-Top Terawatt (T3) laser and the new Ti:Sapphire Femtosecond Laser (TFL)—to study intense laser -plasma...56 laser beams and is single- pulsed (4-ns pulse ). This facility provides intense radiation for studying inertial confinement fusion (ICF) target... ultrashort - pulse (40 fs), Ti:Sapphire Fem- tosecond Laser (TFL) system is now operational at 1 TW. These lasers comprise a

  2. A digital intensity stabilization system for HeNe laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, Zhimeng; Lu, Guangfeng; Yang, Kaiyong; Long, Xingwu; Huang, Yun

    2012-02-01

    A digital intensity stabilization system for HeNe laser is developed. Based on a switching power IC to design laser power supply and a general purpose microcontroller to realize digital PID control, the system constructs a closed loop to stabilize the laser intensity by regulating its discharge current. The laser tube is made of glass ceramics and its integrated structure is steady enough to eliminate intensity fluctuations at high frequency and attenuates all intensity fluctuations, and this makes it easy to tune the control loop. The control loop between discharge current and photodiode voltage eliminates the long-term drifts. The intensity stability of the HeNe laser with this system is 0.014% over 12 h.

  3. Laser beam shaping design based on micromirror array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fang, Han; Su, Bida; Liu, Jiaguo; Fan, Xiaoli; Jing, Wang

    2017-10-01

    In the practical application of the laser, it is necessary to use the laser beam shaping technology to shape the output beam of laser device to the uniform light intensity distribution. The shaping divergent optical system of compound eye integrator way is composed of beam expanding mirror group and lens array. Its working principle is to expand the output laser to a certain size of caliber, and then divide the beam with lens array into multiple sub beam, where the lens unit of lens array can control the divergence angle of sub beam through the design of focal length, with mutual superposition of the sub beam in far field, to make up for the nonuniformity of beam, so that the radiant exitance on the radiated surface may become uniform. In this paper, we use a reflective microlens array to realize the laser beam shaping. By through of the practical optical path model established, the ray tracing is carried out and the simulation results for single-mode Gaussian beam with noise circumstance is provided. The analysis results show that the laser beam shaping under different inputs can be effectively realized by use of microlens array. All the energy is within the signal window, with a high energy efficiency of more than 90%; The measured surface has a better uniformity, and the uniformity is better than 99.5% at 150m.

  4. SPECIAL ISSUE ON OPTICAL PROCESSING OF INFORMATION: Specialised acousto-optical processor for input, display, and coherent-optical processing of multiparameter information from spaceborne telemetric systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bykovskii, Yurii A.; Eloev, E. N.; Kukharenko, K. L.; Panin, A. M.; Solodovnikov, N. P.; Torgashin, A. N.; Arestova, E. L.

    1995-10-01

    An acousto-optical system for input, display, and coherent-optical processing of information was implemented experimentally. The information transmission capacity, the structure of the information fluxes, and the efficiency of spaceborne telemetric systems were taken into account. The number of equivalent frequency-resolved channels corresponded to the structure of a telemetric frame of a two-step switch. The number of intensity levels of laser radiation corresponded to the scale of changes in the parameters. Use was made of the technology of a liquid optical contact between a wedge-shaped piezoelectric transducer made of lithium niobate and an anisotropic light-and-sound guide made of paratellurite with asymmetric scattering geometry. The simplest technique for optical filtering of multiparameter signals was analysed.

  5. Temperature dependence of quasi-three level laser transition for long pulse Nd:YAG laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bidin, Noriah; Pourmand, Seyed Ebrahim; Sidi Ahmad, Muhamad Fakaruddin; Khrisnan, Ganesan; Mohd Taib, Nur Athirah; Nadia Adnan, Nurul; Bakhtiar, Hazri

    2013-02-01

    The influence of temperature and pumping energy on stimulated emission cross section and the laser output of quasi-three level laser transition are reported. Flashlamp is used to pump Nd:YAG laser rod. Distilled water is mixed with ethylene glycol to vary the temperature of the cooling system between -30 and 60 °C. The capacitor voltage of flashlamp driver is verified to manipulate the input energy within the range of 10-70 J. The line of interest in quasi-three level laser comprised of 938.5 and 946 nm. The stimulated emission cross section of both lines is found to be inversely proportional to the temperature but directly proportional to the input energy. This is attributed from thermal broadening effect. The changes of stimulated emission cross section and the output laser with respect to the temperature and input energy on line 946 nm are realized to be more dominant in comparison to 938.5 nm.

  6. Comparison on welding mode characteristics of arc heat source for heat input control in hybrid welding of aluminum alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Song, Moo-Keun; Kim, Jong-Do; Oh, Jae-Hwan

    2015-03-01

    Presently in shipbuilding, transportation and aerospace industries, the potential to apply welding using laser and laser-arc hybrid heat sources is widely under research. This study has the purpose of comparing the weldability depending on the arc mode by varying the welding modes of arc heat sources in applying laser-arc hybrid welding to aluminum alloy and of implementing efficient hybrid welding while controlling heat input. In the experimental study, we found that hybrid welding using CMT mode produced deeper penetration and sounder bead surface than those characteristics produced during only laser welding, with less heat input compared to that required in pulsed arc mode.

  7. Cross-polarized wave generation (XPW) for ultrafast laser pulse characterization and intensity contrast enhancement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iliev, Marin

    Good pulse quality, high peak power and tunable central wavelength are amongst the most desired qualities in modern lasers. The nonlinear effect cross-polarized wave generation (XPW), can be used in ultrafast laser systems to achieve various pulse quality enhancements. The XPW yield depends on the cube of the input intensity and acts as a spatio-temporal filter. It is orthogonally polarized to the input pulse and highly Gaussian. If the input pulse is well compressed, the output spectrum is smoother and broader. These features make XPW an ideal reference signal in pulse characterization techniques. This thesis presents a detailed analysis of the XPW conversion process, and describes novel applications to pulse characterization and high-quality pulse cleaning. An extensive computer model was developed to describe XPW generation via solution of the full coupled non-linear differential equations. The model accounts for dispersion inside the nonlinear crystal and uses split-step Fourier optics beam propagation to simulate the evolution of the electro-magnetic fields of the pump and XPW through free-space and imaging systems. A novel extension to the self-referenced spectral interferometry (SRSI) pulse characterization technique allows the retrieval of the energy and spectral content of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) present in ultrashort pulse amplifier systems. A novel double-pass XPW conversion scheme is presented. In it the beam passes through a single XPW crystal (BaF2) and is re-imaged with a curved mirror. The technique resulted in good (˜30%) efficiency without the spatial aberrations commonly seen in another arrangement that uses two crystals in succession. The modeling sheds light on the complicated nonlinear beam dynamics of the double-crystal conversion, including self- and cross-phase modulation, self-focusing, and the effects of, relative on-axis phase-difference, relative beam sizes, and wave-front curvature matching on seeded XPW conversion. Finally, a design is presented for exploiting the clean-up properties of XPW at the output of an optical parametric generation (OPA) setup in conjunction with an extremely compact prism compressor. The prisms material, separation and geometry are designed carefully to work at the correct wavelength of the OPA setup and are extrapolated to accommodate wavelengths, such as 2mum of parametric wave generation.

  8. Single lens laser beam shaper

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Chuyu [Newport News, VA; Zhang, Shukui [Yorktown, VA

    2011-10-04

    A single lens bullet-shaped laser beam shaper capable of redistributing an arbitrary beam profile into any desired output profile comprising a unitary lens comprising: a convex front input surface defining a focal point and a flat output portion at the focal point; and b) a cylindrical core portion having a flat input surface coincident with the flat output portion of the first input portion at the focal point and a convex rear output surface remote from the convex front input surface.

  9. Laser particle sorter

    DOEpatents

    Martin, J.C.; Buican, T.N.

    1987-11-30

    Method and apparatus are provided for sorting particles, such as biological particles. A first laser is used to define an optical path having an intensity gradient which is effective to propel the particles along the path but which is sufficiently weak that the particles are not trapped in an axial direction. A probe laser beam is provided for interrogating the particles to identify predetermined phenotypical characteristics of the particles. A second laser beam is provided to intersect the driving first laser beam, wherein the second laser beam is activated by an output signal indicative of a predetermined characteristic. The second laser beam is switchable between a first intensity and a second intensity, where the first intensity is effective to displace selected particles from the driving laser beam and the second intensity is effective to propel selected particles along the deflection laser beam. The selected particles may then be propelled by the deflection beam to a location effective for further analysis. 2 figs.

  10. Laser particle sorter

    DOEpatents

    Martin, John C.; Buican, Tudor N.

    1989-01-01

    Method and apparatus for sorting particles, such as biological particles. A first laser defines an optical path having an intensity gradient which is effective to propel the particles along the path but which is sufficiently weak that the particles are not trapped in an axial direction. A probe laser beam interrogates the particles to identify predetermined phenotypical characteristics of the particles. A second laser beam intersects the driving first laser beam, wherein the second laser beam is activated by an output signal indicative of a predetermined characteristic. The second laser beam is switchable between a first intensity and a second intensity, where the first intensity is effective to displace selected particles from the driving laser beam and the second intensity is effective to propel selected particles along the deflection laser beam. The selected particles may then be propelled by the deflection beam to a location effective for further analysis.

  11. Method and system for compact, multi-pass pulsed laser amplifier

    DOEpatents

    Erlandson, Alvin Charles

    2014-11-25

    A laser amplifier includes an input aperture operable to receive laser radiation having a first polarization, an output aperture coupled to the input aperture by an optical path, and a polarizer disposed along an optical path. A transmission axis of the polarizer is aligned with the first polarization. The laser amplifier also includes n optical switch disposed along the optical path. The optical switch is operable to pass the laser radiation when operated in a first state and to reflect the laser radiation when operated in a second state. The laser amplifier further includes an optical gain element disposed along the optical path and a polarization rotation device disposed along the optical path.

  12. The influence of surface contamination on the ion emission from nanosecond-pulsed laser ablation of Al and Cu

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ullah, S.; Dogar, A. H.; Qayyum, H.; Rehman, Z. U.; Qayyum, A.

    2018-04-01

    Ions emitted from planar Al and Cu targets irradiated with a 1064 nm pulsed laser were investigated with the help of a time-resolving Langmuir probe. It was found that the intensity of the ions emitted from a target area rapidly decreases with the increasing number of laser shots, and seems to reach saturation after about 10 laser shots. The saturated intensity of Al and Cu ions was approximately 0.1 and 0.3 times the intensity of the respective ions measured at the first laser shot, respectively. The higher target ion intensity for the first few shots is thought to be due to the enhanced ionization of target atoms by vacuum-ultraviolet radiations emitted from the thermally excited/ionized surface contaminants. The reduction of target ion intensity with an increasing number of laser shots thus indicates the removal of contaminants from the irradiated surface area. Laser-cleaned Al and Cu surfaces were then allowed to be recontaminated with residual vacuum gases and the ion intensity was measured at various time delays. The prolonged exposure of the cleaned target to vacuum residual gases completely restores the ion intensity. Regarding surface contaminants removal, laser shots of higher intensities were found to be more effective than a higher number of laser shots having lower intensities.

  13. Achromatic self-referencing interferometer

    DOEpatents

    Feldman, M.

    1994-04-19

    A self-referencing Mach-Zehnder interferometer is described for accurately measuring laser wavefronts over a broad wavelength range (for example, 600 nm to 900 nm). The apparatus directs a reference portion of an input beam to a reference arm and a measurement portion of the input beam to a measurement arm, recombines the output beams from the reference and measurement arms, and registers the resulting interference pattern ([open quotes]first[close quotes] interferogram) at a first detector. Optionally, subportions of the measurement portion are diverted to second and third detectors, which respectively register intensity and interferogram signals which can be processed to reduce the first interferogram's sensitivity to input noise. The reference arm includes a spatial filter producing a high quality spherical beam from the reference portion, a tilted wedge plate compensating for off-axis aberrations in the spatial filter output, and mirror collimating the radiation transmitted through the tilted wedge plate. The apparatus includes a thermally and mechanically stable baseplate which supports all reference arm optics, or at least the spatial filter, tilted wedge plate, and the collimator. The tilted wedge plate is mounted adjustably with respect to the spatial filter and collimator, so that it can be maintained in an orientation in which it does not introduce significant wave front errors into the beam propagating through the reference arm. The apparatus is polarization insensitive and has an equal path length configuration enabling measurement of radiation from broadband as well as closely spaced laser line sources. 3 figures.

  14. Nanosecond nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of hollow gold nanocages

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zheng, Chan; Huang, Jiaxin; Lei, Li; Chen, Wenzhe; Wang, Haiyan; Li, Wei

    2018-01-01

    Gold nanocages (NCs) were prepared using the galvanic replacement reaction. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the porous morphology and completely hollow interior of the gold NCs. The nanosecond nonlinear optical and optical limiting (OL) properties of the NCs were characterized using the open-aperture Z-scan technique with 8-ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The gold NCs exhibited intensity-dependent transformation from saturable absorption to reverse-saturable absorption. The nonlinear absorption coefficient and saturable energy of the NCs were 5 × 10- 12 m/W and 2.5 × 1010 W/m2, respectively. Meanwhile, the gold NCs were found to display strong OL properties towards nanosecond laser pulses. The OL threshold of the gold NCs was lower than that of solid gold nanoparticles and comparable with that of a carbon nanotube suspension. Input fluence and angle-dependent scattering measurements indicated that nonlinear scattering plays an important role in the OL behavior of the gold nanostructures at high laser excitation. The improved OL response in gold NCs was discussed from the viewpoint of structural characteristic. The ultrathin and highly porous walls of the gold NCs can effectively transfer the photon-induced heat to the surrounding solvent, resulting in enhanced OL properties compared with those of solid gold nanoparticles. The intensity-dependent transformation from saturable absorption to reverse-saturable absorption and excellent OL response indicate that the smart gold NCs with ultrathin and highly porous walls can be considered as potential candidate in pulse shaping, passive mode locking, and eye protection against powerful lasers.

  15. Quantum-electrodynamic cascades in intense laser fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Narozhny, N. B.; Fedotov, A. M.

    2015-01-01

    It is shown that in an intense laser field, along with cascades similar to extensive air showers, self-sustaining field-energized cascades can develop. For intensities of 1024~ \\text {W cm}-2 or higher, such cascades can even be initiated by a particle at rest in the focal area of a tightly focused laser pulse. The cascade appearance effect can considerably alter the progression of any process occurring in a high-intensity laser field. At very high intensities, the evolvement of such cascades can lead to the depletion of the laser field. This paper presents a design of an experiment to observe these two cascade types simultaneously already in next-generation laser facilities.

  16. Hyper-Ramsey spectroscopy with probe-laser-intensity fluctuations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beloy, K.

    2018-03-01

    We examine the influence of probe-laser-intensity fluctuations on hyper-Ramsey spectroscopy. We assume, as is appropriate for relevant cases of interest, that the probe-laser intensity I determines both the Rabi frequency (∝√{I } ) and the frequency shift to the atomic transition (∝I ) during probe-laser interactions with the atom. The spectroscopic signal depends on these two quantities that covary with fluctuations in the probe-laser intensity. Introducing a simple model for the fluctuations, we find that the signature robustness of the hyper-Ramsey method can be compromised. Taking the Yb+ electric octupole clock transition as an example, we quantify the clock error under different levels of probe-laser-intensity fluctuations.

  17. Exciton-polariton dynamics in a GaAs bulk microcavity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ceccherini, S.; Gurioli, M.; Bogani, F.; Colocci, M.; Tredicucci, A.; Bassani, F.; Beltram, F.; Sorba, L.

    1998-01-01

    We present a full analysis of exciton dynamics in a GaAs λ/2 bulk microcavity following excitation by ultrafast laser pulses. Coherent dynamics was probed by means of an interferometric technique; beating and dephasing times were studied for various excitation intensities. At high incident power, population effects begin to show up reducing exciton oscillator strength and suppressing Rabi splitting. This feature produces marked non-linearities in the input-output characteristic of the optical functions, which were studied in view of reaching bistable operation. Theoretical calculations performed within the transfer-matrix framework show good agreement with experimental results.

  18. Multi-keV X-ray area source intensity at SGII laser facility

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Rui-rong; An, Hong-hai; Xie, Zhi-yong; Wang, Wei

    2018-05-01

    Experiments for investigating the feasibility of multi-keV backlighters for several different metallic foil targets were performed at the Shenguang II (SGII) laser facility in China. Emission spectra in the energy range of 1.65-7.0 keV were measured with an elliptically bent crystal spectrometer, and the X-ray source size was measured with a pinhole camera. The X-ray intensity near 4.75 keV and the X-ray source size for titanium targets at different laser intensity irradiances were studied. By adjusting the total laser energy at a fixed focal spot size, laser intensity in the range of 1.5-5.0 × 1015 W/cm2, was achieved. The results show that the line emission intensity near 4.75 keV and the X-ray source size are dependent on the laser intensity and increase as the laser intensity increases. However, an observed "peak" in the X-ray intensity near 4.75 keV occurs at an irradiance of 4.0 × 1015 W/cm2. For the employed experimental conditions, it was confirmed that the laser intensity could play a significant role in the development of an efficient multi-keV X-ray source. The experimental results for titanium indicate that the production of a large (˜350 μm in diameter) intense backlighter source of multi-keV X-rays is feasible at the SGII facility.

  19. Method for fabrication of cylindrical microlenses of selected shape

    DOEpatents

    Snyder, J.J.; Baer, T.M.

    1992-01-14

    The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears a direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing. The present invention has many applications, such as integrated optics, optical detectors and laser diodes. The lens, when connected to a laser diode bar, can provide a high intensity source of laser radiation for pumping a high average power solid state laser. In integrated optics, a lens can be used to couple light into and out of apertures such as waveguides. The lens can also be used to collect light, and focus it on a detector. 11 figs.

  20. Method for fabrication of cylindrical microlenses of selected shape

    DOEpatents

    Snyder, James J.; Baer, Thomas M.

    1992-01-01

    The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears a direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing. The present invention has many applications, such as integrated optics, optical detectors and laser diodes. The lens, when connected to a laser diode bar, can provide a high intensity source of laser radiation for pumping a high average power solid state laser. In integrated optics, a lens can be used to couple light into and out of apertures such as waveguides. The lens can also be used to collect light, and focus it on a detector.

  1. Plasma density limits for hole boring by intense laser pulses.

    PubMed

    Iwata, Natsumi; Kojima, Sadaoki; Sentoku, Yasuhiko; Hata, Masayasu; Mima, Kunioki

    2018-02-12

    High-power lasers in the relativistic intensity regime with multi-picosecond pulse durations are available in many laboratories around the world. Laser pulses at these intensities reach giga-bar level radiation pressures, which can push the plasma critical surface where laser light is reflected. This process is referred to as the laser hole boring (HB), which is critical for plasma heating, hence essential for laser-based applications. Here we derive the limit density for HB, which is the maximum plasma density the laser can reach, as a function of laser intensity. The time scale for when the laser pulse reaches the limit density is also derived. These theories are confirmed by a series of particle-in-cell simulations. After reaching the limit density, the plasma starts to blowout back toward the laser, and is accompanied by copious superthermal electrons; therefore, the electron energy can be determined by varying the laser pulse length.

  2. Reflex ring laser amplifier system

    DOEpatents

    Summers, M.A.

    1983-08-31

    The invention is a method and apparatus for providing a reflex ring laser system for amplifying an input laser pulse. The invention is particularly useful in laser fusion experiments where efficient production of high-energy and high power laser pulses is required. The invention comprises a large aperture laser amplifier in an unstable ring resonator which includes a combination spatial filter and beam expander having a magnification greater than unity. An input pulse is injected into the resonator, e.g., through an aperture in an input mirror. The injected pulse passes through the amplifier and spatial filter/expander components on each pass around the ring. The unstable resonator is designed to permit only a predetermined number of passes before the amplified pulse exits the resonator. On the first pass through the amplifier, the beam fills only a small central region of the gain medium. On each successive pass, the beam has been expanded to fill the next concentric non-overlapping region of the gain medium.

  3. Shaping propagation invariant laser beams

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Soskind, Michael; Soskind, Rose; Soskind, Yakov

    2015-11-01

    Propagation-invariant structured laser beams possess several unique properties and play an important role in various photonics applications. The majority of propagation invariant beams are produced in the form of laser modes emanating from stable laser cavities. Therefore, their spatial structure is limited by the intracavity mode formation. We show that several types of anamorphic optical systems (AOSs) can be effectively employed to shape laser beams into a variety of propagation invariant structured fields with different shapes and phase distributions. We present a propagation matrix approach for designing AOSs and defining mode-matching conditions required for preserving propagation invariance of the output shaped fields. The propagation matrix approach was selected, as it provides a more straightforward approach in designing AOSs for shaping propagation-invariant laser beams than the alternative technique based on the Gouy phase evolution, especially in the case of multielement AOSs. Several practical configurations of optical systems that are suitable for shaping input laser beams into a diverse variety of structured propagation invariant laser beams are also presented. The laser beam shaping approach was applied by modeling propagation characteristics of several input laser beam types, including Hermite-Gaussian, Laguerre-Gaussian, and Ince-Gaussian structured field distributions. The influence of the Ince-Gaussian beam semifocal separation parameter and the azimuthal orientation between the input laser beams and the AOSs onto the resulting shape of the propagation invariant laser beams is presented as well.

  4. Hopfield neural network and optical fiber sensor as intelligent heart rate monitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mutter, Kussay Nugamesh

    2018-01-01

    This paper presents a design and fabrication of an intelligent fiber-optic sensor used for examining and monitoring heart rate activity. It is found in the literature that the use of fiber sensors as heart rate sensor is widely studied. However, the use of smart sensors based on Hopfield neural networks is very low. In this work, the sensor is a three fibers without cladding of about 1 cm, fed by laser light of 1550 nm of wavelength. The sensing portions are mounted with a micro sensitive diaphragm to transfer the pulse pressure on the left radial wrist. The influenced light intensity will be detected by a three photodetectors as inputs into the Hopfield neural network algorithm. The latter is a singlelayer auto-associative memory structure with a same input and output layers. The prior training weights are stored in the net memory for the standard recorded normal heart rate signals. The sensors' heads work on the reflection intensity basis. The novelty here is that the sensor uses a pulse pressure and Hopfield neural network in an integrity approach. The results showed a significant output measurements of heart rate and counting with a plausible error rate.

  5. A study of association between fingernail elements and osteoporosis by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bahreini, Maryam; Hosseinimakarem, Zahra; Hassan Tavassoli, Seyed

    2012-09-01

    Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used to investigate the possible effect of osteoporosis on the elemental composition of fingernails. Also, the ability to classify healthy, osteopenic, and osteoporotic subjects based on their fingernail spectra has been examined. 46 atomic and ionic emission lines belonging to 13 elements, which are dominated by calcium and magnesium, have been identified. Measurements are carried out on fingernail clippings of 99 subjects including 27 healthy, 47 osteopenic, and 25 osteoporotic subjects. The Pearson correlations between spectral intensities of different elements of fingernail and age and bone mineral densities (BMDs) in nail samples are calculated. Correlations between line intensities of some elements such as sodium and potassium, calcium and iron, magnesium and silicon and also between some fingernail elements, BMD, and age are observed. Although some of these correlations are weak, some information about mineral metabolism can be deduced from them. Discrimination between nail samples of healthy, osteopenic, and osteoporotic subjects is shown to be somehow possible by a discriminant function analysis using 46 atomic emission lines of the LIBS spectra as input variables. The results of this study provide some evidences for association between osteoporosis and elemental composition of fingernails measured by LIBS.

  6. Effects of Laser Frequency and Multiple Beams on Hot Electron Generation in Fast Ignition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Royle, Ryan B.

    Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is one approach to harnessing fusion power for the purpose of energy production in which a small deuterium-tritium capsule is imploded to about a thousand times solid density with ultra-intense lasers. In the fast ignition (FI) scheme, a picosecond petawatt laser pulse is used to deposit ˜10 kJ of energy in ˜10 ps into a small hot-spot at the periphery of the compressed core, igniting a fusion burn wave. FI promises a much higher energy gain over the conventional central hot-spot ignition scheme in which ignition is achieved through compression alone. Sufficient energy coupling between ignition laser and implosion core is critical for the feasibility of the FI scheme. Laser-core energy coupling is mediated by hot electrons which absorb laser energy near the critical density and propagate to the dense core, depositing their energy primarily through collisions. The hot electron energy distribution plays a large role in achieving efficient energy coupling since electrons with energy much greater than a few MeV will only deposit a small fraction of their energy into the hot-spot region due to reduced collisional cross section. It is understood that it may be necessary to use the second or third harmonic of the 1.05 mum Nd glass laser to reduce the average hot electron energy closer to the few-MeV range. Also, it is likely that multiple ignition beams will be used to achieve the required intensities. In this study, 2D particle-in-cell simulations are used to examine the effects of frequency doubling and tripling of a 1 mum laser as well as effects of using various dual-beam configurations. While the hot-electron energy spectrum is indeed shifted closer to the few-MeV range for higher frequency beams, the overall energy absorption is reduced, canceling the gain from higher efficiency. For a fixed total laser input energy, we find that the amount of hot electron energy able to be deposited into the core hot-spot is fairly insensitive to the laser configuration used. Our results hint that the more important issue at hand may be divergence and transport of the hot electrons, which tend to spray into 2pi radians due to instabilities and current filamentation present in the laser-plasma interaction region.

  7. Biomodulation of light on cells in laser surgery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Timon C.; Li, Yan; Duan, Rui; Cai, Xiongwei

    2002-04-01

    In laser surgery, it has been observed pulsed 532-nm laser can avoid postoperative purpura, but pulsed 585-nm, 595-nm or 600-nm lasers nonetheless cause purpura when they were used to treat port-wine stains; the XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) can safely and effectively clear psoriasis; both XeCl excimer laser and Ho:YAG laser were used in coronary interventions, but only former was approved by the FDA; open channels after ultraviolet (UV) laser treatment and closed channels with infrared (IR) lasers for transmyocardial laser revascularization; and so on. In this paper, the biological information model of low intensity laser (BIML) is extended to include UVA biomodulation and is used to understand these phenomena. Although the central intensity of the laser beam is so intense that it destroys the tissue, the edge intensity is so low that it can induce biomodulation. Our investigation showed that biomodulation of light on cells might play an important role in the long-term effects of laser surgery.

  8. Non-destructive testing of ceramic materials using mid-infrared ultrashort-pulse laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, S. C.; Qi, Hong; An, X. Y.; Ren, Y. T.; Qiao, Y. B.; Ruan, Liming M.

    2018-04-01

    The non-destructive testing (NDT) of ceramic materials using mid-infrared ultrashort-pulse laser is investigated in this study. The discrete ordinate method is applied to solve the transient radiative transfer equation in 2D semitransparent medium and the emerging radiative intensity on boundary serves as input for the inverse analysis. The sequential quadratic programming algorithm is employed as the inverse technique to optimize objective function, in which the gradient of objective function with respect to reconstruction parameters is calculated using the adjoint model. Two reticulated porous ceramics including partially stabilized zirconia and oxide-bonded silicon carbide are tested. The retrieval results show that the main characteristics of defects such as optical properties, geometric shapes and positions can be accurately reconstructed by the present model. The proposed technique is effective and robust in NDT of ceramics even with measurement errors.

  9. 11-kW direct diode laser system with homogenized 55 × 20 mm2 Top-Hat intensity distribution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Köhler, Bernd; Noeske, Axel; Kindervater, Tobias; Wessollek, Armin; Brand, Thomas; Biesenbach, Jens

    2007-02-01

    In comparison with other laser systems diode lasers are characterized by a unique overall efficiency, a small footprint and high reliability. However, one major drawback of direct diode laser systems is the inhomogeneous intensity distribution in the far field. Furthermore the output power of current commercially available systems is limited to about 6 kW. We report on a diode laser system with 11 kW output power at a single wavelength of 940 nm aiming for customer specific large area treatment. To the best of our knowledge this is the highest output power reported so far for a direct diode laser system. In addition to the high output power the intensity distribution of the laser beam is homogenized in both axes leading to a 55 x 20 mm2 Top-Hat intensity profile at a working distance of 400 mm. Homogeneity of the intensity distribution is better than 90%. The intensity in the focal plane is 1 kW/cm2. We will present a detailed characterization of the laser system, including measurements of power, power stability and intensity distribution of the homogenized laser beam. In addition we will compare the experimental data with the results of non-sequential raytracing simulations.

  10. High power, high contrast hybrid femtosecond laser systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dabu, Razvan

    2017-06-01

    For many research applications a very high laser intensity of more than 1022 W/cm2 in the focused beam is required. If a laser intensity of about 1011W/cm2 is reached on the target before the main laser pulse, the generated pre-plasma disturbs the experiment. High power femtosecond lasers must be tightly focused to get high intensity and in the same time must have a high enough intensity contrast of the temporally compressed amplified pulses. Reaching an intensity contrast in the range of 1012 represents a challenging task for a Ti:sapphire CPA laser. Hybrid femtosecond lasers combine optical parametric chirped pulsed amplification (OPCPA) in nonlinear crystals with the chirped pulse amplification (CPA) in laser active media. OPCPA provides large amplification spectral bandwidth and improves the intensity contrast of the amplified pulses. A key feature of these systems consists in the adaptation of the parametric amplification phase-matching bandwidth of nonlinear crystals to the spectral gain bandwidth of laser amplifying Ti:sapphire crystals. OPCPA in BBO crystals up to mJ energy level in the laser Front-End, followed by CPA up to ten/hundred Joules in large aperture Ti:sapphire crystals, represents a suitable solution for PW-class femtosecond lasers. The configuration and expected output beam characteristics of the hybrid amplification 2 × 10 PW ELI-NP laser are described.

  11. The effect of particle size on the heat affected zone during laser cladding of Ni-Cr-Si-B alloy on C45 carbon steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanigawa, Daichi; Abe, Nobuyuki; Tsukamoto, Masahiro; Hayashi, Yoshihiko; Yamazaki, Hiroyuki; Tatsumi, Yoshihiro; Yoneyama, Mikio

    2018-02-01

    Laser cladding is one of the most useful surface coating methods for improving the wear and corrosion resistance of material surfaces. Although the heat input associated with laser cladding is small, a heat affected zone (HAZ) is still generated within the substrate because this is a thermal process. In order to reduce the area of the HAZ, the heat input must therefore be reduced. In the present study, we examined the effects of the powdered raw material particle size on the heat input and the extent of the HAZ during powder bed laser cladding. Ni-Cr-Si-B alloy layers were produced on C45 carbon steel substrates in conjunction with alloy powders having average particle sizes of 30, 40 and 55 μm, while measuring the HAZ area by optical microscopy. The heat input required for layer formation was found to decrease as smaller particles were used, such that the HAZ area was also reduced.

  12. Research on Vacuum Laser Accelerator and Proof-of Principle Experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shao, Lei

    This thesis discovers a proof-of-principle theory of Vacuum Laser Acceleration (VLA) and proposes a new acceleration mechanism---Capture and Acceleration Scenario (CAS) in our far-field laser acceleration research, which is a promising new scheme in advanced acceleration field. In this thesis, I studied electrons' dynamic behaviors while interacting with intense laser beam. There are two kinds of dynamics trajectories, namely IS (Inelastic Scattering) and CAS. In CAS, electrons can be captured and moving along the laser beam for a long time and receive considerable energy exchange from the laser field, rather than quickly expelled from the intense field region of the laser as predicted by the conventional Ponderomotive Potential Model (PPM). This thesis shows the research on most parameters of both laser beam and electron beam which will affect this VLA scheme. One of the primary factors is the laser intensity. Relatively high laser intensity is critically required for VLA, and there are thresholds of intensity a0( th) for CAS occurrence; the thresholds are different under different laser beam waist widths which is also a very important parameter of laser beam. Laser intensity is still a big obstacle nowadays. In the last decade there are only a few laboratories have the laser power to ˜1019 W/cm2 and above. Our simulation shows that laser intensity threshold of CAS is around a0 = 5˜8, in correspondence to laser power around 1019˜1022 W/cm 2 depending on different wave length and waist width. The interaction is also sensitive to various electron beam parameters, such as the optimal initial electron energy falls in the range of 4--15 MeV, electron incident angle and position, and so on. At last the thesis presents out experimental work on this new VLA scheme. The collaboration is between our UCLA group and Brookhaven National Lab - Accelerator Test Facility (BNL-ATF). At BNL-ATF, they have both intense laser beam and high quality electron beam. The characters of BNL-ATF fit our project very well. The laser system at ATF is a short pulse CO2 laser. Under present ATF condition, the peak power of the CO2 laser is around 5J with pulse duration 5ps. Therefore the maximum laser intensity can reach a 0 ≈ 1.0. Such level of laser intensity is not sufficient to perform violent electron acceleration-CAS according to the threshold we defined. However this level intensity is already high enough to see basic proof-of-principle signal based on our extensive simulations with exact practical ATF experimental conditions. Another important factor is the electron beam condition. ATF uses photoinjector Radio Frequency (RF) gun system for electron beam. The working frequency is at constant level 2856MHz. Generally the electron beam deliver energy around 40MeV˜60MeV to the transport beam line. However as we mentioned before with relatively low laser intensity the electron initial energy is required to be lower as well correspondently. We tried best to tuned ATF electron beam energy down to 15MeV. With laser intensity around a 0 ≈ 1.0 and electron beam 15MeV, our simulation indicates to see energy spread expansion after interaction, and this effect increases while the laser intensity increases (even slightly change from a 0 ≈ 0.9 to 2.2). The experiment design is completed based on ATF beam line condition. The design and layout are presented. All the optical devices are acquired and machined. Installation and alignment have been done a few times for testing. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

  13. Method and apparatus for measuring the intensity and phase of an ultrashort light pulse

    DOEpatents

    Kane, Daniel J.; Trebino, Rick P.

    1998-01-01

    The pulse shape I(t) and phase evolution x(t) of ultrashort light pulses are obtained using an instantaneously responding nonlinear optical medium to form a signal pulse. A light pulse, such a laser pulse, is split into a gate pulse and a probe pulse, where the gate pulse is delayed relative to the probe pulse. The gate pulse and the probe pulse are combined within an instantaneously responding optical medium to form a signal pulse functionally related to a temporal slice of the gate pulse corresponding to the time delay of the probe pulse. The signal pulse is then input to a wavelength-selective device to output pulse field information comprising intensity vs. frequency for a first value of the time delay. The time delay is varied over a range of values effective to yield an intensity plot of signal intensity vs. wavelength and delay. In one embodiment, the beams are overlapped at an angle so that a selected range of delay times is within the intersection to produce a simultaneous output over the time delays of interest.

  14. Quantum Noise in Laser Diodes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Giacobino, E.; Marin, F.; Bramati, A.; Jost, V.; Poizat, J. Ph.; Roch, J.-F.; Grangier, P.; Zhang, T.-C.

    1996-01-01

    We have investigated the intensity noise of single mode laser diodes, either free-running or using different types of line narrowing techniques at room temperature. We have measured an intensity squeezing of 1.2 dB with grating-extended cavity lasers and 1.4 dB with injection locked lasers (respectively 1.6 dB and 2.3 dB inferred at the laser output). We have observed that the intensity noise of a free-running nominally single mode laser diode results from a cancellation effect between large anti-correlated fluctuations of the main mode and of weak longitudinal side modes. Reducing the side modes by line narrowing techniques results in intensity squeezing.

  15. Impact of CO2 laser and stannous fluoride on primary tooth erosion.

    PubMed

    Rocha, Cristiane Tomaz; Turssi, Cecilia Pedroso; Rodrigues-Júnior, Antonio Luiz; Corona, Silmara Aparecida Milori

    2016-04-01

    This study evaluated in vitro the effect of input power of CO2 laser, either associated or not to stannous fluoride (SnF2) gel, for the control of intrinsic erosion in primary teeth. One hundred four enamel slabs (3 × 3 × 2 mm) from human primary molars were flattened and polished. Adhesive tapes were placed on their surface leaving a window of 3 × 1 mm. Slabs were then cycled four times in 0.01 M hydrochloric acid (pH 2, 2 min) and in artificial saliva (2 h) for creation of erosive lesions. Specimens were randomly assigned into eight groups (n = 13) according to fluoride application [absent (control) or 0.4% stannous fluoride gel (SnF2)] and input power of CO2 laser [unlased (control), 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 W]. The CO2 laser irradiation was performed in an ultra-pulse mode (100 μs of pulse duration), 4-mm working distance, for 10 s. Specimens were then submitted to further erosive episodes for 5 days and evaluated for enamel relative permeability. Fluoride did not show any protective effect for any of the laser-treated groups or control (p = 0.185). However, a significant effect was detected for input power of CO2 laser (p = 0.037). Tukey's test showed that there was a significant statistically difference between specimens irradiated with 0.5 and 1.5 W (p = 0.028). The input power of 0.5 W showed lower permeability. Variation of input power CO2 laser can influence enamel permeability, at the power of 1.5 W which promoted greater permeability.

  16. Ps laser pulse induced stimulated Raman scattering of ammonium nitrate dissolved in water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, V. Rakesh; Kiran, P. Prem

    2018-04-01

    An intense picosecond laser pulse focused into a liquid medium generates a shock wave in the focal region. This shock wave while propagating into the medium varies the pressure and temperature of the liquid locally leading to the appearance of novel phases which are manifested by the appearance of Raman peaks. We present the phase changes of ammonium nitrate (AN) dissolved in water by studying the forward and backward stimulated Raman Scattering (FSRS and BSRS) signals due to propagation of 30 ps laser pulse induced shockwaves. The dominant peak corresponding to the NO3- symmetric stretching mode is observed with a Raman shift of 1045 cm-1 which represents phase IV of AN with an orthogonal crystalline structure. Apart from this peak, the dominant mode of liquid phase of water with a Raman shift of 3400 cm-1 and an ice VII peak at a Raman shift of 3050 cm-1 confirming the pressure of 10 GPa is observed. The effect of the concentration and input energy on the appearance of the phases will be presented.

  17. Applications of Ultra-Intense, Short Laser Pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ledingham, Ken W. D.

    The high intensity laser production of electron, proton, ion and photon beams is reviewed particularly with respect to the laser-plasma interaction which drives the acceleration process. A number of applications for these intense short pulse beams is discussed e.g. ion therapy, PET isotope production and laser driven transmutation studies. The future for laser driven nuclear physics at the huge new, multi-petawatt proposed laser installation ELI in Bucharest is described. Many people believe this will take European nuclear research to the next level.

  18. Low-intensity red and infrared lasers on XPA and XPC gene expression

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fonseca, A. S.; Magalhães, L. A. G.; Mencalha, A. L.; Ferreira-Machado, S. C.; Geller, M.; Paoli, F.

    2014-09-01

    Laser devices emit monochromatic, coherent, and highly collimated intense beams of light that are useful for a number of biomedical applications. However, for low-intensity lasers, possible adverse effects of laser light on DNA are still controversial. In this work, the expression of XPA and XPC genes in skin and muscle tissue exposed to low-intensity red and infrared lasers was evaluated. Skin and muscle tissue of Wistar rats were exposed to low-intensity red and infrared lasers at different fluences in continuous mode emission. Skin and muscle tissue samples were withdrawn for total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and evaluation of actin gene expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Data obtained show that laser radiation alters the expression of XPA and XPC mRNA differently in skin and muscle tissue of Wistar rats, depending on physical (fluence and wavelength) and biological (tissue) parameters. Laser light could modify expression of genes related to the nucleotide excision repair pathway at fluences and wavelengths used in clinical protocols.

  19. Low-intensity infrared lasers alter actin gene expression in skin and muscle tissue

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fonseca, A. S.; Mencalha, A. L.; Campos, V. M. A.; Ferreira-Machado, S. C.; Peregrino, A. A. F.; Magalhães, L. A. G.; Geller, M.; Paoli, F.

    2013-02-01

    The biostimulative effect of low-intensity lasers is the basis for treatment of diseases in soft tissues. However, data about the influence of biostimulative lasers on gene expression are still scarce. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of low-intensity infrared lasers on the expression of actin mRNA in skin and muscle tissue. Skin and muscle tissue of Wistar rats was exposed to low-intensity infrared laser radiation at different fluences and frequencies. One and 24 hours after laser exposure, tissue samples were withdrawn for total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and evaluation of actin gene expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The data obtained show that laser radiation alters the expression of actin mRNA differently in skin and muscle tissue of Wistar rats depending of the fluence, frequency and time after exposure. The results could be useful for laser dosimetry, as well as to justify the therapeutic protocols for treatment of diseases of skin and muscle tissues based on low-intensity infrared laser radiation.

  20. Towards manipulating relativistic laser pulses with micro-tube plasma lenses

    PubMed Central

    Ji, L. L.; Snyder, J.; Pukhov, A.; Freeman, R. R.; Akli, K. U.

    2016-01-01

    Efficient coupling of intense laser pulses to solid-density matter is critical to many applications including ion acceleration for cancer therapy. At relativistic intensities, the focus has been mainly on investigating various laser beams irradiating initially overdense flat interfaces with little or no control over the interaction. Here, we propose a novel approach that leverages recent advancements in 3D direct laser writing (DLW) of materials and high contrast lasers to manipulate the laser-matter interactions on the micro-scales. We demonstrate, via simulations, that usable intensities ≥1023 Wcm−2 could be achieved with current tabletop lasers coupled to micro-engineered plasma lenses. We show that these plasma optical elements act as a lens to focus laser light. These results open new paths to engineering light-matter interactions at ultra-relativistic intensities. PMID:26979657

  1. In vitro performance of DIAGNOdent laser fluorescence device for dental calculus detection on human tooth root surfaces.

    PubMed

    Rams, Thomas E; Alwaqyan, Abdulaziz Y

    2017-10-01

    This study assessed the reproducibility of a red diode laser device, and its capability to detect dental calculus in vitro on human tooth root surfaces. On each of 50 extracted teeth, a calculus-positive and calculus-free root surface was evaluated by two independent examiners with a low-power indium gallium arsenide phosphide diode laser (DIAGNOdent) fitted with a periodontal probe-like sapphire tip and emitting visible red light at 655 nm wavelength. Laser autofluorescence intensity readings of examined root surfaces were scored on a 0-99 scale, with duplicate assessments performed using the laser probe tip directed both perpendicular and parallel to evaluated tooth root surfaces. Pearson correlation coefficients of untransformed measurements, and kappa analysis of data dichotomized with a >40 autofluorescence intensity threshold, were calculated to assess intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of the laser device. Mean autofluorescence intensity scores of calculus-positive and calculus-free root surfaces were evaluated with the Student's t -test. Excellent intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility was found for DIAGNOdent laser autofluorescence intensity measurements, with Pearson correlation coefficients above 94%, and kappa values ranging between 0.96 and 1.0, for duplicate readings taken with both laser probe tip orientations. Significantly higher autofluorescence intensity values were measured when the laser probe tip was directed perpendicular, rather than parallel, to tooth root surfaces. However, calculus-positive roots, particularly with calculus in markedly-raised ledges, yielded significantly greater mean DIAGNOdent laser autofluorescence intensity scores than calculus-free surfaces, regardless of probe tip orientation. DIAGNOdent autofluorescence intensity values >40 exhibited a stronger association with calculus (36.6 odds ratio) then measurements of ≥5 (20.1 odds ratio) when the laser probe tip was advanced parallel to root surfaces. Excellent intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of autofluorescence intensity measurements was obtained with the DIAGNOdent laser fluorescence device on human tooth roots. Calculus-positive root surfaces exhibited significantly greater DIAGNOdent laser autofluorescence than calculus-free tooth roots, even with the laser probe tip directed parallel to root surfaces. These findings provide further in vitro validation of the potential utility of a DIAGNOdent laser fluorescence device for identifying dental calculus on human tooth root surfaces.

  2. Efficient terrestrial laser scan segmentation exploiting data structure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahmoudabadi, Hamid; Olsen, Michael J.; Todorovic, Sinisa

    2016-09-01

    New technologies such as lidar enable the rapid collection of massive datasets to model a 3D scene as a point cloud. However, while hardware technology continues to advance, processing 3D point clouds into informative models remains complex and time consuming. A common approach to increase processing efficiently is to segment the point cloud into smaller sections. This paper proposes a novel approach for point cloud segmentation using computer vision algorithms to analyze panoramic representations of individual laser scans. These panoramas can be quickly created using an inherent neighborhood structure that is established during the scanning process, which scans at fixed angular increments in a cylindrical or spherical coordinate system. In the proposed approach, a selected image segmentation algorithm is applied on several input layers exploiting this angular structure including laser intensity, range, normal vectors, and color information. These segments are then mapped back to the 3D point cloud so that modeling can be completed more efficiently. This approach does not depend on pre-defined mathematical models and consequently setting parameters for them. Unlike common geometrical point cloud segmentation methods, the proposed method employs the colorimetric and intensity data as another source of information. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated on several datasets encompassing variety of scenes and objects. Results show a very high perceptual (visual) level of segmentation and thereby the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. The proposed method is also more efficient compared to Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC), which is a common approach for point cloud segmentation.

  3. Modulated CMOS camera for fluorescence lifetime microscopy.

    PubMed

    Chen, Hongtao; Holst, Gerhard; Gratton, Enrico

    2015-12-01

    Widefield frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FD-FLIM) is a fast and accurate method to measure the fluorescence lifetime of entire images. However, the complexity and high costs involved in construction of such a system limit the extensive use of this technique. PCO AG recently released the first luminescence lifetime imaging camera based on a high frequency modulated CMOS image sensor, QMFLIM2. Here we tested and provide operational procedures to calibrate the camera and to improve the accuracy using corrections necessary for image analysis. With its flexible input/output options, we are able to use a modulated laser diode or a 20 MHz pulsed white supercontinuum laser as the light source. The output of the camera consists of a stack of modulated images that can be analyzed by the SimFCS software using the phasor approach. The nonuniform system response across the image sensor must be calibrated at the pixel level. This pixel calibration is crucial and needed for every camera settings, e.g. modulation frequency and exposure time. A significant dependency of the modulation signal on the intensity was also observed and hence an additional calibration is needed for each pixel depending on the pixel intensity level. These corrections are important not only for the fundamental frequency, but also for the higher harmonics when using the pulsed supercontinuum laser. With these post data acquisition corrections, the PCO CMOS-FLIM camera can be used for various biomedical applications requiring a large frame and high speed acquisition. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Measurement of Laser Weld Temperatures for 3D Model Input

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dagel, Daryl; Grossetete, Grant; Maccallum, Danny O.

    Laser welding is a key joining process used extensively in the manufacture and assembly of critical components for several weapons systems. Sandia National Laboratories advances the understanding of the laser welding process through coupled experimentation and modeling. This report summarizes the experimental portion of the research program, which focused on measuring temperatures and thermal history of laser welds on steel plates. To increase confidence in measurement accuracy, researchers utilized multiple complementary techniques to acquire temperatures during laser welding. This data serves as input to and validation of 3D laser welding models aimed at predicting microstructure and the formation of defectsmore » and their impact on weld-joint reliability, a crucial step in rapid prototyping of weapons components.« less

  5. Laser Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1981. Symposium on Optical Materials for High Power Lasers (13th). Held in Boulder, Colorado on 17-18 November 1981

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-09-01

    pulses Ncr) of polymer materials in the multiple irradiation regime at a fixed laser intensity corresponding to Ncr = 20 for PMMA...KCl to repetitively pulsed 10.6 ~m laser irradiation . The technique of pulsed laser calorimetry [1] was used and at low intensity (~2s0 Mw/cm 2 ) a...power pulsed lasers . Under irradiation by high in­ tensity pUlsed monochromatic sources intensity dependent absorption mechanisms can be

  6. Laser ablation of PMMA doped with benzyl

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jun; Niino, Hiroyuki; Yabe, Akira

    1998-08-01

    KrF-laser ablation of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) doped with benzil was studied from the viewpoint of nonlinear absorption of the PMMA film during the laser irradiation. After measuring the relationship between the transmission and incident laser intensity, we developed a novel method to obtain absorption coefficient depending on laser intensity. Using the nonlinear absorption coefficient of PMMA doped with benzil, we succeeded in fitting the relationship of etch depth and laser intensity. The dependence of concentration of benzil in PMMA film and the difference between benzil and pyrene were also discussed.

  7. Dynamic light scattering homodyne probe

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Meyer, William V. (Inventor); Cannell, David S. (Inventor); Smart, Anthony E. (Inventor)

    2002-01-01

    An optical probe for analyzing a sample illuminated by a laser includes an input optical fiber operably connectable to the laser where the input optical fiber has an entrance end and an exit end. The probe also includes a first beam splitter where the first beam splitter is adapted to transmit an alignment portion of a light beam from the input fiber exit end and to reflect a homodyning portion of the light beam from the input fiber. The probe also includes a lens between the input fiber exit end and the first beam splitter and a first and a second output optical fiber, each having an entrance end and an exit end, each exit end being operably connectable to respective optical detectors. The probe also includes a second beam splitter which is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the reflected homodyning portion into the output fiber entrance ends and to transmit light from the laser scattered by the sample into the entrance ends.

  8. Application of Advanced Laser Diagnostics to High-Impact Technologies: Science and Applications of Ultrafast, Ultraintense Lasers

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-11-01

    ultrashort - pulse lasers because of the very large photon density. As the intensity increases, the electric field of the light can modify the Coulomb ...absorption studies of argon clusters in intense laser pulses ,” Physics of Plasmas 16(4), 043301-1 – 043301-5. Lu, W., Nicoul, M., Shymanovich, U... intensity of ultrashort - pulse lasers , possess unique and advantageous capabilities for use in a wide variety of applications and are

  9. Method and system for compact efficient laser architecture

    DOEpatents

    Bayramian, Andrew James; Erlandson, Alvin Charles; Manes, Kenneth Rene; Spaeth, Mary Louis; Caird, John Allyn; Deri, Robert J.

    2015-09-15

    A laser amplifier module having an enclosure includes an input window, a mirror optically coupled to the input window and disposed in a first plane, and a first amplifier head disposed along an optical amplification path adjacent a first end of the enclosure. The laser amplifier module also includes a second amplifier head disposed along the optical amplification path adjacent a second end of the enclosure and a cavity mirror disposed along the optical amplification path.

  10. Extraordinary variation of pump light intensity inside a four-level solid-state laser medium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Hua; Fu, Rulian; Wang, Zhaoqi; Liu, Juan

    2008-08-01

    A theoretical investigation of the absorption of the pump light at different intensities through a four-level solid-state laser medium is presented. It is found that the variation of the pump intensity inside the laser medium cannot always simply be dominated by Beer's law. Transmission of the pump light through this laser medium is closely related to the pump intensity itself. In fact, when the pump intensity is relatively low, whose values depend on the characteristics of the medium, the variation of the pump light through the laser medium is consistent with Beer's law. However, while the pump intensity is high enough, the relationship between the transmission of the pump light and its propagation distance is demonstrated to be linear. These theoretical results have been confirmed by the experiment with a medium of YAG:Nd.

  11. X-Ray Radiation Measurements With Photodiodes In Plasmas Generated By 1017 W/Cm2 Intensity Krf Excimer Laser Pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rácz, E.; Földes, I. B.; Ryć, L.

    2006-01-01

    Experiments were carried out using a prepulse-free hybrid KrF excimer-dye laser system (700fs pulse duration, 248nm wavelength, 15mJ pulse energy). The intensity of the p-polarized, focused laser beam was 1.5ṡ1017 W/cm2. Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and x-rays from solid state laser plasmas were generated in the laser-plasma interaction of subpicosecond laser pulses of nonrelativistic laser intensities. An x-ray sensitive FLM photodiode (ITE, Warsaw) was used to detect x-rays between 1-19 keV in front of the targets. The diode was filtered by a 4μm Al foil. The dependence of the x-ray flux on laser intensity and the angular distribution of x-rays for aluminum and copper targets in the half space of the front side of the targets were investigated.

  12. Near field optical probe for critical dimension measurements

    DOEpatents

    Stallard, Brian R.; Kaushik, Sumanth

    1999-01-01

    A resonant planar optical waveguide probe for measuring critical dimensions on an object in the range of 100 nm and below. The optical waveguide includes a central resonant cavity flanked by Bragg reflector layers with input and output means at either end. Light is supplied by a narrow bandwidth laser source. Light resonating in the cavity creates an evanescent electrical field. The object with the structures to be measured is translated past the resonant cavity. The refractive index contrasts presented by the structures perturb the field and cause variations in the intensity of the light in the cavity. The topography of the structures is determined from these variations.

  13. Superstrong field science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tajima, T.; Mourou, G.

    2002-04-01

    Over the past fifteen years we have seen a surge in our ability to produce high intensities, five to six orders of magnitude higher than was possible before. At these intensities, particles, electrons and protons, acquire kinetic energy in the mega-electron-volt range through interaction with intense laser fields. This opens a new age for the laser, the age of nonlinear relativistic optics coupling even with nuclear physics. We suggest a path to reach an extremely high-intensity level 1026-28 W/cm2 in the coming decade, much beyond the current and near future intensity regime 1023 W/cm2, taking advantage of the megajoule laser facilities. Such a laser at extreme high intensity could accelerate particles to frontiers of high energy, tera-electron-volt and peta-electron-volt, and would become a tool of fundamental physics encompassing particle physics, gravitational physics, nonlinear field theory, ultrahigh-pressure physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Such a laser intensity may also be very beneficial to an alternative, more direct approach of fast ignition in laser fusion. We suggest a new possibility to explore this. .

  14. Continuous-wave to pulse regimes for a family of passively mode-locked lasers with saturable nonlinearity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dikandé, Alain M.; Voma Titafan, J.; Essimbi, B. Z.

    2017-10-01

    The transition dynamics from continuous-wave to pulse regimes of operation for a generic model of passively mode-locked lasers with saturable absorbers, characterized by an active medium with non-Kerr nonlinearity, are investigated analytically and numerically. The system is described by a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation with a general m:n saturable nonlinearity (i.e {I}m/{(1+{{Γ }}I)}n, where I is the field intensity and m and n are two positive numbers), coupled to a two-level gain equation. An analysis of stability of continuous waves, following the modulational instability approach, provides a global picture of the self-starting dynamics in the system. The analysis reveals two distinct routes depending on values of the couple (m, n), and on the dispersion regime: in the normal dispersion regime, when m = 2 and n is arbitrary, the self-starting requires positive values of the fast saturable absorber and nonlinearity coefficients, but negative values of these two parameters for the family with m = 0. However, when the spectral filter is negative, the laser can self-start for certain values of the input field and the nonlinearity saturation coefficient Γ. The present work provides a general map for the self-starting mechanisms of rare-earth doped figure-eight fiber lasers, as well as Kerr-lens mode-locked solid-state lasers.

  15. Guiding of laser pulses in plasma waveguides created by linearly-polarized femtosecond laser pulses

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lemos, N.; Cardoso, L.; Geada, J.

    We experimentally demonstrate that plasma waveguides produced with ultra-short laser pulses (sub-picosecond) in gas jets are capable of guiding high intensity laser pulses. This scheme has the unique ability of guiding a high-intensity laser pulse in a plasma waveguide created by the same laser system in the very simple and stable experimental setup. A hot plasma column was created by a femtosecond class laser that expands into an on-axis parabolic low density profile suitable to act as a waveguide for high intensity laser beams. We have successfully guided ~10 15 W cm -2 laser pulses in a 8 mm longmore » hydrogen plasma waveguide with a 35% guiding efficiency.« less

  16. Guiding of laser pulses in plasma waveguides created by linearly-polarized femtosecond laser pulses

    DOE PAGES

    Lemos, N.; Cardoso, L.; Geada, J.; ...

    2018-02-16

    We experimentally demonstrate that plasma waveguides produced with ultra-short laser pulses (sub-picosecond) in gas jets are capable of guiding high intensity laser pulses. This scheme has the unique ability of guiding a high-intensity laser pulse in a plasma waveguide created by the same laser system in the very simple and stable experimental setup. A hot plasma column was created by a femtosecond class laser that expands into an on-axis parabolic low density profile suitable to act as a waveguide for high intensity laser beams. We have successfully guided ~10 15 W cm -2 laser pulses in a 8 mm longmore » hydrogen plasma waveguide with a 35% guiding efficiency.« less

  17. Imaging System With Confocally Self-Detecting Laser.

    DOEpatents

    Webb, Robert H.; Rogomentich, Fran J.

    1996-10-08

    The invention relates to a confocal laser imaging system and method. The system includes a laser source, a beam splitter, focusing elements, and a photosensitive detector. The laser source projects a laser beam along a first optical path at an object to be imaged, and modulates the intensity of the projected laser beam in response to light reflected from the object. A beam splitter directs a portion of the projected laser beam onto a photodetector. The photodetector monitors the intensity of laser output. The laser source can be an electrically scannable array, with a lens or objective assembly for focusing light generated by the array onto the object of interest. As the array is energized, its laser beams scan over the object, and light reflected at each point is returned by the lens to the element of the array from which it originated. A single photosensitive detector element can generate an intensity-representative signal for all lasers of the array. The intensity-representative signal from the photosensitive detector can be processed to provide an image of the object of interest.

  18. Spatiotemporal dynamics of Gaussian laser pulse in a multi ions plasma

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jafari Milani, M. R., E-mail: mrj.milani@gmail.com

    Spatiotemporal evolutions of Gaussian laser pulse propagating through a plasma with multiple charged ions are studied, taking into account the ponderomotive nonlinearity. Coupled differential equations for beam width and pulse length parameters are established and numerically solved using paraxial ray approximation. In one-dimensional geometry, effects of laser and plasma parameters such as laser intensity, plasma density, and temperature on the longitudinal pulse compression and the laser intensity distribution are analyzed for plasmas with singly and doubly charged ions. The results demonstrate that self-compression occurs in a laser intensity range with a turning point intensity in which the self-compression process hasmore » its strongest extent. The results also show that the multiply ionized ions have different effect on the pulse compression above and below turning point intensity. Finally, three-dimensional geometry is used to analyze the simultaneous evolution of both self-focusing and self-compression of Gaussian laser pulse in such plasmas.« less

  19. Qualitative tissue differentiation by analysing the intensity ratios of atomic emission lines using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): prospects for a feedback mechanism for surgical laser systems.

    PubMed

    Kanawade, Rajesh; Mahari, Fanuel; Klämpfl, Florian; Rohde, Maximilian; Knipfer, Christian; Tangermann-Gerk, Katja; Adler, Werner; Schmidt, Michael; Stelzle, Florian

    2015-01-01

    The research work presented in this paper focuses on qualitative tissue differentiation by monitoring the intensity ratios of atomic emissions using 'Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy' (LIBS) on the plasma plume created during laser tissue ablation. The background of this study is to establish a real time feedback control mechanism for clinical laser surgery systems during the laser ablation process. Ex-vivo domestic pig tissue samples (muscle, fat, nerve and skin) were used in this experiment. Atomic emission intensity ratios were analyzed to find a characteristic spectral line for each tissue. The results showed characteristic elemental emission intensity ratios for the respective tissues. The spectral lines and intensity ratios of these specific elements varied among the different tissue types. The main goal of this study is to qualitatively and precisely identify different tissue types for tissue specific laser surgery. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Biophotonics published by WILEY-VCH Verlag.

  20. Simulation based analysis of laser beam brazing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dobler, Michael; Wiethop, Philipp; Schmid, Daniel; Schmidt, Michael

    2016-03-01

    Laser beam brazing is a well-established joining technology in car body manufacturing with main applications in the joining of divided tailgates and the joining of roof and side panels. A key advantage of laser brazed joints is the seam's visual quality which satisfies highest requirements. However, the laser beam brazing process is very complex and process dynamics are only partially understood. In order to gain deeper knowledge of the laser beam brazing process, to determine optimal process parameters and to test process variants, a transient three-dimensional simulation model of laser beam brazing is developed. This model takes into account energy input, heat transfer as well as fluid and wetting dynamics that lead to the formation of the brazing seam. A validation of the simulation model is performed by metallographic analysis and thermocouple measurements for different parameter sets of the brazing process. These results show that the multi-physical simulation model not only can be used to gain insight into the laser brazing process but also offers the possibility of process optimization in industrial applications. The model's capabilities in determining optimal process parameters are exemplarily shown for the laser power. Small deviations in the energy input can affect the brazing results significantly. Therefore, the simulation model is used to analyze the effect of the lateral laser beam position on the energy input and the resulting brazing seam.

  1. Heat input and accumulation for ultrashort pulse processing with high average power

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Finger, Johannes; Bornschlegel, Benedikt; Reininghaus, Martin; Dohrn, Andreas; Nießen, Markus; Gillner, Arnold; Poprawe, Reinhart

    2018-05-01

    Materials processing using ultrashort pulsed laser radiation with pulse durations <10 ps is known to enable very precise processing with negligible thermal load. However, even for the application of picosecond and femtosecond laser radiation, not the full amount of the absorbed energy is converted into ablation products and a distinct fraction of the absorbed energy remains as residual heat in the processed workpiece. For low average power and power densities, this heat is usually not relevant for the processing results and dissipates into the workpiece. In contrast, when higher average powers and repetition rates are applied to increase the throughput and upscale ultrashort pulse processing, this heat input becomes relevant and significantly affects the achieved processing results. In this paper, we outline the relevance of heat input for ultrashort pulse processing, starting with the heat input of a single ultrashort laser pulse. Heat accumulation during ultrashort pulse processing with high repetition rate is discussed as well as heat accumulation for materials processing using pulse bursts. In addition, the relevance of heat accumulation with multiple scanning passes and processing with multiple laser spots is shown.

  2. Effect of nonlinearity saturation on hot-image formation in cascaded saturable nonlinear medium slabs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Youwen; Dai, Zhiping; Ling, Xiaohui; Chen, Liezun; Lu, Shizhuan; You, Kaiming

    2016-11-01

    In high-power laser system such as Petawatt lasers, the laser beam can be intense enough to result in saturation of nonlinear refraction index of medium. Based on the standard linearization method of small-scale self-focusing and the split-step Fourier numerical calculation method, we present analytical and simulative investigations on the hot-image formation in cascaded saturable nonlinear medium slabs, to disclose the effect of nonlinearity saturation on the distribution and intensity of hot images. The analytical and simulative results are found in good agreement. It is shown that, saturable nonlinearity does not change the distribution of hot images, while may greatly affect the intensity of hot images, i.e., for a given saturation light intensity, with the intensity of the incident laser beam, the intensity of hot images firstly increases monotonously and eventually reaches a saturation; for the incident laser beam of a given intensity, with the saturation light intensity lowering, the intensity of hot images decreases rapidly, even resulting in a few hot images too weak to be visible.

  3. Preliminary Investigation of Keyhole Phenomena during Single Layer Fabrication in Laser Additive Manufacturing of Stainless Steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matilainen, Ville-Pekka; Piili, Heidi; Salminen, Antti; Nyrhilä, Olli

    Laser additive manufacturing (LAM) is a fabrication technology that enables production of complex parts from metallic materials with mechanical properties comparable to conventionally manufactured parts. In the LAM process, parts are manufactured by melting metallic powder layer-by-layer with a laser beam. This manufacturing technology is nowadays called powder bed fusion (PBF) according to the ASTM F2792-12a standard. This strategy involves several different independent and dependent thermal cycles, all of which have an influence on the final properties of the manufactured part. The quality of PBF parts depends strongly on the characteristics of each single laser-melted track and each single layer. This study consequently concentrates on investigating the effects of process parameters such as laser power on single track and layer formation and laser-material interaction phenomena occurring during the PBF process. Experimental tests were done with two different machines: a modified research machine based on an EOS EOSINT M-series system and an EOS EOSINT M280 system. The material used was EOS stainless steel 17-4 PH. Process monitoring was done with an active illuminated high speed camera system. After microscopy analysis, it was concluded that a keyhole can form during laser additive manufacturing of stainless steel. It was noted that heat input has an important effect on the likelihood of keyhole formation. The threshold intensity value for keyhole formation of 106 W/cm2 was exceeded in all manufactured single tracks. Laser interaction time was found to have an effect on penetration depth and keyhole formation, since the penetration depth increased with increased laser interaction time. It was also concluded that active illuminated high speed camera systems are suitable for monitoring of the manufacturing process and facilitate process control.

  4. Broadband thermal optical limiter for the protection of eyes and sensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Justus, Brian L.; Huston, Alan L.; Campillo, Anthony J.

    1994-05-01

    A broadband thermal optical limiter for protecting a light sensitive object from intense laser beams at all near ultraviolet, visible and near infrared wavelengths is disclosed. The broadband thermal optical limiter comprises: a sample cell containing a solution of broadband absorber material dissolved in a thermal solvent; and a first optical device for converging an incident laser beam into the sample cell. The sample cell is responsive to a converged incident laser beam below a predetermined intensity level for passing therethrough the converged incident laser beam below the predetermined intensity level. The sample cell is also responsive to a converged incident laser beam at or above a predetermined intensity level for thermally defocusing substantially all of the converged incident laser beam in different directions and passing therethrough only a remaining small portion of the converged incident laser beam at or above the predetermined intensity level. The broadband thermal optical limiter further includes a second optical device for focusing substantially all of the laser beam passing through the sample cell into the light sensitive object to be protected.

  5. Laser-driven ion acceleration: methods, challenges and prospects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Badziak, J.

    2018-01-01

    The recent development of laser technology has resulted in the construction of short-pulse lasers capable of generating fs light pulses with PW powers and intensities exceeding 1021 W/cm2, and has laid the basis for the multi-PW lasers, just being built in Europe, that will produce fs pulses of ultra-relativistic intensities ~ 1023 - 1024 W/cm2. The interaction of such an intense laser pulse with a dense target can result in the generation of collimated beams of ions of multi-MeV to GeV energies of sub-ps time durations and of extremely high beam intensities and ion fluencies, barely attainable with conventional RF-driven accelerators. Ion beams with such unique features have the potential for application in various fields of scientific research as well as in medical and technological developments. This paper provides a brief review of state-of-the art in laser-driven ion acceleration, with a focus on basic ion acceleration mechanisms and the production of ultra-intense ion beams. The challenges facing laser-driven ion acceleration studies, in particular those connected with potential applications of laser-accelerated ion beams, are also discussed.

  6. Efficiency and threshold pump intensity of CW solar-pumped solid-state lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hwang, In H.; Lee, Ja H.

    1991-01-01

    The authors consider the relation between the threshold pumping intensity, the material properties, the resonator parameters, and the ultimate slope efficiencies of various solid-state laser materials for solar pumping. They clarify the relation between the threshold pump intensity and the material parameters and the relation between the ultimate slope efficiency and the laser resonator parameters such that a design criterion for the solar-pumped solid-state laser can be established. Among the laser materials evaluated, alexandrite has the highest slope efficiency of about 12.6 percent; however, it does not seem to be practical for a solar-pumped laser application because of its high threshold pump intensity. Cr:Nd:GSGG is the most promising for solar-pumped lasing. Its threshold pump intensity is about 100 air-mass-zero (AM0) solar constants and its slope efficiency is about 12 percent when thermal deformation is completely prevented.

  7. Apparatus and process for active pulse intensity control of laser beam

    DOEpatents

    Wilcox, Russell B.

    1992-01-01

    An optically controlled laser pulse energy control apparatus and process is disclosed wherein variations in the energy of a portion of the laser beam are used to vary the resistance of a photodetector such as a photoresistor through which a control voltage is fed to a light intensity controlling device through which a second portion of the laser beam passes. Light attenuation means are provided to vary the intensity of the laser light used to control the resistance of the photodetector. An optical delay path is provided through which the second portion of the beam travels before reaching the light intensity controlling device. The control voltage is supplied by a variable power supply. The apparatus may be tuned to properly attenuate the laser beam passing through the intensity controlling device by adjusting the power supply, the optical delay path, or the light attenuating means.

  8. EFFECTS OF LASER RADIATION ON MATTER. LASER PLASMA: Feasibility of investigation of optical breakdown statistics using multifrequency lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ulanov, S. F.

    1990-06-01

    A method proposed for investigating the statistics of bulk optical breakdown relies on multifrequency lasers, which eliminates the influence of the laser radiation intensity statistics. The method is based on preliminary recording of the peak intensity statistics of multifrequency laser radiation pulses at the caustic using the optical breakdown threshold of K8 glass. The probability density distribution function was obtained at the focus for the peak intensities of the radiation pulses of a multifrequency laser. This method may be used to study the self-interaction under conditions of bulk optical breakdown of transparent dielectrics.

  9. Effect of Heat Input on the Tensile Damage Evolution in Pulsed Laser Welded Ti6Al4V Titanium Sheets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Jing; Gao, Xiaolong; Zhang, Jianxun

    2016-11-01

    The present paper is focused on studying the effect of heat input on the tensile damage evolution of pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of Ti6Al4V alloy under monotonic loading. To analyze the reasons that the tensile fracture site of the pulsed-laser-welded Ti6Al4V sheet joints changes with the heat input under monotonic loading, the microstructure of the sample with different nominal strain values was investigated by in situ observation. Experiment results show that the tensile ductility and fatigue life of welded joints with low heat input are higher than that of welded joints with high heat input. Under tensile loads, the critical engineering strain for crack initiation is much lower in the welded joint with high heat input than in the welded joints with low and medium heat input. And the microstructural damage accumulation is much faster in the fusion zone than in the base metal for the welded joints with high input, whereas the microstructural damage accumulation is much faster in the base metal than in the fusion zone for the welded joints with low input. Consequently, the welded joints fractured in the fusion zone for the welds with high heat input, whereas the welded joints ruptured in the base metal for the welds with low heat input. It is proved that the fine grain microstructure produced by low heat input can improve the critical nominal strain for crack initiation and the resistance ability of microstructural damage.

  10. Device for translating negative film image to a line scan

    DOEpatents

    Dutton, G.W.

    1998-05-19

    A negative film reader records high-resolution optical density changes across negative film radiographic images to allow precise image dimensions to be determined. A laser light source capable of high-resolution focusing is passed through an intensity control filter, focused by a lens, and reflected off a mirror to focus in the plane of the negative film. The light transmitted through the film is collected by a second lens and directed to a photo diode detector which senses the transmitted intensity. The output of the photo diode signal amplifier is sent to the Y-axis input of an X-Y recorder. The film sample is transported in a plane perpendicular to the beam axis by means of a slide. The film position is monitored, with the signal amplified and recorded as the X-axis on the X-Y recorder. The linear dimensions and positions of image components can be determined by direct measurement of the amplified recording.

  11. Vector generator scan converter

    DOEpatents

    Moore, James M.; Leighton, James F.

    1990-01-01

    High printing speeds for graphics data are achieved with a laser printer by transmitting compressed graphics data from a main processor over an I/O (input/output) channel to a vector generator scan converter which reconstructs a full graphics image for input to the laser printer through a raster data input port. The vector generator scan converter includes a microprocessor with associated microcode memory containing a microcode instruction set, a working memory for storing compressed data, vector generator hardward for drawing a full graphic image from vector parameters calculated by the microprocessor, image buffer memory for storing the reconstructed graphics image and an output scanner for reading the graphics image data and inputting the data to the printer. The vector generator scan converter eliminates the bottleneck created by the I/O channel for transmitting graphics data from the main processor to the laser printer, and increases printer speed up to thirty fold.

  12. Matching optics for Gaussian beams

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gunter, William D. (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    A system of matching optics for Gaussian beams is described. The matching optics system is positioned between a light beam emitter (such as a laser) and the input optics of a second optics system whereby the output from the light beam emitter is converted into an optimum input for the succeeding parts of the second optical system. The matching optics arrangement includes the combination of a light beam emitter, such as a laser with a movable afocal lens pair (telescope) and a single movable lens placed in the laser's output beam. The single movable lens serves as an input to the telescope. If desired, a second lens, which may be fixed, is positioned in the beam before the adjustable lens to serve as an input processor to the movable lens. The system provides the ability to choose waist diameter and position independently and achieve the desired values with two simple adjustments not requiring iteration.

  13. Coherence properties of spontaneous parametric down-conversion pumped by a multi-mode cw diode laser.

    PubMed

    Kwon, Osung; Ra, Young-Sik; Kim, Yoon-Ho

    2009-07-20

    Coherence properties of the photon pair generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion pumped by a multi-mode cw diode laser are studied with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Each photon of the pair enters a different input port of the interferometer and the biphoton coherence properties are studied with a two-photon detector placed at one output port. When the photon pair simultaneously enters the interferometer, periodic recurrence of the biphoton de Broglie wave packet is observed, closely resembling the coherence properties of the pump diode laser. With non-zero delays between the photons at the input ports, biphoton interference exhibits the same periodic recurrence but the wave packet shapes are shown to be dependent on both the input delay as well as the interferometer delay. These properties could be useful for building engineered entangled photon sources based on diode laser-pumped spontaneous parametric down-conversion.

  14. Integrated injection seeded terahertz source and amplifier for time-domain spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Maysonnave, J; Jukam, N; Ibrahim, M S M; Maussang, K; Madéo, J; Cavalié, P; Dean, P; Khanna, S P; Steenson, D P; Linfield, E H; Davies, A G; Tignon, J; Dhillon, S S

    2012-02-15

    We used a terahertz (THz) quantum cascade laser (QCL) as an integrated injection seeded source and amplifier for THz time-domain spectroscopy. A THz input pulse is generated inside a QCL by illuminating the laser facet with a near-IR pulse from a femtosecond laser and amplified using gain switching. The THz output from the QCL is found to saturate upon increasing the amplitude of the THz input power, which indicates that the QCL is operating in an injection seeded regime.

  15. Novel space-time trellis codes for free-space optical communications using transmit laser selection.

    PubMed

    García-Zambrana, Antonio; Boluda-Ruiz, Rubén; Castillo-Vázquez, Carmen; Castillo-Vázquez, Beatriz

    2015-09-21

    In this paper, the deployment of novel space-time trellis codes (STTCs) with transmit laser selection (TLS) for free-space optical (FSO) communication systems using intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) over atmospheric turbulence and misalignment fading channels is presented. Combining TLS and STTC with rate 1 bit/(s · Hz), a new code design criterion based on the use of the largest order statistics is here proposed for multiple-input/single-output (MISO) FSO systems in order to improve the diversity order gain by properly chosing the transmit lasers out of the available L lasers. Based on a pairwise error probability (PEP) analysis, closed-form asymptotic bit error-rate (BER) expressions in the range from low to high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are derived when the irradiance of the transmitted optical beam is susceptible to moderate-to-strong turbulence conditions, following a gamma-gamma (GG) distribution, and pointing error effects, following a misalignment fading model where the effect of beam width, detector size and jitter variance is considered. Obtained results show diversity orders of 2L and 3L when simple two-state and four-state STTCs are considered, respectively. Simulation results are further demonstrated to confirm the analytical results.

  16. Coulomb explosion of hydrogen clusters irradiated by an ultrashort intense laser pulse

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li Hongyu; Liu Jiansheng; Wang Cheng

    The explosion dynamics of hydrogen clusters driven by an ultrashort intense laser pulse has been analyzed analytically and numerically by employing a simplified Coulomb explosion model. The dependence of average and maximum proton kinetic energy on cluster size, pulse duration, and laser intensity has been investigated respectively. The existence of an optimum cluster size allows the proton energy to reach the maximum when the cluster size matches with the intensity and the duration of the laser pulse. In order to explain our experimental results such as the measured proton energy spectrum and the saturation effect of proton energy, the effectsmore » of cluster size distribution as well as the laser intensity distribution on the focus spot should be considered. A good agreement between them is obtained.« less

  17. Coulomb explosion of hydrogen clusters irradiated by an ultrashort intense laser pulse

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Hongyu; Liu, Jiansheng; Wang, Cheng; Ni, Guoquan; Li, Ruxin; Xu, Zhizhan

    2006-08-01

    The explosion dynamics of hydrogen clusters driven by an ultrashort intense laser pulse has been analyzed analytically and numerically by employing a simplified Coulomb explosion model. The dependence of average and maximum proton kinetic energy on cluster size, pulse duration, and laser intensity has been investigated respectively. The existence of an optimum cluster size allows the proton energy to reach the maximum when the cluster size matches with the intensity and the duration of the laser pulse. In order to explain our experimental results such as the measured proton energy spectrum and the saturation effect of proton energy, the effects of cluster size distribution as well as the laser intensity distribution on the focus spot should be considered. A good agreement between them is obtained.

  18. The effect of laser radiation on the diffraction of X-rays in crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trushin, V. N.; Chuprunov, E. V.; Khokhlov, A. F.

    1988-10-01

    The effect of laser radiation on the intensity of the X-ray diffraction peaks of KDP, ADP, and CuSO4-5H2O crystals was studied experimentally. This intensity was found to increase as a function of the laser beam power. This result suggests that it is possible to use laser beams to control X-ray intensity in the crystals considered.

  19. Reduction of angular divergence of laser-driven ion beams during their acceleration and transport

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zakova, M.; Pšikal, Jan; Margarone, Daniele; Maggiore, Mario; Korn, G.

    2015-05-01

    Laser plasma physics is a field of big interest because of its implications in basic science, fast ignition, medicine (i.e. hadrontherapy), astrophysics, material science, particle acceleration etc. 100-MeV class protons accelerated from the interaction of a short laser pulse with a thin target have been demonstrated. With continuing development of laser technology, greater and greater energies are expected, therefore projects focusing on various applications are being formed, e.g. ELIMAIA (ELI Multidisciplinary Applications of laser-Ion Acceleration). One of the main characteristic and crucial disadvantage of ion beams accelerated by ultra-short intense laser pulses is their large divergence, not suitable for the most of applications. In this paper two ways how to decrease beam divergence are proposed. Firstly, impact of different design of targets on beam divergence is studied by using 2D Particlein-cell simulations (PIC). Namely, various types of targets include at foils, curved foil and foils with diverse microstructures. Obtained results show that well-designed microstructures, i.e. a hole in the center of the target, can produce proton beam with the lowest divergence. Moreover, the particle beam accelerated from a curved foil has lower divergence compared to the beam from a flat foil. Secondly, another proposed method for the divergence reduction is using of a magnetic solenoid. The trajectories of the laser accelerated particles passing through the solenoid are modeled in a simple Matlab program. Results from PIC simulations are used as input in the program. The divergence is controlled by optimizing the magnetic field inside the solenoid and installing an aperture in front of the device.

  20. A novel mobile dual-wavelength laser altimetry system for improved site-specific Nitrogen fertilizer applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eitel, J.; Magney, T. S.; Vierling, L. A.; Brown, T. T.; Huggins, D. R.

    2012-12-01

    Reducing fertilizer inputs while maintaining yield would increase farmer's profits and similarly lessen the adverse environmental effects of production agriculture. The development of technologies that allow precise, site-specific application of Nitrogen (N) fertilizer has thus been an important research goal over the past decades. Remote sensing of foliar crop properties and function with tractor-mountable optical sensors has thought to be useful to optimize N fertilizer applications. However, on-the-go sensing of foliar crop properties and function has proven difficult, particularly during early crop growth stages when fertilizer decisions are often made. This difficulty arises from the fact that the spectral signal measured by on-the-go sensors is dominated by soil reflectance during early crop growth stages. Here, we present the basic principles behind a novel, dual-wavelength, tractor mountable laser altimetry system that measures the laser return intensity of the reflected green and red laser light. The green (532 nm) and the red (660 nm) wavelength combination allows calculation of a modified Photochemical Reflectance Index (mPRI) that have shown to be sensitive to both crop function and foliar chemistry. The small field of view of the laser points (diameter: 4 mm) combined with its high sampling rate (1000 points sec-1) allows vegetation returns to be isolated from ground returns by using simple thresholds. First tests relating foliar N of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with laser derived mPRI are promising (r2 = 0.72). Further research is needed to test the relationship between laser derived spectral indices and crop function.

  1. Higher-order paraxial theory of the propagation of ring rippled laser beam in plasma: Relativistic ponderomotive regime

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Purohit, Gunjan, E-mail: gunjan75@gmail.com; Rawat, Priyanka; Chauhan, Prashant

    This article presents higher-order paraxial theory (non-paraxial theory) for the ring ripple formation on an intense Gaussian laser beam and its propagation in plasma, taking into account the relativistic-ponderomotive nonlinearity. The intensity dependent dielectric constant of the plasma has been determined for the main laser beam and ring ripple superimposed on the main laser beam. The dielectric constant of the plasma is modified due to the contribution of the electric field vector of ring ripple. Nonlinear differential equations have been formulated to examine the growth of ring ripple in plasma, self focusing of main laser beam, and ring rippled lasermore » beam in plasma using higher-order paraxial theory. These equations have been solved numerically for different laser intensities and plasma frequencies. The well established experimental laser and plasma parameters are used in numerical calculation. It is observed that the focusing of the laser beams (main and ring rippled) becomes fast in the nonparaxial region by expanding the eikonal and other relevant quantities up to the fourth power of r. The splitted profile of laser beam in the plasma is observed due to uneven focusing/defocusing of the axial and off-axial rays. The growths of ring ripple increase when the laser beam intensity increases. Furthermore, the intensity profile of ring rippled laser beam gets modified due to the contribution of growth rate.« less

  2. [Magneto-laser therapy of chronic gastritis in children and adolescents].

    PubMed

    Zviagin, A A; Nikolaenko, E A

    2008-01-01

    The efficiency of transcutaneous magneto-laser treatment as a component of combined therapy of chronic gastritis in children and adolescents (aged 5-17 years) was compared with that of pharmacotherapy and low-intensity laser therapy. The patients were allocated to three groups of 25 persons each. Patients of group 1 were given only drug therapy, those in group 2 were treated with pharmaceuticals and low-intensity laser therapy. The patients comprising group 3 were subjected to the action of magneto-laser radiation. Magneto-laser therapy was shown to result in a significantly more expressed improvement of clinical and morphological characteristics of the patients compared with pharmacotherapy alone. There was no significant difference between effects of magneto-laser and low-intensity laser radiation.

  3. Intensity fluctuations in bimodal micropillar lasers enhanced by quantum-dot gain competition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leymann, H. A. M.; Hopfmann, C.; Albert, F.; Foerster, A.; Khanbekyan, M.; Schneider, C.; Höfling, S.; Forchel, A.; Kamp, M.; Wiersig, J.; Reitzenstein, S.

    2013-05-01

    We investigate correlations between orthogonally polarized cavity modes of a bimodal micropillar laser with a single layer of self-assembled quantum dots in the active region. While one emission mode of the microlaser demonstrates a characteristic S-shaped input-output curve, the output intensity of the second mode saturates and even decreases with increasing injection current above threshold. Measuring the photon autocorrelation function g(2)(τ) of the light emission confirms the onset of lasing in the first mode with g(2)(0) approaching unity above threshold. In contrast, strong photon bunching associated with superthermal values of g(2)(0) is detected for the other mode for currents above threshold. This behavior is attributed to gain competition of the two modes induced by the common gain material, which is confirmed by photon cross-correlation measurements revealing a clear anticorrelation between emission events of the two modes. The experimental studies are in qualitative agreement with theoretical studies based on a microscopic semiconductor theory, which we extend to the case of two modes interacting with the common gain medium. Moreover, we treat the problem by a phenomenological birth-death model extended to two interacting modes, which reveals that the photon probability distribution of each mode has a double-peak structure, indicating switching behavior of the modes for pump rates around threshold.

  4. Light intensity-voltage correlations and leakage-current excess noise in a single-mode semiconductor laser

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Maurin, I.; Bramati, A.; Giacobino, E.

    2005-09-15

    Semiconductor lasers are particularly well suited for the implementation of pump-noise suppression, yielding a reduction of the intensity noise in the laser. In this simple picture, the maximal amount of squeezing is equal to the quantum efficiency. However, experimental results on intensity noise reduction by pump-noise suppression are usually above this limit. This discrepancy suggests that additional noise sources must be involved. Here we successful y interpret the full noise behavior of a single-mode laser diode far above threshold by considering two excess noise sources: the leakage current fluctuations across the laser and the Petermann excess noise. We have estimatedmore » the contribution of each noise source using the results of the correlations between the laser output intensity noise and the voltage fluctuations across the laser diode (light-voltage correlations) and obtained good agreement between our theory and experimental results.« less

  5. Interaction of intense laser pulses with hydrogen atomic clusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, Hong-Chuan; Wang, Hui-Qiao; Liu, Zuo-Ye; Sun, Shao-Hua; Li, Lu; Ma, Ling-Ling; Hu, Bi-Tao

    2010-03-01

    The interaction between intense femtosecond laser pulses and hydrogen atomic clusters is studied by a simplified Coulomb explosion model. The dependences of average proton kinetic energy on cluster size, pulse duration, laser intensity and wavelength are studied respectively. The calculated results indicate that the irradiation of a femtosecond laser of longer wavelength on hydrogen atomic clusters may be a simple, economical way to produce highly kinetic hydrogen ions. The phenomenon suggests that the irradiation of femtosecond laser of longer wavelength on deuterium atomic clusters may be easier than that of shorter wavelength to drive nuclear fusion reactions. The product of the laser intensity and the squared laser wavelength needed to make proton energy saturated as a function of the squared cluster radius is also investigated. The proton energy distribution calculated is also shown and compared with the experimental data. Our results are in agreement with the experimental results fairly well.

  6. A microchip laser source with stable intensity and frequency used for self-mixing interferometry.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shaohui; Zhang, Shulian; Tan, Yidong; Sun, Liqun

    2016-05-01

    We present a stable 40 × 40 × 30 mm(3) Laser-diode (LD)-pumped-microchip laser (ML) laser source used for self-mixing interferometry which can measure non-cooperative targets. We simplify the coupling process of pump light in order to make its polarization and intensity robust against environmental disturbance. Thermal frequency stabilization technology is used to stabilize the laser frequency of both LD and ML. Frequency stability of about 1 × 10(-7) and short-term intensity fluctuation of 0.1% are achieved. The theoretical long-term displacement accuracy limited by frequency and intensity fluctuation is about 10 nm when the measuring range is 0.1 m. The line-width of this laser is about 25 kHz corresponding to 12 km coherent length and 6 km measurement range for self-mixing interference. The laser source has been equipped to a self-mixing interferometer, and it works very well.

  7. Improvements of high-power diode laser line generators open up new application fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meinschien, J.; Bayer, A.; Bruns, P.; Aschke, L.; Lissotschenko, V. N.

    2009-02-01

    Beam shaping improvements of line generators based on high power diode lasers lead to new application fields as hardening, annealing or cutting of various materials. Of special interest is the laser treatment of silicon. An overview of the wide variety of applications is presented with special emphasis of the relevance of unique laser beam parameters like power density and beam uniformity. Complementary to vision application and plastic processing, these new application markets become more and more important and can now be addressed by high power diode laser line generators. Herewith, a family of high power diode laser line generators is presented that covers this wide spectrum of application fields with very different requirements, including new applications as cutting of silicon or glass, as well as the beam shaping concepts behind it. A laser that generates a 5m long and 4mm wide homogeneous laser line is shown with peak intensities of 0.2W/cm2 for inspection of railway catenaries as well as a laser that generates a homogeneous intensity distribution of 60mm x 2mm size with peak intensities of 225W/cm2 for plastic processing. For the annealing of silicon surfaces, a laser was designed that generates an extraordinary uniform intensity distribution with residual inhomogeneities (contrast ratio) of less than 3% over a line length of 11mm and peak intensities of up to 75kW/cm2. Ultimately, a laser line is shown with a peak intensity of 250kW/cm2 used for cutting applications. Results of various application tests performed with the above mentioned lasers are discussed, particularly the surface treatment of silicon and the cutting of glass.

  8. Method to simulate and analyse induced stresses for laser crystal packaging technologies.

    PubMed

    Ribes-Pleguezuelo, Pol; Zhang, Site; Beckert, Erik; Eberhardt, Ramona; Wyrowski, Frank; Tünnermann, Andreas

    2017-03-20

    A method to simulate induced stresses for a laser crystal packaging technique and the consequent study of birefringent effects inside the laser cavities has been developed. The method has been implemented by thermo-mechanical simulations implemented with ANSYS 17.0. ANSYS results were later imported in VirtualLab Fusion software where input/output beams in terms of wavelengths and polarization were analysed. The study has been built in the context of a low-stress soldering technique implemented for glass or crystal optics packaging's called the solderjet bumping technique. The outcome of the analysis showed almost no difference between the input and output laser beams for the laser cavity constructed with an yttrium aluminum garnet active laser crystal, a second harmonic generator beta-barium borate, and the output laser mirror made of fused silica assembled by the low-stress solderjet bumping technique.

  9. High power, high efficiency, continuous-wave supercontinuum generation using standard telecom fibers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arun, S.; Choudhury, Vishal; Balaswamy, V.; Prakash, Roopa; Supradeepa, V. R.

    2018-04-01

    We demonstrate a simple module for octave spanning continuous-wave supercontinuum generation using standard telecom fiber. This module can accept any high power Ytterbium-doped fiber laser as input. The input light is transferred into the anomalous dispersion region of the telecom fiber through a cascade of Raman shifts. A recently proposed Raman laser architecture with distributed feedback efficiently performs these Raman conversions. A spectrum spanning over 1000nm(>1 octave) from 880-1900nm is demonstrated. The average power from the supercontinuum is ~34W with a high conversion efficiency of 44%. Input wavelength agility is demonstrated with similar supercontinua over a wide input wavelength range.

  10. Selective Emitter Pumped Rare Earth Laser

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chubb, Donald L. (Inventor); Patton, Martin O. (Inventor)

    2001-01-01

    A selective emitter pumped rare earth laser provides an additional type of laser for use in many laser applications. Rare earth doped lasers exist which are pumped with flashtubes or laser diodes. The invention uses a rare earth emitter to transform thermal energy input to a spectral band matching the absorption band of a rare earth in the laser in order to produce lasing.

  11. RLE (Research Laboratory of Electronics) Progress Report Number 125.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-01-01

    Optical Communications 32 7.3 Picosecond Optics 35 7.4 Ultrashort Pulse Formation 37 7.5 Femtosecond Laser System 37 7.6 Parametric Scattering with...Figure 3-2: The cross section for 4 photon ionization of atomic hydrogen as calculated by 10 Reinhardt for a single frequency laser . To facilitate...profiles produced by laser intensity I* and at five times that intensity 11 510. As the laser intensity is increased, the ionization profile becomes

  12. Proton-induced Nuclear Reactions Using Compact High-Contrast High-Intensity Laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ogura, Koichi; Shizuma, Toshiyuki; Hayakawa, Takehito; Yogo, Akifumi; Nishiuchi, Mamiko; Orimo, Satoshi; Sagisaka, Akito; Pirozhkov, Alexander; Mori, Michiaki; Kiriyama, Hiromitsu; Kanazawa, Shuhei; Kondo, Shunji; Nakai, Yoshiki; Shimoura, Takuya; Tanoue, Manabu; Akutsu, Atsushi; Motomura, Tomohiro; Okada, Hajime; Kimura, Toyoaki; Oishi, Yuji; Nayuki, Takuya; Fujii, Takashi; Nemoto, Koshichi; Daido, Hiroyuki

    2009-06-01

    A multi-MeV proton beam driven by a compact laser with an intensity of ˜1020 W/cm2 is used to induce the nuclear reaction 11B(p,n)11C. The total activity of 11C produced after 60 shots of laser irradiation is found to be 11.1+/-0.4 Bq. The possibility of thin layer activation (TLA) analysis using a high-intensity ultrashort-pulse laser is discussed.

  13. The generation of amplified spontaneous emission in high-power CPA laser systems.

    PubMed

    Keppler, Sebastian; Sävert, Alexander; Körner, Jörg; Hornung, Marco; Liebetrau, Hartmut; Hein, Joachim; Kaluza, Malte Christoph

    2016-03-01

    An analytical model is presented describing the temporal intensity contrast determined by amplified spontaneous emission in high-intensity laser systems which are based on the principle of chirped pulse amplification. The model describes both the generation and the amplification of the amplified spontaneous emission for each type of laser amplifier. This model is applied to different solid state laser materials which can support the amplification of pulse durations ≤350 fs . The results are compared to intensity and fluence thresholds, e.g. determined by damage thresholds of a certain target material to be used in high-intensity applications. This allows determining if additional means for contrast improvement, e.g. plasma mirrors, are required for a certain type of laser system and application. Using this model, the requirements for an optimized high-contrast front-end design are derived regarding the necessary contrast improvement and the amplified "clean" output energy for a desired focussed peak intensity. Finally, the model is compared to measurements at three different high-intensity laser systems based on Ti:Sapphire and Yb:glass. These measurements show an excellent agreement with the model.

  14. System for obtaining smooth laser beams where intensity variations are reduced by spectral dispersion of the laser light (SSD)

    DOEpatents

    Skupsky, S.; Kessler, T.J.; Short, R.W.; Craxton, S.; Letzring, S.A.; Soures, J.

    1991-09-10

    In an SSD (smoothing by spectral dispersion) system which reduces the time-averaged spatial variations in intensity of the laser light to provide uniform illumination of a laser fusion target, an electro-optic phase modulator through which a laser beam passes produces a broadband output beam by imposing a frequency modulated bandwidth on the laser beam. A grating provides spatial and angular spectral dispersion of the beam. Due to the phase modulation, the frequencies (''colors'') cycle across the beam. The dispersed beam may be amplified and frequency converted (e.g., tripled) in a plurality of beam lines. A distributed phase plate (DPP) in each line is irradiated by the spectrally dispersed beam and the beam is focused on the target where a smooth (uniform intensity) pattern is produced. The color cycling enhances smoothing and the use of a frequency modulated laser pulse prevents the formation of high intensity spikes which could damage the laser medium in the power amplifiers. 8 figures.

  15. System for obtaining smooth laser beams where intensity variations are reduced by spectral dispersion of the laser light (SSD)

    DOEpatents

    Skupsky, Stanley; Kessler, Terrance J.; Short, Robert W.; Craxton, Stephen; Letzring, Samuel A.; Soures, John

    1991-01-01

    In an SSD (smoothing by spectral dispersion) system which reduces the time-averaged spatial variations in intensity of the laser light to provide uniform illumination of a laser fusion target, an electro-optic phase modulator through which a laser beam passes produces a broadband output beam by imposing a frequency modulated bandwidth on the laser beam. A grating provides spatial and angular spectral dispersion of the beam. Due to the phase modulation, the frequencies ("colors") cycle across the beam. The dispersed beam may be amplified and frequency converted (e.g., tripled) in a plurality of beam lines. A distributed phase plate (DPP) in each line is irradiated by the spectrally dispersed beam and the beam is focused on the target where a smooth (uniform intensity) pattern is produced. The color cycling enhances smoothing and the use of a frequency modulated laser pulse prevents the formation of high intensity spikes which could damage the laser medium in the power amplifiers.

  16. Laser- and Particle-Beam Chemical Processes on Surfaces. Volume 129

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-12-26

    explosive decomposition of organometallic compounds with single pulse laser irradiation . This new... ultrashort , meaning ultra high intensity , excimer laser pulses , two-photon absorption becomes important and limits the penetration depth of the laser ...requires a higher photon load before suffering damage to its chemical structure. With extremely high light intensities , ultrashort excimer laser pulses

  17. Low intensity infrared laser induces filamentation in Escherichia coli cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fonseca, A. S.; Presta, G. A.; Geller, M.; Paoli, F.

    2011-10-01

    Low intensity continuous wave and pulsed emission modes laser is used in treating many diseases and the resulting biostimulative effect on tissues has been described, yet the photobiological basis is not well understood. The aim of this wok was to evaluate, using bacterial filamentation assay, effects of laser on Escherichia coli cultures in exponential and stationary growth phase. E. coli cultures, proficient and deficient on DNA repair, in exponential and stationary growth phase, were exposed to low intensity infrared laser, aliquots were spread onto microscopic slides, stained by Gram method, visualized by optical microscopy, photographed and percentage of bacterial filamentation were determined. Low intensity infrared laser with therapeutic fluencies and different emission modes can induce bacterial filamentation in cultures of E. coli wild type, fpg/ mutM, endonuclease III and exonuclease III mutants in exponential and stationary growth phase. This study showed induction of bacterial, filamentation in E. coli cultures expose to low intensity infrared laser and attention to laser therapy protocols, which should take into account fluencies, wavelengths, tissue conditions, and genetic characteristics of cells before beginning treatment.

  18. Apparatus and method for increasing the bandwidth of a laser beam

    DOEpatents

    Wilcox, Russell B.

    1992-01-01

    A method and apparatus using sinusoidal cross-phase modulation, provides a laser pulse having a very broad bandwidth while substantially retaining the input laser's temporal shape. The modulator may be used in a master oscillator system for a laser having a master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) configration. The modulator utilizes a first laser providing an output wavelength .lambda. and a second laser providing an output wavelength shifted by a small amount to .lambda.+.DELTA..lambda.. Each beam has a single, linear polarization. Each beam is coupled into a length of polarization-preserving optical fiber. The first laser beam is coupled into the optical fiber with the beam's polarization aligned with the fiber's main axis, and the second beam is coupled into the fiber with its polarization rotated from the main axis by a predetermined angle. Within the fiber, the main axis' polarization defines an interference beam and the orthogonal axis' polarization defines a signal beam. In the interference beam, the first laser beam and the parallel polarized vector component of the other beam interfere to create areas of high and low intensity, which modulates the signal beam by cross phase modulation. Upon exit from the optical fiber, the beams are coupled out and the modulated signal beam is separated out by a polarization selector. The signal beam can be applied to coherence reducing systems to provide an output that is temporally and spatially incoherent. The U.S. Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W7405-ENG-48 between the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of California for the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

  19. Intravascular low-level laser irradiation in the treatment of psoriasis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Jing; Shi, Hong-Min; Zhang, Hui-Guo; Zhang, Mei-Jue; Xu, Jian; Zhou, Min; Hu, Guo-Qiang

    1998-11-01

    Liu TCY et al have put forward the biological information model on low intensity laser irradiation (BIML): low intensity laser irradiation couples with intracellular messenger through the chromophore absorption in the cell membrane: hot-color laser irradiation activates cAMP phosphodiestererase through Gi protein, or activates phosphoinositide phospholipase C through G protein, or activates one of receptor-associated kinases: cAMP; cold- color laser irradiation activates adenylate cyclase through Gs protein: cAMP$ARUP. In this paper, under the guidance of BIML, we applied the intravascular low intensity He-He laser irradiation on blood to a patient of idiopathic edema, and succeeded.

  20. Beam shaping in high-power laser systems with using refractive beam shapers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Laskin, Alexander; Laskin, Vadim

    2012-06-01

    Beam Shaping of the spatial (transverse) profile of laser beams is highly desirable by building optical systems of high-power lasers as well in various applications with these lasers. Pumping of the crystals of Ti:Sapphire lasers by the laser radiation with uniform (flattop) intensity profile improves performance of these ultrashort pulse high-power lasers in terms of achievable efficiency, peak-power and stability, output beam profile. Specifications of the solid-state lasers built according to MOPA configuration can be also improved when radiation of the master oscillator is homogenized and then is amplified by the power amplifier. Features of building these high power lasers require that a beam shaping solution should be capable to work with single mode and multimode beams, provide flattop and super-Gauss intensity distributions, the consistency and divergence of a beam after the intensity re-distribution should be conserved and low absorption provided. These specific conditions are perfectly fulfilled by the refractive field mapping beam shapers due to their unique features: almost lossless intensity profile transformation, low output divergence, high transmittance and flatness of output beam profile, extended depth of field, adaptability to real intensity profiles of TEM00 and multimode laser sources. Combining of the refractive field mapping beam shapers with other optical components, like beam-expanders, relay imaging lenses, anamorphic optics makes it possible to generate the laser spots of necessary shape, size and intensity distribution. There are plenty of applications of high-power lasers where beam shaping bring benefits: irradiating photocathode of Free Electron Lasers (FEL), material ablation, micromachining, annealing in display making techniques, cladding, heat treating and others. This paper will describe some design basics of refractive beam shapers of the field mapping type, with emphasis on the features important for building and applications of high-power laser sources. There will be presented results of applying the refractive beam shapers in real installations.

  1. Propagation in compressed matter of hot electrons created by short intense lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Batani, D.; Bernardinello, A.; Masella, V.; Pisani, F.; Koenig, M.; Krishnan, J.; Benuzzi, A.; Ellwi, S.; Hall, T.; Norreys, P.; Djaoui, A.; Neely, D.; Rose, S.; Fews, P.; Key, M.

    1998-02-01

    We performed the first experimental study of propagation in compressed matter of hot electrons created by a short pulse intense laser. The experiment has been carried out with the VULCAN laser at Rutherford compressing plastic targets with two ns laser beams at an intensity ⩾1014W/cm2. A CPA beam with an intensity ⩾1016W/cm2 irradiated the rear side of the target and created hot electrons propagating through the compressed matter. K-α emission was used as diagnostics of hot electron penetration by putting a chloride plastic layer inside the target.

  2. All-optical logic gates and wavelength conversion via the injection locking of a Fabry-Perot semiconductor laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harvey, E.; Pochet, M.; Schmidt, J.; Locke, T.; Naderi, N.; Usechak, N. G.

    2013-03-01

    This work investigates the implementation of all-optical logic gates based on optical injection locking (OIL). All-optical inverting, NOR, and NAND gates are experimentally demonstrated using two distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, a multi-mode Fabry-Perot laser diode, and an optical band-pass filter. The DFB lasers are externally modulated to represent logic inputs into the cavity of the multi-mode Fabry-Perot slave laser. The input DFB (master) lasers' wavelengths are aligned with the longitudinal modes of the Fabry-Perot slave laser and their optical power is used to modulate the injection conditions in the Fabry-Perot slave laser. The optical band-pass filter is used to select a Fabry- Perot mode that is either suppressed or transmitted given the logic state of the injecting master laser signals. When the input signal(s) is (are) in the on state, injection locking, and thus the suppression of the non-injected Fabry-Perot modes, is induced, yielding a dynamic system that can be used to implement photonic logic functions. Additionally, all-optical photonic processing is achieved using the cavity-mode shift produced in the injected slave laser under external optical injection. The inverting logic case can also be used as a wavelength converter — a key component in advanced wavelength-division multiplexing networks. As a result of this experimental investigation, a more comprehensive understanding of the locking parameters involved in injecting multiple lasers into a multi-mode cavity and the logic transition time is achieved. The performance of optical logic computations and wavelength conversion has the potential for ultrafast operation, limited primarily by the photon decay rate in the slave laser.

  3. Direct optical measurement of the on-shot incoherent focal spot and intensity contrast on the OMEGA EP laser

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dorrer, C.; Consentino, A.; Irwin, D.

    Characterizing the prepulse temporal contrast of optical pulses is required to understand their interaction with matter. Light with relatively low intensity can interact with the target before the main high-intensity pulse. Estimating the intensity contrast, instead of the spatially averaged power contrast, is important to understand intensity-dependent laser–matter interactions. A direct optical approach to determining the on-shot intensity of the incoherent pedestal on an aberrated high-intensity laser system is presented. The spatially resolved focal spot of the incoherent pedestal preceding the main coherent pulse and the intensity contrast are calculated using experimental data. Furthermore, this technique is experimentally validated onmore » one of the chirped pulse amplification beamlines of the OMEGA EP Laser System. The intensity contrast of a 1-kJ, 10-ps laser pulse is shown to be ~10× higher than the power contrast because of the larger spatial extent of the incoherent focal spot relative to the coherent focal spot.« less

  4. Direct optical measurement of the on-shot incoherent focal spot and intensity contrast on the OMEGA EP laser

    DOE PAGES

    Dorrer, C.; Consentino, A.; Irwin, D.

    2016-05-18

    Characterizing the prepulse temporal contrast of optical pulses is required to understand their interaction with matter. Light with relatively low intensity can interact with the target before the main high-intensity pulse. Estimating the intensity contrast, instead of the spatially averaged power contrast, is important to understand intensity-dependent laser–matter interactions. A direct optical approach to determining the on-shot intensity of the incoherent pedestal on an aberrated high-intensity laser system is presented. The spatially resolved focal spot of the incoherent pedestal preceding the main coherent pulse and the intensity contrast are calculated using experimental data. Furthermore, this technique is experimentally validated onmore » one of the chirped pulse amplification beamlines of the OMEGA EP Laser System. The intensity contrast of a 1-kJ, 10-ps laser pulse is shown to be ~10× higher than the power contrast because of the larger spatial extent of the incoherent focal spot relative to the coherent focal spot.« less

  5. Target Surface Area Effects on Hot Electron Dynamics from High Intensity Laser-Plasma Interactions

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-08-19

    New J. Phys. 18 (2016) 063020 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/18/6/063020 PAPER Target surface area effects on hot electron dynamics from high intensity laser ...Science, University ofMichigan, AnnArbor,MI 48109-2099, USA E-mail: czulick@umich.edu Keywords: laser -plasma,mass-limited, fast electrons, sheath...field Abstract Reduced surface area targets were studied using an ultra-high intensity femtosecond laser in order to determine the effect of electron

  6. Low input and intensified crop production systems effects on soil health and environment

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The material in this chapter covers the concepts of "low-input" and "intensified" production systems in the context of input intensity and sustainability. Research-based case studies are presented that draw out the practicalities of implementing production practices on an input intensity gradient fr...

  7. Laser simulation applying Fox-Li iteration: investigation of reason for non-convergence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paxton, Alan H.; Yang, Chi

    2017-02-01

    Fox-Li iteration is often used to numerically simulate lasers. If a solution is found, the complex field amplitude is a good indication of the laser mode. The case of a semiconductor laser, for which the medium possesses a self-focusing nonlinearity, was investigated. For a case of interest, the iterations did not yield a converged solution. Another approach was needed to explore the properties of the laser mode. The laser was treated (unphysically) as a regenerative amplifier. As the input to the amplifier, we required a smooth complex field distribution that matched the laser resonator. To obtain such a field, we found what would be the solution for the laser field if the strength of the self focusing nonlinearity were α = 0. This was used as the input to the laser, treated as an amplifier. Because the beam deteriorated as it propagated multiple passes in the resonator and through the gain medium (for α = 2.7), we concluded that a mode with good beam quality could not exist in the laser.

  8. Near-infrared induced optical quenching effects on mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Guo, Dingkai, E-mail: dingk1@umbc.edu; Talukder, Muhammad Anisuzzaman; Chen, Xing

    In space communications, atmospheric absorption and Rayleigh scattering are the dominant channel impairments. Transmission using mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths offers the benefits of lower loss and less scintillation effects. In this work, we report the telecom wavelengths (1.55 μm and 1.3 μm) induced optical quenching effects on MIR quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), when QCLs are operated well above their thresholds. The QCL output power can be near 100% quenched using 20 mW of near-infrared (NIR) power, and the quenching effect depends on the input NIR intensity as well as wavelength. Time resolved measurement was conducted to explore the quenching mechanism. The measured recovery timemore » is around 14 ns, which indicates that NIR generated electron-hole pairs may play a key role in the quenching process. The photocarrier created local field and band bending can effectively deteriorate the dipole transition matrix element and quench the QCL. As a result, MIR QCLs can be used as an optical modulator and switch controlled by NIR lasers. They can also be used as “converters” to convert telecom optical signals into MIR optical signals.« less

  9. Photon-photon scattering at the high-intensity frontier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gies, Holger; Karbstein, Felix; Kohlfürst, Christian; Seegert, Nico

    2018-04-01

    The tremendous progress in high-intensity laser technology and the establishment of dedicated high-field laboratories in recent years have paved the way towards a first observation of quantum vacuum nonlinearities at the high-intensity frontier. We advocate a particularly prospective scenario, where three synchronized high-intensity laser pulses are brought into collision, giving rise to signal photons, whose frequency and propagation direction differ from the driving laser pulses, thus providing various means to achieve an excellent signal to background separation. Based on the theoretical concept of vacuum emission, we employ an efficient numerical algorithm which allows us to model the collision of focused high-intensity laser pulses in unprecedented detail. We provide accurate predictions for the numbers of signal photons accessible in experiment. Our study is the first to predict the precise angular spread of the signal photons, and paves the way for a first verification of quantum vacuum nonlinearity in a well-controlled laboratory experiment at one of the many high-intensity laser facilities currently coming online.

  10. Self-focusing and defocusing of Gaussian laser beams in collisional inhomogeneous plasmas with linear density and temperature ramps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashemzadeh, M.

    2018-01-01

    Self-focusing and defocusing of Gaussian laser beams in collisional inhomogeneous plasmas are investigated in the presence of various laser intensities and linear density and temperature ramps. Considering the ponderomotive force and using the momentum transfer and energy equations, the nonlinear electron density is derived. Taking into account the paraxial approximation and nonlinear electron density, a nonlinear differential equation, governing the focusing and defocusing of the laser beam, is obtained. Results show that in the absence of ramps the laser beam is focused between a minimum and a maximum value of laser intensity. For a certain value of laser intensity and initial electron density, the self-focusing process occurs in a temperature range which reaches its maximum at turning point temperature. However, the laser beam is converged in a narrow range for various amounts of initial electron density. It is indicated that the σ2 parameter and its sign can affect the self-focusing process for different values of laser intensity, initial temperature, and initial density. Finally, it is found that although the electron density ramp-down diverges the laser beam, electron density ramp-up improves the self-focusing process.

  11. Laser beam propagation through bulk nonlinear media: Numerical simulation and experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kovsh, Dmitriy I.

    This dissertation describes our efforts in modeling the propagation of high intensity laser pulses through optical systems consisting of one or multiple nonlinear elements. These nonlinear elements can be up to 103 times thicker than the depth of focus of the laser beam, so that the beam size changes drastically within the medium. The set of computer codes developed are organized in a software package (NLO_BPM). The ultrafast nonlinearities of the bound-electronic n2 and two-photon absorption as well as time dependent excited-state, free-carrier and thermal nonlinearities are included in the codes for modeling propagation of picosecond to nanosecond pulses and pulse trains. Various cylindrically symmetric spatial distributions of the input beam are modeled. We use the cylindrical symmetry typical of laser outputs to reduce the CPU and memory requirements making modeling a real- time task on PC's. The hydrodynamic equations describing the rarefaction of the medium due to heating and electrostriction are solved in the transient regime to determine refractive index changes on a nanosecond time scale. This effect can be simplified in some cases by an approximation that assumes an instantaneous expansion. We also find that the index change obtained from the photo-acoustic equation overshoots its steady-state value once the ratio between the pulse width and the acoustic transit time is greater than unity. We numerically study the sensitivity of the closed- aperture Z-scan experiment to nonlinear refraction for various input beam profiles. If the beam has a ring structure with a minimum (or zero) on axis in the far field, the sensitivity of Z-scan measurements can be increased by up to one order of magnitude. The linear propagation module integrated with the nonlinear beam propagation codes allows the simulation of typical experiments such as Z-scan and optical limiting experiments. We have used these codes to model the performance of optical limiters. We study two of the most promising limiter designs: the monolithic self-protective semiconductor limiter (MONOPOL) and a multi-cell tandem limiter based on a liquid solution of reverse saturable absorbing organic dye. The numerical outputs show good agreement with experimental results up to input energies where nonlinear scattering becomes significant.

  12. Controlling the spectral shape of nonlinear Thomson scattering with proper laser chirping

    DOE PAGES

    Rykovanov, S. G.; Geddes, C. G. R.; Schroeder, C. B.; ...

    2016-03-18

    Effects of nonlinearity in Thomson scattering of a high intensity laser pulse from electrons are analyzed. Analytic expressions for laser pulse shaping in frequency (chirping) are obtained which control spectrum broadening for high laser pulse intensities. These analytic solutions allow prediction of the spectral form and required laser parameters to avoid broadening. Results of analytical and numerical calculations agree well. The control over the scattered radiation bandwidth allows narrow bandwidth sources to be produced using high scattering intensities, which in turn greatly improves scattering yield for future x- and gamma-ray sources.

  13. Investigation of detection limits for solutes in water measured by laser raman spectrometry

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Goldberg, M.C.

    1977-01-01

    The influence of experimental parameters on detection sensitivity was determined for laser Raman analysis of dissolved solutes in water. Individual solutions of nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, monohydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, acetate ion, and acetic acid were measured. An equation is derived which expresses the signal-to-noise ratio in terms of solute concentration, measurement time, spectral slit width, laser power fluctuations, and solvent background intensity. Laser beam intensity fluctuations at the sample and solvent background intensity are the most important limiting factors.

  14. High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) versus TENS and NSAIDs in low back pain: clinical study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zati, Allesandro; Fortuna, Damiano; Valent, A.; Filippi, M. V.; Bilotta, Teresa W.

    2004-09-01

    Low back pain, caused by lumbar disc herniation, is prevalently treated with a conservative approach. In this study we valued the efficacy of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT), compared with accepted therapies such as TENS and NSAIDs. Laser therapy obtained similar results in the short term, but better clinical effect over time than TENS and NSAIDs. In conclusion high intensity laser therapy appears to be a interesting new treatment, worthy of further research.

  15. Intense Plasma Waveguide Terahertz Sources for High-Field THz Probe Science with Ultrafast Lasers for Solid State Physics

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-08-25

    AFRL-AFOSR-UK-TR-2016-0029 Intense Plasma-Waveguide Terahertz Sources for High-Field THz probe science with ultrafast lasers for Solid State Physics...Plasma-Waveguide Terahertz Sources for High-Field THz probe science with ultrafast lasers for Solid State Physics, 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT...an existing high energy laser system, has been applied to the study of intense terahertz radiation generated in gaseous plasmas in purpose

  16. Injection locked oscillator system for pulsed metal vapor lasers

    DOEpatents

    Warner, Bruce E.; Ault, Earl R.

    1988-01-01

    An injection locked oscillator system for pulsed metal vapor lasers is disclosed. The invention includes the combination of a seeding oscillator with an injection locked oscillator (ILO) for improving the quality, particularly the intensity, of an output laser beam pulse. The present invention includes means for matching the first seeder laser pulses from the seeding oscillator to second laser pulses of a metal vapor laser to improve the quality, and particularly the intensity, of the output laser beam pulse.

  17. Intense laser beams; Proceedings of the Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 23, 24, 1992

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wade, Richard C. (Editor); Ulrich, Peter B. (Editor)

    1992-01-01

    Various papers on intense laser beams are presented. Individual topics addressed include: novel methods of copper vapor laser excitation, UCLA IR FEL, lasing characteristics of a large-bore copper vapor laser (CVL), copper density measurement of a large-bore CVL, high-power XeCl excimer laser, solid state direct-drive circuit for pumping gas lasers, united energy model for FELs, intensity and frequency instabilities in double-mode CO2 lasers, comparison of output power stabilities of CO and CO2 lasers, increasing efficiency of sealed-off CO lasers, thermal effects in singlet delta oxygen generation, optical extraction from the chemical oxygen-iodine laser medium, generation and laser diagnostic analysis of bismuth fluoride. Also discussed are: high-Q resonator design for an HF overtone chemical lasers, improved coatings for HF overtone lasers, scaled atmospheric blooming experiment, simulation on producing conjugate field using deformable mirrors, paraxial theory of amplitude correction, potential capabilities of adaptive optical systems in the atmosphere, power beaming research at NASA, system evaluations of laser power beaming options, performance projections for laser beam power to space, independent assessment of laser power beaming options, removal of atmospheric CFCs by lasers, efficiency of vaporization cutting by CVL.

  18. Laser beat wave resonant terahertz generation in a magnetized plasma channel

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bhasin, Lalita; Tripathi, V. K.; Kumar, Pawan, E-mail: kumarpawan-30@yahoo.co.in

    Resonant excitation of terahertz (THz) radiation by nonlinear mixing of two lasers in a ripple-free self created plasma channel is investigated. The channel has a transverse static magnetic field and supports a THz X-mode with phase velocity close to the speed of light in vacuum when the frequency of the mode is close to plasma frequency on the channel axis and its value decreases with the intensity of lasers. The THz is resonantly driven by the laser beat wave ponderomotive force. The THz amplitude scales almost three half power of the intensity of lasers as the width of the THzmore » eigen mode shrinks with laser intensity.« less

  19. High power, high efficiency, continuous-wave supercontinuum generation using standard telecom fibers.

    PubMed

    Arun, S; Choudhury, Vishal; Balaswamy, V; Prakash, Roopa; Supradeepa, V R

    2018-04-02

    We demonstrate a simple module for octave spanning continuous-wave supercontinuum generation using standard telecom fiber. This module can accept any high power ytterbium-doped fiber laser as input. The input light is transferred into the anomalous dispersion region of the telecom fiber through a cascade of Raman shifts. A recently proposed Raman laser architecture with distributed feedback efficiently performs these Raman conversions. A spectrum spanning over 1000nm (>1 octave) from 880 to 1900nm is demonstrated. The average power from the supercontinuum is ~34W with a high conversion efficiency of 44%. Input wavelength agility is demonstrated with similar supercontinua over a wide input wavelength range.

  20. In situ diagnosis of pulsed UV laser surface ablation of tungsten carbide hardmetal by using laser-induced optical emission spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Tiejun; Lou, Qihong; Wei, Yunrong; Huang, Feng; Dong, Jingxing; Liu, Jingru

    2001-12-01

    Surface ablation of cobalt cemented tungsten carbide hardmetal with pulsed UV laser has been in situ diagnosed by using the technique of laser-induced optical emission spectroscopy. The dependence of emission intensity of cobalt lines on number of laser shots was investigated at laser fluence of 2.5 J/cm 2. As a comparison, the reliance of emission intensity of cobalt lines as a function of laser pulse number by using pure cobalt as ablation sample was also studied at the same laser condition. It was found that for surface ablation of tungsten carbide hardmetal at laser fluence of 2.5 J/cm 2, the intensities of cobalt lines fell off dramatically in the first 300 consecutive laser shots and then slowed down to a low stable level with even more shots. For surface ablation of pure cobalt at the same laser condition, the intensities of cobalt lines remained constant more or less even after 500 laser shots and then reduced very slowly with even more shots. It was concluded that selective evaporation of cobalt at this laser fluence should be responsible for the dramatic fall-off of cobalt lines with laser shots accumulation for surface ablation of tungsten carbide hardmetal. In contrast, for surface ablation of pure cobalt, the slow reduction of cobalt lines with pulse number accumulation should be due to the formation of laser-induced crater effect.

  1. Near field optical probe for critical dimension measurements

    DOEpatents

    Stallard, B.R.; Kaushik, S.

    1999-05-18

    A resonant planar optical waveguide probe for measuring critical dimensions on an object in the range of 100 nm and below is disclosed. The optical waveguide includes a central resonant cavity flanked by Bragg reflector layers with input and output means at either end. Light is supplied by a narrow bandwidth laser source. Light resonating in the cavity creates an evanescent electrical field. The object with the structures to be measured is translated past the resonant cavity. The refractive index contrasts presented by the structures perturb the field and cause variations in the intensity of the light in the cavity. The topography of the structures is determined from these variations. 8 figs.

  2. High efficiency laser spectrum conditioner

    DOEpatents

    Greiner, Norman R.

    1980-01-01

    A high efficiency laser spectrum conditioner for generating a collinear parallel output beam containing a predetermined set of frequencies from a multifrequency laser. A diffraction grating and spherical mirror are used in combination, to disperse the various frequencies of the input laser beam and direct these frequencies along various parallel lines spatially separated from one another to an apertured mask. Selection of the desired frequencies is accomplished by placement of apertures at locations on the mask where the desired frequencies intersect the mask. A recollimated parallel output beam with the desired set of frequencies is subsequently generated utilizing a mirror and grating matched and geometrically aligned in the same manner as the input grating and mirror.

  3. Photobiomodulation in laser surgery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Timon Cheng-Yi; Rong, Dong-Liang; Huang, Jin; Deng, Xiao-Yuan; Liu, Song-Hao

    2006-01-01

    Laser surgery provides good exposure with clear operating fields and satisfactory preliminary functional results. In contrast to conventional excision, it was found that matrix metalloproteinases and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases -1 mRNA expression is higher, myofibroblasts appeared and disappeared slower in laser excision wounds. It has been suggested that the better anatomical and functional results achieved following laser cordectomy may be explained by the fact that such procedures result in better, more rapid healing processes to recover vocal cord for early glottic tumors and better. In this paper, the role of photobiomodulation in laser surgery will be discussed by the cultured monolayer normal human skin fibroblast model of the photobiomodulation of marginal irradiation of high intensity laser beam, the photobiomodulation related to the irradiated tissue, the biological information model of photobiomodulation and the animal models of laser surgery. Although high intensity laser beam is so intense that it destroys the irradiated cells or tissue, its marginal irradiation intensity is so low that there is photobiomodulation on non-damage cells to modulate the regeneration of partly damaged tissue so that the surgery of laser of different parameters results in different post-surgical recovery. It was concluded that photobiomodulation might play an important role in the long-term effects of laser surgery, which might be used to design laser surgery.

  4. Effects of Radiation Damping in Extreme Ultra-intense Laser-Plasma Interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandit, Rishi R.

    Recent advances in the development of intense short pulse lasers are significant. Now it is available to access a laser with intensity 1021W/cm2 by focusing a petawatt class laser. In a few years, the intensity will exceed 1022W/cm2 , at which intensity electrons accelerated by the laser get energy more than 100 MeV and start to emit radiation strongly. Resultingly, the damping of electron motion can become large. In order to study this problem, we developed a code to solve a set of equations describing the evolution of a strong electromagnetic wave interacting with a single electron. Usually the equation of motion of an electron including radiation damping under the influence of electromagnetic fields is derived from the Lorentz-Dirac equation treating the damping as a perturbation. So far people had used the first order damping equation. This is because the second order term seems to be small and actually it is negligible under 1022W/cm2 intensity. The derivation of 2nd order equation is also complicated and challenging. We derived the second order damping equations for the first time and implemented in the code. The code was then tested via single particle motion in the extreme intensity laser. It was found that the 1st order damping term is reasonable up to the intensity 1022W/cm2, but the 2nd oder term becomes not negligible and comparable in magnitude to the first order term beyond 1023W/cm2. The radiation damping model was introduced using a one-dimensional particle-in-cell code (PIC), and tested in the laser-plasma interaction at extreme intensity. The strong damping of hot electrons in high energy tail was demonstrated in PIC simulations.

  5. Pulse stretcher

    DOEpatents

    Horton, J.A.

    1994-05-03

    Apparatus for increasing the length of a laser pulse to reduce its peak power without substantial loss in the average power of the pulse is disclosed. The apparatus uses a White cell having a plurality of optical delay paths of successively increasing number of passes between the field mirror and the objective mirrors. A pulse from a laser travels through a multi-leg reflective path between a beam splitter and a totally reflective mirror to the laser output. The laser pulse is also simultaneously injected through the beam splitter to the input mirrors of the optical delay paths. The pulses from the output mirrors of the optical delay paths go simultaneously to the laser output and to the input mirrors of the longer optical delay paths. The beam splitter is 50% reflective and 50% transmissive to provide equal attenuation of all of the pulses at the laser output. 6 figures.

  6. Optimisation Of Cutting Parameters Of Composite Material Laser Cutting Process By Taguchi Method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lokesh, S.; Niresh, J.; Neelakrishnan, S.; Rahul, S. P. Deepak

    2018-03-01

    The aim of this work is to develop a laser cutting process model that can predict the relationship between the process input parameters and resultant surface roughness, kerf width characteristics. The research conduct is based on the Design of Experiment (DOE) analysis. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used in this work. It is one of the most practical and most effective techniques to develop a process model. Even though RSM has been used for the optimization of the laser process, this research investigates laser cutting of materials like Composite wood (veneer)to be best circumstances of laser cutting using RSM process. The input parameters evaluated are focal length, power supply and cutting speed, the output responses being kerf width, surface roughness, temperature. To efficiently optimize and customize the kerf width and surface roughness characteristics, a machine laser cutting process model using Taguchi L9 orthogonal methodology was proposed.

  7. Low-intensity red and infrared laser effects at high fluences on Escherichia coli cultures

    PubMed Central

    Barboza, L.L.; Campos, V.M.A.; Magalhães, L.A.G.; Paoli, F.; Fonseca, A.S.

    2015-01-01

    Semiconductor laser devices are readily available and practical radiation sources providing wavelength tenability and high monochromaticity. Low-intensity red and near-infrared lasers are considered safe for use in clinical applications. However, adverse effects can occur via free radical generation, and the biological effects of these lasers from unusually high fluences or high doses have not yet been evaluated. Here, we evaluated the survival, filamentation induction and morphology of Escherichia coli cells deficient in repair of oxidative DNA lesions when exposed to low-intensity red and infrared lasers at unusually high fluences. Cultures of wild-type (AB1157), endonuclease III-deficient (JW1625-1), and endonuclease IV-deficient (JW2146-1) E. coli, in exponential and stationary growth phases, were exposed to red and infrared lasers (0, 250, 500, and 1000 J/cm2) to evaluate their survival rates, filamentation phenotype induction and cell morphologies. The results showed that low-intensity red and infrared lasers at high fluences are lethal, induce a filamentation phenotype, and alter the morphology of the E. coli cells. Low-intensity red and infrared lasers have potential to induce adverse effects on cells, whether used at unusually high fluences, or at high doses. Hence, there is a need to reinforce the importance of accurate dosimetry in therapeutic protocols. PMID:26445339

  8. Laser plasma instability experiments with KrF lasersa)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weaver, J. L.; Oh, J.; Afeyan, B.; Phillips, L.; Seely, J.; Feldman, U.; Brown, C.; Karasik, M.; Serlin, V.; Aglitskiy, Y.; Mostovych, A. N.; Holland, G.; Obenschain, S.; Chan, L.-Y.; Kehne, D.; Lehmberg, R. H.; Schmitt, A. J.; Colombant, D.; Velikovich, A.

    2007-05-01

    Deleterious effects of laser-plasma instability (LPI) may limit the maximum laser irradiation that can be used for inertial confinement fusion. The short wavelength (248nm), large bandwidth, and very uniform illumination available with krypton-fluoride (KrF) lasers should increase the maximum usable intensity by suppressing LPI. The concomitant increase in ablation pressure would allow implosion of low-aspect-ratio pellets to ignition with substantial gain (>20) at much reduced laser energy. The proposed KrF-laser-based Fusion Test Facility (FTF) would exploit this strategy to achieve significant fusion power (150MW) with a rep-rate system that has a per pulse laser energy well below 1 MJ. Measurements of LPI using the Nike KrF laser are presented at and above intensities needed for the FTF (I˜2×1015W/cm2). The results to date indicate that LPI is indeed suppressed. With overlapped beam intensity above the planar, single beam intensity threshold for the two-plasmon decay instability, no evidence of instability was observed via measurements of 3/2ωo and 1/2ωo harmonic emissions.

  9. The scaling of electron and positron generation in intense laser-solid interactions

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, Hui; Link, A.; Sentoku, Y.; ...

    2015-05-27

    This study presents experimental scalings of the electrons and positrons produced by intense laser-target interactions at relativistic laser intensities (10 18–10 20 W cm -2). The data were acquired from three short-pulse laser facilities with laser energies ranging from 80 to 1500 J. We found a non-linear (≈E L 2) scaling of positron yield [Chen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 215001 (2015)] and a linear scaling of electron yield with the laser energy. These scalings are explained by theoretical and numerical analyses. Positron acceleration by the target sheath field is confirmed by the positron energy spectrum, which has amore » pronounced peak at energies near the sheath potential, as determined by the observed maximum energies of accelerated protons. The parameters of laser-produced electron-positron jets are summarized together with the theoretical energy scaling. Finally, the measured energy-squared scaling of relativistic electron-positron jets indicates the possibility to create an astrophysically relevant experimental platform with such jets using multi-kilojoule high intensity lasers currently under construction.« less

  10. The scaling of electron and positron generation in intense laser-solid interactions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Hui; Link, A.; Fiuza, F.

    2015-05-15

    This paper presents experimental scalings of the electrons and positrons produced by intense laser-target interactions at relativistic laser intensities (10{sup 18}–10{sup 20} W cm{sup −2}). The data were acquired from three short-pulse laser facilities with laser energies ranging from 80 to 1500 J. We found a non-linear (≈E{sub L}{sup 2}) scaling of positron yield [Chen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 215001 (2015)] and a linear scaling of electron yield with the laser energy. These scalings are explained by theoretical and numerical analyses. Positron acceleration by the target sheath field is confirmed by the positron energy spectrum, which has a pronouncedmore » peak at energies near the sheath potential, as determined by the observed maximum energies of accelerated protons. The parameters of laser-produced electron-positron jets are summarized together with the theoretical energy scaling. The measured energy-squared scaling of relativistic electron-positron jets indicates the possibility to create an astrophysically relevant experimental platform with such jets using multi-kilojoule high intensity lasers currently under construction.« less

  11. Intense laser pulse propagation in capillary discharge plasma channels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hubbard, R. F.; Moore, C. I.; Sprangle, P.

    Optical guiding of intense laser pulses is required for plasma-based accelerator concepts such as the laser wakefield accelerator. Reported experiments have successfully transported intense laser pulses in the hollow plasma column produced by a capillary discharge. The hollow plasma has an index of refraction which peaks on-axis, thus providing optical guiding which overcomes beam expansion due to diffraction. In more recent experiments at Hebrew University, 800 nm wavelength, 0.1 mJ, 100 fs pulses have been guided in {approx}300 micron radius capillaries over distances as long as 6.6 cm. Simulations of these experiments using a 2-D nonlinear laser propagation model producemore » the expected optical guiding, with the laser pulse radius r{sub L} exhibiting oscillations about the equilibrium value predicted by an analytical envelope equation model. The oscillations are damped at the front of the pulse and grow in amplitude in the back of the pulse. This growth and damping is attributed to finite pulse length effects. Simulations also show that further ionization of the discharge plasma by the laser pulse may hollow the laser pulse and introduce modulations in the spot size. This ionization-defocusing effect is expected to be significant at the high intensities required for accelerator application. Capillary discharge experiments at much higher intensities are in progress on the Naval Research Laboratory T{sup 3} laser, and preliminary results are reported.« less

  12. Infrared laser effects at fluences used for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity on DNA repair in Escherichia coli and plasmids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rocha Teixeira, Gleica; da Silva Marciano, Roberta; da Silva Sergio, Luiz Philippe; Castanheira Polignano, Giovanni Augusto; Roberto Guimarães, Oscar; Geller, Mauro; de Paoli, Flavia; de Souza da Fonseca, Adenilson

    2014-12-01

    Low-intensity infrared lasers are proposed in clinical protocols based on biostimulative effects, yet dosimetry is inaccurate and their effects on DNA at therapeutic doses are controversial. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of low-intensity infrared laser on survival and induction of filamentation of Escherichia coli cells, and induction of DNA lesions in bacterial plasmids. E. coli cultures were exposed to laser (808 nm, 100 mW, 40 and 60 J/cm2) to study bacterial survival and filamentation. Also, bacterial plasmids were exposed to laser to study DNA lesions by electrophoretic profile and action of DNA repair enzymes. Data indicate low-intensity infrared laser has no effect on survival of E. coli wild type and exonuclease III, but decreases the survival of formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase/MutM protein and endonuclease III deficient cells in stationary growth phase, induces bacterial filamentation, does not alter the electrophoretic profile of plasmids in agarose gels and does not alter the electrophoretic profile of plasmids incubated with endonuclease III, formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase/MutM protein and exonuclease III. Our findings show that low-intensity laser exposure causes DNA lesions at sub-lethal level and induces cellular mechanisms involved in repair of oxidative lesions in DNA. Studies about laser dosimetry and safety strategies are necessary for professionals and patients exposed to low-intensity lasers at therapeutic doses.

  13. Phasing surface emitting diode laser outputs into a coherent laser beam

    DOEpatents

    Holzrichter, John F [Berkeley, CA

    2006-10-10

    A system for generating a powerful laser beam includes a first laser element and at least one additional laser element having a rear laser mirror, an output mirror that is 100% reflective at normal incidence and <5% reflective at an input beam angle, and laser material between the rear laser mirror and the output mirror. The system includes an injector, a reference laser beam source, an amplifier and phase conjugater, and a combiner.

  14. Simultaneous intrinsic and extrinsic calibration of a laser deflecting tilting mirror in the projective voltage space.

    PubMed

    Schneider, Adrian; Pezold, Simon; Baek, Kyung-Won; Marinov, Dilyan; Cattin, Philippe C

    2016-09-01

    PURPOSE  : During the past five decades, laser technology emerged and is nowadays part of a great number of scientific and industrial applications. In the medical field, the integration of laser technology is on the rise and has already been widely adopted in contemporary medical applications. However, it is new to use a laser to cut bone and perform general osteotomy surgical tasks with it. In this paper, we describe a method to calibrate a laser deflecting tilting mirror and integrate it into a sophisticated laser osteotome, involving next generation robots and optical tracking. METHODS  : A mathematical model was derived, which describes a controllable deflection mirror by the general projective transformation. This makes the application of well-known camera calibration methods possible. In particular, the direct linear transformation algorithm is applied to calibrate and integrate a laser deflecting tilting mirror into the affine transformation chain of a surgical system. RESULTS  : Experiments were performed on synthetic generated calibration input, and the calibration was tested with real data. The determined target registration errors in a working distance of 150 mm for both simulated input and real data agree at the declared noise level of the applied optical 3D tracking system: The evaluation of the synthetic input showed an error of 0.4 mm, and the error with the real data was 0.3 mm.

  15. Technical advantages of disk laser technology in short and ultrashort pulse processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Graham, P.; Stollhof, J.; Weiler, S.; Massa, S.; Faisst, B.; Denney, P.; Gounaris, E.

    2011-03-01

    This paper demonstrates that disk-laser technology introduces advantages that increase efficiency and allows for high productivity in micro-processing in both the nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) regimes. Some technical advantages of disk technology include not requiring good pump beam quality or special wavelengths for pumping of the disk, high optical efficiencies, no thermal lensing effects and a possible scaling of output power without an increase of pump beam quality. With cavity-dumping, the pulse duration of the disk laser can be specified between 30 and hundreds of nanoseconds, but is independent of frequency, thus maintaining process stability. TRUMPF uses this technology in the 750 watts average power laser TruMicro 7050. High intensity, along with fluency, is important for high ablation rates in thinfilm removal. Thus, these ns lasers show high removal rates, above 60 cm2/s, in thin-film solar cell production. In addition, recent results in paint-stripping of aerospace material prove the green credentials and high processing rates inherent with this technology as it can potentially replace toxic chemical processes. The ps disk technology meanwhile is used in, for example, scribing of solar cells, wafer dicing and drilling injector nozzles, as the pulse duration is short enough to minimize heat input in the laser-matter interaction. In the TruMicro Series 5000, the multi-pass regenerative amplifier stage combines high optical-optical efficiencies together with excellent output beam quality for pulse durations of only 6 ps and high pulse energies of up to 0.25 mJ.

  16. Quasi-monoenergetic ion beam acceleration by laser-driven shock and solitary waves in near-critical plasmas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, W. L.; Qiao, B., E-mail: bqiao@pku.edu.cn; Huang, T. W.

    2016-07-15

    Ion acceleration in near-critical plasmas driven by intense laser pulses is investigated theoretically and numerically. A theoretical model has been given for clarification of the ion acceleration dynamics in relation to different laser and target parameters. Two distinct regimes have been identified, where ions are accelerated by, respectively, the laser-induced shock wave in the weakly driven regime (comparatively low laser intensity) and the nonlinear solitary wave in the strongly driven regime (comparatively high laser intensity). Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations show that quasi-monoenergetic proton beams with a peak energy of 94.6 MeV and an energy spread 15.8% are obtained by intense laser pulsesmore » at intensity I{sub 0} = 3 × 10{sup 20 }W/cm{sup 2} and pulse duration τ = 0.5 ps in the strongly driven regime, which is more advantageous than that got in the weakly driven regime. In addition, 233 MeV proton beams with narrow spread can be produced by extending τ to 1.0 ps in the strongly driven regime.« less

  17. A tesselation-based model for intensity estimation and laser plasma interactions calculations in three dimensions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colaïtis, A.; Chapman, T.; Strozzi, D.; Divol, L.; Michel, P.

    2018-03-01

    A three-dimensional laser propagation model for computation of laser-plasma interactions is presented. It is focused on indirect drive geometries in inertial confinement fusion and formulated for use at large temporal and spatial scales. A modified tesselation-based estimator and a relaxation scheme are used to estimate the intensity distribution in plasma from geometrical optics rays. Comparisons with reference solutions show that this approach is well-suited to reproduce realistic 3D intensity field distributions of beams smoothed by phase plates. It is shown that the method requires a reduced number of rays compared to traditional rigid-scale intensity estimation. Using this field estimator, we have implemented laser refraction, inverse-bremsstrahlung absorption, and steady-state crossed-beam energy transfer with a linear kinetic model in the numerical code Vampire. Probe beam amplification and laser spot shapes are compared with experimental results and pf3d paraxial simulations. These results are promising for the efficient and accurate computation of laser intensity distributions in holhraums, which is of importance for determining the capsule implosion shape and risks of laser-plasma instabilities such as hot electron generation and backscatter in multi-beam configurations.

  18. Influence of low-level laser therapy on vertical jump in sedentary individuals

    PubMed Central

    Kakihata, Camila Mayumi Martin; Malanotte, Jéssica Aline; Higa, Jessica Yumie; Errero, Tatiane Kamada; Balbo, Sandra Lucinei; Bertolini, Gladson Ricardo Flor

    2015-01-01

    Objective To investigate the effects of low intensity laser (660nm), on the surae triceps muscle fatigue and power, during vertical jump in sedentary individuals, in addition to delayed onset muscle soreness. Methods We included 22 sedentary volunteers in the study, who were divided into three groups: G1 (n=8) without performing low intensity laser (control); G2 (n=7) subjected to 6 days of low intensity laser applications; and G3 (n=7) subjected to 10 days of low intensity laser applications. All subjects were evaluated by means of six evaluations of vertical jumps lasting 60 seconds each. In G2 and G3, laser applications in eight points, uniformly distributed directly to the skin in the region of the triceps surae were performed. Another variable analyzed was the delayed onset muscle soreness using the Visual Analog Scale of Pain. Results There was no significant difference in fatigue and mechanical power. In the evaluation of delayed onset muscle soreness, there was significant difference, being the first evaluation higher than the others. Conclusion The low intensity laser on the triceps surae, in sedentary individuals, had no significant effects on the variables evaluated. PMID:25993067

  19. Development of cryogenic Yb:YAG ceramics amplifier for over 100 J DPSSL

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sekine, T.; Takeuchi, Y.; Kurita, T.; Hatano, Y.; Muramatsu, Y.; Mizuta, Y.; Kabeya, Y.; Tamaoki, Y.; Kato, Y.

    2017-02-01

    A high gain cryogenic Yb:YAG ceramics laser amplifier for a high energy laser amplification system has been developed. The laser system consists of a fiber oscillator and two stage LD pumped cryogenic Yb:YAG ceramic amplifiers. The preamplifier stage has a 5-pass laser amplifier head and the main amplifier stage has a 2-pass laser amplifier head, respectively. The preamplifier obtained an average stored energy density of 0.836 J/cc and small-signal gain (SSG) of 60 with 33 J of stored energy. Then about 1 μJ of input energy from the oscillator was amplified to 3.6 J. The main amplifier head had four pumping LD modules which irradiated the Yb:YAG ceramics directly. This original angular pumping scheme ideally increases irradiation intensity and homogenizes irradiation pattern on the Yb:YAG ceramics due to superposition effect of all of the LD modules. A maximum peak power of over 100 kW was generated by one LD module. When the output energy of the LD modules was 450 J, a 20 of SSG at single pass was obtained. Stored energy density was evaluated to 0.429 J/cc when 148 J energy was stored in 346 cc of Yb:YAG ceramics. As a result, a 55-J output energy with 10 ns pulse duration was demonstrated at a pumping energy of 450 J. The optical-tooptical conversion efficiency which includes transmissivity of the LD modules was 12 %. The extraction efficiency was estimated to 37%.

  20. Study of Gravity Effects on Titanium Laser Welding in the Vertical Position

    PubMed Central

    Yuan, Zhang; Pu, Haitao; Li, Haigang; Cheng, Hao; Du, Dong; Shan, Jiguo

    2017-01-01

    To obtain satisfactory welds in positional laser beam welding, it is necessary to know how process parameters will influence the quality of welds in different welding positions. In this study, the titanium alloy Ti6Al4V sheets were laser welded in two vertical welding positions (vertical up and vertical down), and the appearance, porosity, strength, and ductility of the laser joints were evaluated. Results show that undercuts of the vertical up welds were greater than that of vertical down welds, while the porosity contents were much higher in vertical down welds than that in vertical up welds. When welding with a higher heat input, the vertical up welding position resulted in poor weld profiles (undercuts and burn-through holes), whereas the vertical down welding position led to excessive porosity contents in welds. Both severe undercut and excessive porosity were detrimental to the tensile properties of the welds. Weld appearance was improved and porosity contents were reduced by using a lower heat input, achieving better weld quality. Therefore, it is suggested that process parameter settings with relatively high laser powers and welding speeds, which can result in lower heat inputs, are used when laser welding the Ti6Al4V titanium alloys vertically. PMID:28885573

  1. Study of Gravity Effects on Titanium Laser Welding in the Vertical Position.

    PubMed

    Chang, Baohua; Yuan, Zhang; Pu, Haitao; Li, Haigang; Cheng, Hao; Du, Dong; Shan, Jiguo

    2017-09-08

    To obtain satisfactory welds in positional laser beam welding, it is necessary to know how process parameters will influence the quality of welds in different welding positions. In this study, the titanium alloy Ti6Al4V sheets were laser welded in two vertical welding positions (vertical up and vertical down), and the appearance, porosity, strength, and ductility of the laser joints were evaluated. Results show that undercuts of the vertical up welds were greater than that of vertical down welds, while the porosity contents were much higher in vertical down welds than that in vertical up welds. When welding with a higher heat input, the vertical up welding position resulted in poor weld profiles (undercuts and burn-through holes), whereas the vertical down welding position led to excessive porosity contents in welds. Both severe undercut and excessive porosity were detrimental to the tensile properties of the welds. Weld appearance was improved and porosity contents were reduced by using a lower heat input, achieving better weld quality. Therefore, it is suggested that process parameter settings with relatively high laser powers and welding speeds, which can result in lower heat inputs, are used when laser welding the Ti6Al4V titanium alloys vertically.

  2. Transversely diode-pumped alkali metal vapour laser

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Parkhomenko, A I; Shalagin, A M

    2015-09-30

    We have studied theoretically the operation of a transversely diode-pumped alkali metal vapour laser. For the case of high-intensity laser radiation, we have obtained an analytical solution to a complex system of differential equations describing the laser. This solution allows one to exhaustively determine all the energy characteristics of the laser and to find optimal parameters of the working medium and pump radiation (temperature, buffer gas pressure, and intensity and width of the pump spectrum). (lasers)

  3. Study of laser preheating dependence on laser wavelength and intensity for MagLIF

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, M. S.; Harvey-Thompson, A. J.; Glinsky, M.; Nagayama, T.; Weis, M.; Geissel, M.; Peterson, K.; Fooks, J.; Krauland, C.; Giraldez, E.; Davies, J.; Campbell, E. M.; Bahr, R.; Edgell, D.; Stoeckl, C.; Glebov, V.; Emig, J.; Heeter, R.; Strozzi, D.

    2017-10-01

    The magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) scheme requires preheating underdense fuel to 100's eV temperature by a TW-scale long pulse laser via collisional absorption. To better understand how laser preheat scales with laser wavelength and intensity as well as to provide data for code validation, we have conducted a well-characterized experiment on OMEGA to directly compare laser propagation, energy deposition and laser plasma instabilities (LPI) using 2 ω (527 nm) and 3 ω (351 nm) lasers with intensity in the range of (1-5)x1014 Wcm-2. The laser beam (1 - 1.5 ns square pulse) enters the gas-filled plastic liner though a 2-µm thick polyimide window to heat an underdense Ar-doped deuterium gas with electron density of 5.5% of critical density. Laser propagation and plasma temperature are diagnosed by time-resolved 2D x-ray images and Ar emission spectroscopy, respectively. LPI is monitored by backscattering and hard x-ray diagnostics. The 2 ω beam propagation shows a noticeable larger lateral spread than the 3 ω beam, indicating laser spray due to filamentation. LPI is observed to increase with laser intensity and the 2 ω beam produces more hot electrons compared with the 3 ω beam under similar conditions. Results will be compared with radiation hydrodynamic simulations. Work supported by the U.S. DOE ARPA-E and NNSA.

  4. Optimum Laser Beam Characteristics for Achieving Smoother Ablations in Laser Vision Correction.

    PubMed

    Verma, Shwetabh; Hesser, Juergen; Arba-Mosquera, Samuel

    2017-04-01

    Controversial opinions exist regarding optimum laser beam characteristics for achieving smoother ablations in laser-based vision correction. The purpose of the study was to outline a rigorous simulation model for simulating shot-by-shot ablation process. The impact of laser beam characteristics like super Gaussian order, truncation radius, spot geometry, spot overlap, and lattice geometry were tested on ablation smoothness. Given the super Gaussian order, the theoretical beam profile was determined following Lambert-Beer model. The intensity beam profile originating from an excimer laser was measured with a beam profiler camera. For both, the measured and theoretical beam profiles, two spot geometries (round and square spots) were considered, and two types of lattices (reticular and triangular) were simulated with varying spot overlaps and ablated material (cornea or polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA]). The roughness in ablation was determined by the root-mean-square per square root of layer depth. Truncating the beam profile increases the roughness in ablation, Gaussian profiles theoretically result in smoother ablations, round spot geometries produce lower roughness in ablation compared to square geometry, triangular lattices theoretically produce lower roughness in ablation compared to the reticular lattice, theoretically modeled beam profiles show lower roughness in ablation compared to the measured beam profile, and the simulated roughness in ablation on PMMA tends to be lower than on human cornea. For given input parameters, proper optimum parameters for minimizing the roughness have been found. Theoretically, the proposed model can be used for achieving smoothness with laser systems used for ablation processes at relatively low cost. This model may improve the quality of results and could be directly applied for improving postoperative surface quality.

  5. Intense Femtosecond Laser-Mediated Electrical Discharge Enables Preparation of Amorphous Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Ma, Zhuo-Chen; Chen, Qi-Dai; Han, Bing; Li, He-Long; Wang, Lei; Zhang, Yong-Lai; Sun, Hong-Bo

    2018-05-09

    Reported here is a high-efficiency preparation method of amorphous nickel phosphide (Ni-P) nanoparticles by intense femtosecond laser irradiation of nickel sulfate and sodium hypophosphite aqueous solution. The underlying mechanism of the laser-assisted preparation was discussed in terms of the breaking of chemical bond in reactants via highly intense electric field discharge generated by the intense femtosecond laser. The morphology and size of the nanoparticles can be tuned by varying the reaction parameters such as ion concentration, ion molar ratio, laser power, and irradiation time. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated that the nanoparticles were amorphous. Finally, the thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis experiment verified that the as-synthesized noncrystalline Ni-P nanoparticles had an excellent catalytic capability toward thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. This strategy of laser-mediated electrical discharge under such an extremely intense field may create new opportunities for the decomposition of molecules or chemical bonds that could further facilitate the recombination of new atoms or chemical groups, thus bringing about new possibilities for chemical reaction initiation and nanomaterial synthesis that may not be realized under normal conditions.

  6. X-Ray Laser Program Final Report for FY92

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-07-01

    also produced population inversion. Ultra- intense , femtosecond- pulsed laboratory lasers ranging from the ultraviolet to the infrared represent an...with pulse lengths of 650 femtoseconds normally Incident on a 2p. thick planar aluminum slab. Comparisons are made for two laser Intensities , two...prepulse is subsequently irradiated by the main high intensity pulse . The persistence of the heliumlike ground state raises the possibility that a photon

  7. 23RD International Conference on Phenomena in Ionized Gases, Volume 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-12-01

    irradiation of clusters by intense laser pulses [8], but with a variation of the cathode... intensity is much less intense in transformed explosively to a plasma by a focused water than in gases. Then, to avoid too noisy line pulsed laser beam...evolution of particle species. The optical ultrashort , down to 10 fs duration, laser pulse [8]. source is approximated as a quazimonochromatic Part

  8. Influence of laser frequency chirp on deuteron energy from laser-driven deuterated methane cluster expansion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, H. Y.; Liu, J. S.

    2010-06-01

    The simulations of three-dimensional particle dynamics are carried out to investigate the Coulomb explosion dynamics of deuterated methane clusters under the irradiation of an ultrashort intense laser pulse. The final kinetic energy of deuterons produced from the cluster explosion is calculated as a function of the pulse width, the laser intensity and the pulse chirp. It is found that the deuteron energy obtained in an intense laser pulse with negative chirp is higher than that with positive chirp, which agrees qualitatively with the experimental results reported by Fukuda et al. [Y. Fukuda et al., Phys. Rev. A 67, 061201 (2003)].

  9. [Induced thymus aging: radiation model and application perspective for low intensive laser radiation].

    PubMed

    Sevost'ianova, N N; Trofimov, A V; Lin'kova, N S; Poliakova, V O; Kvetnoĭ, I M

    2010-01-01

    The influence of gamma-radiation on morphofunctional state of thymus is rather like as natural thymus aging. However gamma-radiation model of thymus aging widely used to investigate geroprotectors has many shortcomings and limitations. Gamma-radiation can induce irreversible changes in thymus very often. These changes are more intensive in comparison with changes, which can be observed at natural thymus aging. Low intensive laser radiation can not destroy structure of thymus and its effects are rather like as natural thymus aging in comparison with gamma-radiation effects. There are many parameters of low intensive laser radiation, which can be changed to improve morphofunctional thymus characteristics in aging model. Using low intensive laser radiation in thymus aging model can be very perspective for investigations of aging immune system.

  10. Effects of laser acupuncture on blood perfusion rate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xian-ju; Zeng, Chang-chun; Liu, Han-ping; Liu, Song-hao; Liu, Liang-gang

    2006-09-01

    Based on Pennes equation, the influences of the intensity and the impulse frequency of laser acupuncture on the point tissues' blood flow perfusion rate are discussed. We find that the blood perfusion rate of point tissue increases with the intensity of laser acupuncture increasing. After impulse laser acupuncture the point tissue blood perfusion rate increase little, but after continuum laser acupuncture the point tissues blood perfusion rate increase much.

  11. Optimized two- and three-colour laser pulses for the intense terahertz wave generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Lei; Wang, Guo-Li; Zhou, Xiao-Xin

    2016-11-01

    Based on the photocurrent model, we perform a theoretical study on the optimization of terahertz (THz) wave emission from argon gas irradiated by the two- and three-colour laser fields. To obtain stronger THz radiation for the given conditions, a genetic algorithm method is applied to search for the optimum laser parameters. For the two-colour field, our optimizations reveal two types of optimal scheme, and each one dominates the THz generation in different regions of intensity ratio for a given total laser intensity. One scheme is the combination of a fundamental laser pulse and its second harmonic, while the other is the fundamental pulse with its fourth harmonic. For each scheme, the optimal intensity ratio and phase delay are obtained. For the three-colour case, our optimization shows that the excellent waveform for the strongest THz radiation is composed of a fundamental laser pulse, and its second, third harmonics, with appropriate intensity ratio and carrier-envelope phase. Such a 3-colour field can generate strong THz radiation comparable with a 10-colour sawtooth wave [Martínez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 183901 (2015)]. The physical mechanisms for the enhancement of THz wave emission in gases are also discussed in detail. Our results give helpful guidance for intense THz generation with tabletop femtosecond laser device in experiment.

  12. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bucksbaum, P.H.; Ceglio, N.M.

    This volume contains the papers delivered at the conference which chronicle the major advances in short-wavelength laser physics and technology. It is divided into the following sections: Sources of Short-Wavelength Radiation; Applications of Short-Wavelength Radiation; High-Intensity Laser Sources; and High-Intensity Laser-Matter Interactions.

  13. Mass removal modes in the laser ablation of silicon by a Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lim, Daniel J.; Ki, Hyungson; Mazumder, Jyoti

    2006-06-01

    A fundamental study on the Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state laser interaction with silicon was performed both experimentally and numerically. Single pulse drilling experiments were conducted on N-type silicon wafers by varying the laser intensity from 108-109 W cm-2 to investigate how the mass removal mechanism changes depending on the laser intensity. Hole width and depth were measured and surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy. For the numerical model study, Ki et al's self-consistent continuous-wave laser drilling model (2001 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 34 364-72) was modified to treat the solidification phenomenon between successive laser pulses. The model has the capabilities of simulating major interaction physics, such as melt flow, heat transfer, evaporation, homogeneous boiling, multiple reflections and surface evolution. This study presents some interesting results on how the mass removal mode changes as the laser intensity increases.

  14. Flying Focus: Spatiotemporal Control of the Laser Beam Intensity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Froula, D. H.; Turnbull, D.; Kessler, T. J.; Haberberger, D.; Bahk, S.-W.; Begishev, I. A.; Boni, R.; Bucht, S.; Davies, A.; Katz, J.; Sefkow, A. B.; Shaw, J. L.

    2017-10-01

    A ``flying focus'' is presented: this advanced focusing scheme provides unprecedented spatiotemporal control over the laser focal volume. A chromatic focusing system combined with chirped laser pulses enabled the speed of a small-diameter laser focus to propagate over nearly 100 × its Rayleigh length. Furthermore, the flying focus decouples the speed at which the peak intensity propagates from the group velocity of the laser pulse, allowing the laser focus to co- or counter-propagate along its axis at any velocity. Experiments have demonstrated a nearly constant intensity over 4.5 mm while the velocity of the focus ranged from subluminal (0.01 c) to superluminal (15 c) . These properties could provide the opportunity to overcome current fundamental limitations in laser-plasma amplifiers, laser-wakefield accelerators, photon accelerators, ion accelerators, and high-order frequency conversion. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

  15. Development and Characterization of a Laser-Induced Acoustic Desorption Source.

    PubMed

    Huang, Zhipeng; Ossenbrüggen, Tim; Rubinsky, Igor; Schust, Matthias; Horke, Daniel A; Küpper, Jochen

    2018-03-20

    A laser-induced acoustic desorption source, developed for use at central facilities, such as free-electron lasers, is presented. It features prolonged measurement times and a fixed interaction point. A novel sample deposition method using aerosol spraying provides a uniform sample coverage and hence stable signal intensity. Utilizing strong-field ionization as a universal detection scheme, the produced molecular plume is characterized in terms of number density, spatial extend, fragmentation, temporal distribution, translational velocity, and translational temperature. The effect of desorption laser intensity on these plume properties is evaluated. While translational velocity is invariant for different desorption laser intensities, pointing to a nonthermal desorption mechanism, the translational temperature increases significantly and higher fragmentation is observed with increased desorption laser fluence.

  16. Photoinduced oxygen dynamics in lyophilized hemoglobin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nöllmann, M.; Etchegoin, P.

    2000-12-01

    Reversible laser induced deoxygenation in the lyophilized phase of hemoglobin is demonstrated by means of resonant Raman scattering, luminescence, and optical transmission. Specific Raman modes, which are both sensitive to the spin states of Fe(II) in the hemes and resonant in the visible, are monitored as a function of time to evaluate the effect of the illuminating laser. These modes act as in-situ markers of the oxygen content of the protein. The reversible photoinduced deoxygenation can be observed through both the Raman spin-markers and the optical transmission experiments. In the former, reversible changes in the intensities of specific Raman modes are observed, while in the latter, the oscillator strength of the two main absorptions of oxyhemoglobin in the visible are seen to vary accordingly. The luminescence in lyophilized hemoglobin is found to have at least two different contributions, (i) a resonant component with the Raman modes and; (ii) a nonresonant contribution, which increases at high input laser powers and eventually masks the Raman signals. The nonresonant contribution is the luminescence of the photoproduct achieved by thermal denaturation of the protein and remains standing as a permanent nonreversible damage in the illuminated spot. Semiempirical electronic calculations of the wavefunction and total energy of the iron porphyrin reveal the underlying physical origin of the laser induced deoxygenation process in the hemes and are also presented.

  17. Computational laser intensity stabilisation for organic molecule concentration estimation in low-resource settings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haider, Shahid A.; Kazemzadeh, Farnoud; Wong, Alexander

    2017-03-01

    An ideal laser is a useful tool for the analysis of biological systems. In particular, the polarization property of lasers can allow for the concentration of important organic molecules in the human body, such as proteins, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, to be estimated. However, lasers do not always work as intended and there can be effects such as mode hopping and thermal drift that can cause time-varying intensity fluctuations. The causes of these effects can be from the surrounding environment, where either an unstable current source is used or the temperature of the surrounding environment is not temporally stable. This intensity fluctuation can cause bias and error in typical organic molecule concentration estimation techniques. In a low-resource setting where cost must be limited and where environmental factors, like unregulated power supplies and temperature, cannot be controlled, the hardware required to correct for these intensity fluctuations can be prohibitive. We propose a method for computational laser intensity stabilisation that uses Bayesian state estimation to correct for the time-varying intensity fluctuations from electrical and thermal instabilities without the use of additional hardware. This method will allow for consistent intensities across all polarization measurements for accurate estimates of organic molecule concentrations.

  18. Compact, high energy gas laser

    DOEpatents

    Rockwood, Stephen D.; Stapleton, Robert E.; Stratton, Thomas F.

    1976-08-03

    An electrically pumped gas laser amplifier unit having a disc-like configuration in which light propagation is radially outward from the axis rather than along the axis. The input optical energy is distributed over a much smaller area than the output optical energy, i.e., the amplified beam, while still preserving the simplicity of parallel electrodes for pumping the laser medium. The system may thus be driven by a comparatively low optical energy input, while at the same time, owing to the large output area, large energies may be extracted while maintaining the energy per unit area below the threshold of gas breakdown.

  19. CO2 laser-driven Stirling engine. [space power applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lee, G.; Perry, R. L.; Carney, B.

    1978-01-01

    A 100-W Beale free-piston Stirling engine was powered remotely by a CO2 laser for long periods of time. The engine ran on both continuous-wave and pulse laser input. The working fluid was helium doped with small quantities of sulfur hexafluoride, SF6. The CO2 radiation was absorbed by the vibrational modes of the sulfur hexafluoride, which in turn transferred the energy to the helium to drive the engine. Electrical energy was obtained from a linear alternator attached to the piston of the engine. Engine pressures, volumes, and temperatures were measured to determine engine performance. It was found that the pulse radiation mode was more efficient than the continuous-wave mode. An analysis of the engine heat consumption indicated that heat losses around the cylinder and the window used to transmit the beam into the engine accounted for nearly half the energy input. The overall efficiency, that is, electrical output to laser input, was approximately 0.75%. However, this experiment was not designed for high efficiency but only to demonstrate the concept of a laser-driven engine. Based on this experiment, the engine could be modified to achieve efficiencies of perhaps 25-30%.

  20. Energetics of the multi-phase fluid flow in a narrow kerf in laser cutting conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Golyshev, A. A.; Orishich, A. M.; Shulyatyev, V. B.

    2016-10-01

    The energy balance of the multi-phase medium flow is studied experimentally under the laser cutting. Experimental data are generalized due to the condition of minimal roughness of the created surface used as a quality criterion of the melt flow, and also due to the application of dimensionless parameters: Peclet number and dimensionless absorbed laser power. For the first time ever it is found that, regardless the assistant gas (oxygen or nitrogen), laser type (the fiber one with the wavelength of 1.07 µm or CO2-laser with the wavelength of 10.6 µm), the minimal roughness is provided at a certain energy input in a melt unit, about 26 J/mm3. With oxygen, 50% of this input is provided by the radiation, the other 50% - by the exothermic reaction of iron oxidation.

  1. Channel optimization of high-intensity laser beams in millimeter-scale plasmas.

    PubMed

    Ceurvorst, L; Savin, A; Ratan, N; Kasim, M F; Sadler, J; Norreys, P A; Habara, H; Tanaka, K A; Zhang, S; Wei, M S; Ivancic, S; Froula, D H; Theobald, W

    2018-04-01

    Channeling experiments were performed at the OMEGA EP facility using relativistic intensity (>10^{18}W/cm^{2}) kilojoule laser pulses through large density scale length (∼390-570 μm) laser-produced plasmas, demonstrating the effects of the pulse's focal location and intensity as well as the plasma's temperature on the resulting channel formation. The results show deeper channeling when focused into hot plasmas and at lower densities, as expected. However, contrary to previous large-scale particle-in-cell studies, the results also indicate deeper penetration by short (10 ps), intense pulses compared to their longer-duration equivalents. This new observation has many implications for future laser-plasma research in the relativistic regime.

  2. Focusing and transport of high-intensity multi-MeV proton bunches from a compact laser-driven source

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Busold, S.; Schumacher, D.; Deppert, O.; Brabetz, C.; Frydrych, S.; Kroll, F.; Joost, M.; Al-Omari, H.; Blažević, A.; Zielbauer, B.; Hofmann, I.; Bagnoud, V.; Cowan, T. E.; Roth, M.

    2013-10-01

    Laser ion acceleration provides for compact, high-intensity ion sources in the multi-MeV range. Using a pulsed high-field solenoid, for the first time high-intensity laser-accelerated proton bunches could be selected from the continuous exponential spectrum and delivered to large distances, containing more than 109 particles in a narrow energy interval around a central energy of 9.4 MeV and showing ≤30mrad envelope divergence. The bunches of only a few nanoseconds bunch duration were characterized 2.2 m behind the laser-plasma source with respect to arrival time, energy width, and intensity as well as spatial and temporal bunch profile.

  3. Long-Range Coulomb Effect in Intense Laser-Driven Photoelectron Dynamics.

    PubMed

    Quan, Wei; Hao, XiaoLei; Chen, YongJu; Yu, ShaoGang; Xu, SongPo; Wang, YanLan; Sun, RenPing; Lai, XuanYang; Wu, ChengYin; Gong, QiHuang; He, XianTu; Liu, XiaoJun; Chen, Jing

    2016-06-03

    In strong field atomic physics community, long-range Coulomb interaction has for a long time been overlooked and its significant role in intense laser-driven photoelectron dynamics eluded experimental observations. Here we report an experimental investigation of the effect of long-range Coulomb potential on the dynamics of near-zero-momentum photoelectrons produced in photo-ionization process of noble gas atoms in intense midinfrared laser pulses. By exploring the dependence of photoelectron distributions near zero momentum on laser intensity and wavelength, we unambiguously demonstrate that the long-range tail of the Coulomb potential (i.e., up to several hundreds atomic units) plays an important role in determining the photoelectron dynamics after the pulse ends.

  4. Long-Range Coulomb Effect in Intense Laser-Driven Photoelectron Dynamics

    PubMed Central

    Quan, Wei; Hao, XiaoLei; Chen, YongJu; Yu, ShaoGang; Xu, SongPo; Wang, YanLan; Sun, RenPing; Lai, XuanYang; Wu, ChengYin; Gong, QiHuang; He, XianTu; Liu, XiaoJun; Chen, Jing

    2016-01-01

    In strong field atomic physics community, long-range Coulomb interaction has for a long time been overlooked and its significant role in intense laser-driven photoelectron dynamics eluded experimental observations. Here we report an experimental investigation of the effect of long-range Coulomb potential on the dynamics of near-zero-momentum photoelectrons produced in photo-ionization process of noble gas atoms in intense midinfrared laser pulses. By exploring the dependence of photoelectron distributions near zero momentum on laser intensity and wavelength, we unambiguously demonstrate that the long-range tail of the Coulomb potential (i.e., up to several hundreds atomic units) plays an important role in determining the photoelectron dynamics after the pulse ends. PMID:27256904

  5. Channel optimization of high-intensity laser beams in millimeter-scale plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ceurvorst, L.; Savin, A.; Ratan, N.; Kasim, M. F.; Sadler, J.; Norreys, P. A.; Habara, H.; Tanaka, K. A.; Zhang, S.; Wei, M. S.; Ivancic, S.; Froula, D. H.; Theobald, W.

    2018-04-01

    Channeling experiments were performed at the OMEGA EP facility using relativistic intensity (>1018W/cm 2 ) kilojoule laser pulses through large density scale length (˜390 -570 μ m ) laser-produced plasmas, demonstrating the effects of the pulse's focal location and intensity as well as the plasma's temperature on the resulting channel formation. The results show deeper channeling when focused into hot plasmas and at lower densities, as expected. However, contrary to previous large-scale particle-in-cell studies, the results also indicate deeper penetration by short (10 ps), intense pulses compared to their longer-duration equivalents. This new observation has many implications for future laser-plasma research in the relativistic regime.

  6. Influence of laser irradiation on deposition characteristics of cold sprayed Stellite-6 coatings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Bo; Jin, Yan; Yao, Jianhua; Li, Zhihong; Zhang, Qunli; Zhang, Xin

    2018-03-01

    Depositing hard materials such as Stellite-6 solely by cold spray (CS) is challengeable due to limited ability of plastic deformation. In this study, the deposition of Stellite-6 powder was achieved by supersonic laser deposition (SLD) which combines CS with synchronous laser irradiation. The surface morphology, deposition efficiency, track shape of Stellite-6 coatings produced over a range of laser irradiation temperatures were examined so as to reveal the effects of varying laser energy inputting on the deposition process of high strength material. The microstructure, phase composition and wear/corrosion resistant properties of the as-deposited Stellite-6 coatings were also investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the surface flatness and deposition efficiency increase with laser irradiation temperature due to the softening effect induced by laser heating. The as-deposited Stellite-6 tracks show asymmetric shapes which are influenced by the relative configuration of powder stream and laser beam. The SLD coatings can preserve the original microstructure and phase of the feedstock material due to relatively low laser energy inputting, which result in the superior wear/corrosion resistant properties as compared to the counterpart prepared by laser cladding.

  7. Electron Raman scattering in a double quantum well tuned by an external nonresonant intense laser field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tiutiunnyk, A.; Mora-Ramos, M. E.; Morales, A. L.; Duque, C. M.; Restrepo, R. L.; Ungan, F.; Martínez-Orozco, J. C.; Kasapoglu, E.; Duque, C. A.

    2017-02-01

    In this work we shall present a study of inelastic light scattering involving inter-subband electron transitions in coupled GaAs-(Ga,Al)As quantum wells. Calculations include the electron related Raman differential cross section and Raman gain. The effects of an external nonresonant intense laser field are used in order to tune these output properties. The confined electron states will be described by means of a diagonalization procedure within the effective mass and parabolic band approximations. It is shown that the application of the intense laser field can produce values of the intersubband electron Raman gain above 400 cm-1. The system proposed here is an alternative choice for the development of AlxGa1-xAs semiconductor laser diodes that can be tuned via an external nonresonant intense laser field.

  8. Vlasov Simulation of Ion Acceleration in the Field of an Intense Laser Incident on an Overdense Plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shoucri, Magdi; Charbonneau-Lefort, Mathieu; Afeyan, Bedros

    2008-11-01

    We study the interaction of a high intensity laser with an overdense plasma. When the intensity of the laser is sufficiently high to make the electrons relativistic, unusual interactions between the EM wave and the surface of the plasma take place. We use an Eulerian Vlasov code for the numerical solution of the one-dimensional two-species relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell equations [1]. The results show that the incident laser steepens the density profile significantly. There is a large build-up of electron density at the plasma edge, and as a consequence a large charge separation that is induced under the action of the intense laser field. This results in an intense quasistatic longitudinal electric field generated at the surface of the plasma which accelerates ions in the forward direction. We will show the details of the formation of the longitudinal edge electric field and of electron and ion phase-space structures. [1] M. Charbonneau-Lefort, M. Shoucri, B. Afeyan , Proc. of the EPS Conference, Greece (2008).

  9. Phonon transport in a curved aluminum thin film due to laser short pulse irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mansoor, Saad Bin; Yilbas, Bekir Sami

    2018-05-01

    Laser short-pulse heating of a curved aluminum thin film is investigated. The Boltzmann transport equation is incorporated to formulate the heating situation. A Gaussian laser intensity distribution is considered along the film arc and time exponentially decaying of pulse intensity is incorporated in the analysis. The governing equations of energy transport in the electron and lattice sub-systems are coupled through the electron-phonon coupling parameter. To quantify the phonon intensity distribution in the thin film, equivalent equilibrium temperature is introduced, which is associated with the average energy of all phonons around a local point when the phonon energies are redistributed adiabatically to an equilibrium state. It is found the numerical simulations that electron temperature follows similar trend to the spatial distribution of the laser pulse intensity at the film edge. Temporal variation of electron temperature does not follow the laser pulse intensity distribution. The rise of temperature in the electron sub-system is fast while it remains slow in the lattice sub-system.

  10. Optimal irradiance for sintering of inkjet-printed Ag electrodes with a 532nm CW laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moon, Yoon Jae; Kang, Heuiseok; Kang, Kyungtae; Hwang, Jun Young; Moon, Seung Jae

    2013-09-01

    Industrial solar cell fabrication generally adopts printing process to deposit the front electrodes, which needs additional heat treatment after printing to enhance electrical conductivity. As a heating method, laser irradiation draws attention not only because of its special selectivity, but also because of its intense heating to achieve high electric conductivity which is essential to reduce ohmic loss of solar cells. In this study, variation of electric conductivity was examined with laser irradiation having various beam intensity. 532 nm continuous wave (CW) laser was irradiated on inkjet-printed silver lines on glass substrate and electrical resistance was measured in situ during the irradiation. The results demonstrate that electric conductivity varies nonlinearly with laser intensity, having minimum specific resistance of 4.1 x 10-8 Ωm at 529 W/cm2 irradiation. The results is interesting because the specific resistance achieved by the present laser irradiation was about 1.8 times lower than the best value obtainable by oven heating, even though it was still higher by 2.5 times than that of bulk silver. It is also demonstrated that the irradiation time, needed to finish sintering process, decreases with laser intensity. The numerical simulation of laser heating showed that the optimal heating temperature could be as high as 300 oC for laser sintering, while it was limited to 250 oC for oven sintering. The nonlinear response of sintering with heating intensity was discussed, based on the results of FESEM images and XRD analysis.

  11. Intense laser pulse propagation in capillary discharge plasma channels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hubbard, R.F.; Moore, C.I.; Sprangle, P.

    Optical guiding of intense laser pulses is required for plasma-based accelerator concepts such as the laser wakefield accelerator. Reported experiments have successfully transported intense laser pulses in the hollow plasma column produced by a capillary discharge. The hollow plasma has an index of refraction which peaks on-axis, thus providing optical guiding which overcomes beam expansion due to diffraction. In more recent experiments at Hebrew University, 800 nm wavelength, 0.1 mJ, 100 fs pulses have been guided in {approximately}300 micron radius capillaries over distances as long as 6.6 cm. Simulations of these experiments using a 2-D nonlinear laser propagation model producemore » the expected optical guiding, with the laser pulse radius r{sub L} exhibiting oscillations about the equilibrium value predicted by an analytical envelope equation model. The oscillations are damped at the front of the pulse and grow in amplitude in the back of the pulse. This growth and damping is attributed to finite pulse length effects. Simulations also show that further ionization of the discharge plasma by the laser pulse may hollow the laser pulse and introduce modulations in the spot size. This ionization-defocusing effect is expected to be significant at the high intensities required for accelerator application. Capillary discharge experiments at much higher intensities are in progress on the Naval Research Laboratory T{sup 3} laser, and preliminary results are reported. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}« less

  12. Observing quantum control of up-conversion luminescence in Dy3+ ion doped glass from weak to intermediate shaped femtosecond laser fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Pei; Cheng, Wenjing; Yao, Yunhua; Xu, Cheng; Zheng, Ye; Deng, Lianzhong; Jia, Tianqing; Qiu, Jianrong; Sun, Zhenrong; Zhang, Shian

    2017-11-01

    Controlling the up-conversion luminescence of rare-earth ions in real-time, in a dynamical and reversible manner, is very important for their application in laser sources, fiber-optic communications, light-emitting diodes, color displays and biological systems. In previous studies, the up-conversion luminescence control mainly focused on the weak femtosecond laser field. Here, we further extend this control behavior from weak to intermediate femtosecond laser fields. In this work, we experimentally and theoretically demonstrate that the up-conversion luminescence in Dy3+ ion doped glass can be artificially controlled by a π phase step modulation, but the up-conversion luminescence control behavior will be affected by the femtosecond laser intensity, and the up-conversion luminescence is suppressed by lower laser intensity while enhanced by higher laser intensity. We establish a new theoretical model (i.e. the fourth-order perturbation theory) to explain the physical control mechanism by considering the two- and four-photon absorption processes, and the theoretical results show that the relative weight of four-photon absorption in the whole excitation process will increase with the increase in laser intensity, and the interference between two- and four-photon absorptions results in up-conversion luminescence control modulation under different laser intensities. These theoretical and experimental works can provide a new method to control and understand up-conversion luminescence in rare-earth ions, and also may open a new opportunity to the related application areas of rare-earth ions.

  13. Novel high-energy physics studies using intense lasers and plasmas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Leemans, Wim P.; Bulanov, Stepan; Esarey, Eric

    2015-06-29

    In the framework of the project “Novel high-energy physics studies using intense lasers and plasmas” we conducted the study of ion acceleration and “flying mirrors” with high intensity lasers in order to develop sources of ion beams and high frequency radiation for different applications. Since some schemes of laser ion acceleration are also considered a good source of “flying mirrors”, we proposed to investigate the mechanisms of “mirror” formation. As a result we were able to study the laser ion acceleration from thin foils and near critical density targets. We identified several fundamental factors limiting the acceleration in the RPAmore » regime and proposed the target design to compensate these limitations. In the case of near critical density targets, we developed a concept for the laser driven ion source for the hadron therapy. Also we studied the mechanism of “flying mirror” generation during the intense laser interaction with thin solid density targets. As for the laser-based positron creation and capture we initially proposed to study different regimes of positron beam generation and positron beam cooling. Since the for some of these schemes a good quality electron beam is required, we studied the generation of ultra-low emittance electron beams. In order to understand the fundamental physics of high energy electron beam interaction with high intensity laser pulses, which may affect the efficient generation of positron beams, we studied the radiation reaction effects.« less

  14. Nucleotide excision repair pathway assessment in DNA exposed to low-intensity red and infrared lasers.

    PubMed

    Fonseca, A S; Campos, V M A; Magalhães, L A G; Paoli, F

    2015-10-01

    Low-intensity lasers are used for prevention and management of oral mucositis induced by anticancer therapy, but the effectiveness of treatment depends on the genetic characteristics of affected cells. This study evaluated the survival and induction of filamentation of Escherichia coli cells deficient in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, and the action of T4endonuclease V on plasmid DNA exposed to low-intensity red and near-infrared laser light. Cultures of wild-type (strain AB1157) E. coli and strain AB1886 (deficient in uvrA protein) were exposed to red (660 nm) and infrared (808 nm) lasers at various fluences, powers and emission modes to study bacterial survival and filamentation. Also, plasmid DNA was exposed to laser light to study DNA lesions produced in vitro by T4endonuclease V. Low-intensity lasers:i) had no effect on survival of wild-type E. coli but decreased the survival of uvrA protein-deficient cells,ii) induced bacterial filamentation, iii) did not alter the electrophoretic profile of plasmids in agarose gels, andiv) did not alter the electrophoretic profile of plasmids incubated with T4 endonuclease V. These results increase our understanding of the effects of laser light on cells with various genetic characteristics, such as xeroderma pigmentosum cells deficient in nucleotide excision pathway activity in patients with mucositis treated by low-intensity lasers.

  15. Nucleotide excision repair pathway assessment in DNA exposed to low-intensity red and infrared lasers

    PubMed Central

    Fonseca, A.S.; Campos, V.M.A.; Magalhães, L.A.G.; Paoli, F.

    2015-01-01

    Low-intensity lasers are used for prevention and management of oral mucositis induced by anticancer therapy, but the effectiveness of treatment depends on the genetic characteristics of affected cells. This study evaluated the survival and induction of filamentation of Escherichia coli cells deficient in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, and the action of T4endonuclease V on plasmid DNA exposed to low-intensity red and near-infrared laser light. Cultures of wild-type (strain AB1157) E. coli and strain AB1886 (deficient in uvrA protein) were exposed to red (660 nm) and infrared (808 nm) lasers at various fluences, powers and emission modes to study bacterial survival and filamentation. Also, plasmid DNA was exposed to laser light to study DNA lesions produced in vitro by T4endonuclease V. Low-intensity lasers:i) had no effect on survival of wild-type E. coli but decreased the survival of uvrA protein-deficient cells,ii) induced bacterial filamentation, iii) did not alter the electrophoretic profile of plasmids in agarose gels, andiv) did not alter the electrophoretic profile of plasmids incubated with T4 endonuclease V. These results increase our understanding of the effects of laser light on cells with various genetic characteristics, such as xeroderma pigmentosum cells deficient in nucleotide excision pathway activity in patients with mucositis treated by low-intensity lasers. PMID:26445337

  16. 1997 Technical Digest Series. Volume 7: Applications of High Field and Short Wavelength Sources VII

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-03-01

    clusters irradiated with ultrashort , high intensity laser pulses can exhibit "ionization ig- nition" which leads...8, 9]. 25-atom Ne clusters and 25-atom Ar clusters are modelled as irradiated by a 800 nm, 15 fs (fwhm) laser pulse with peak intensities ranging...Measurements of the spatial and spectral properties of ultrashort , intense laser pulses propagating in underdense plasmas demonstrate

  17. High-Power, High-Intensity Laser Propagation and Interactions

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-03-10

    wave Brillouin mixing [89,90]. transmitted beam is phase conjugated target initial wave front nn  1 turbulent air Figure 14. Using phase and...discussed in connection with both high-power and high-intensity lasers is propagation in a turbulent atmosphere . Laser propagation in atmospheric ... turbulence can results in beam centroid wander, spreading and intensity scintillation. A phase conjugation technique to mitigate the effects of atmospheric

  18. Favorable target positions for intense laser acceleration of electrons in hydrogen-like, highly-charged ions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pi, Liang-Wen; Starace, Anthony F.; Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-4030

    2015-09-15

    Classical relativistic Monte Carlo simulations of petawatt laser acceleration of electrons bound initially in hydrogen-like, highly-charged ions show that both the angles and energies of the laser-accelerated electrons depend on the initial ion positions with respect to the laser focus. Electrons bound in ions located after the laser focus generally acquire higher (≈GeV) energies and are ejected at smaller angles with respect to the laser beam. Our simulations assume a tightly-focused linearly-polarized laser pulse with intensity approaching 10{sup 22 }W/cm{sup 2}. Up to fifth order corrections to the paraxial approximation of the laser field in the focal region are taken intomore » account. In addition to the laser intensity, the Rayleigh length in the focal region is shown to play a significant role in maximizing the final energy of the accelerated electrons. Results are presented for both Ne{sup 9+} and Ar{sup 17+} target ions.« less

  19. Contrast and Intensity upgrades to the Texas Petawatt laser for hadron generation and non-linear QED experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hegelich, Bjorn M.; Arefiev, Alexey; Ditmire, Todd; Donovan, Michael E.; Dyer, Gillis; Gaul, Erhard; Labun, Lance; Luedtke, Scott; Martinez, Mikael; McCarry, Edward; Stark, David; Pomerantz, Ishay; Tiwari, Ganesh; Toncian, Toma

    2015-11-01

    Advances in laser-based hadron generation, especially with respect to particle energy, as well as reaching the new regime of radiation dominated plasmas and non-linear QED, require laser fields of Petavolts per meter that preferably interact with very high density, overcritical plasmas. To achieve these conditions we are upgrading the Texas Petawatt Laser both respect to on-target laser intensity and laser-contrast, aiming to reach intensities of ~ 5x1022 W/cm2 and pulse contrast parameters allowing the interaction with overcritical, yet ultrathin, sub-micron targets. We will report on the planned experiments aimed at ion acceleration, neutron generation and the first experimental measurement of radiation reactions to motivate the chosen upgrade parameters. We will further report on the technical changes to the laser and present first measurements of the achieved intensity and contrast parameters. This work was supported by NNSA cooperative agreement DE-NA0002008, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's PULSE program (12-63-PULSE-FP014), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-14-1-0045) and the National Institute of Health SBIR.

  20. Rapid heating of matter using high power lasers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bang, Woosuk

    2016-04-08

    This slide presentation describes motivation (uniform and rapid heating of a target, opportunity to study warm dense matter, study of nuclear fusion reactions), rapid heating of matter with intense laser-driven ion beams, visualization of the expanding warm dense gold and diamond, and nuclear fusion experiments using high power lasers (direct heating of deuterium spheres (radius ~ 10nm) with an intense laser pulse.

  1. NRL Review, 2002

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-05-01

    technology for polarization-maintaining fiber amplification and an ultrashort pulsed fiber laser to Calmar Optcom. Calmar Optcom will be manufacturing...June 1995. This facility is made up of 56 laser beams and is single pulsed (4 nanosecond pulse ). This facil- ity provides intense radiation for studying...plasma interactions, in- tense laser -electron beam interactions, and intense laser -matter interactions. The division is building a repetitively pulsed (5

  2. Enhanced laser-energy coupling to dense plasmas driven by recirculating electron currents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gray, R. J.; Wilson, R.; King, M.; Williamson, S. D. R.; Dance, R. J.; Armstrong, C.; Brabetz, C.; Wagner, F.; Zielbauer, B.; Bagnoud, V.; Neely, D.; McKenna, P.

    2018-03-01

    The absorption of laser energy and dynamics of energetic electrons in dense plasma is fundamental to a range of intense laser-driven particle and radiation generation mechanisms. We measure the total reflected and scattered laser energy as a function of intensity, distinguishing between the influence of pulse energy and focal spot size on total energy absorption, in the interaction with thin foils. We confirm a previously published scaling of absorption with intensity by variation of laser pulse energy, but find a slower scaling when changing the focal spot size. 2D particle-in-cell simulations show that the measured differences arise due to energetic electrons recirculating within the target and undergoing multiple interactions with the laser pulse, which enhances absorption in the case of large focal spots. This effect is also shown to be dependent on the laser pulse duration, the target thickness and the electron beam divergence. The parameter space over which this absorption enhancement occurs is explored via an analytical model. The results impact our understanding of the fundamental physics of laser energy absorption in solids and thus the development of particle and radiation sources driven by intense laser–solid interactions.

  3. Plasma dynamics near critical density inferred from direct measurements of laser hole boring

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gong, Chao; Tochitsky, Sergei Ya.; Fiuza, Frederico; Pigeon, Jeremy J.; Joshi, Chan

    2016-06-01

    We have used multiframe picosecond optical interferometry to make direct measurements of the hole boring velocity, vHB, of the density cavity pushed forward by a train of C O2 laser pulses in a near critical density helium plasma. As the pulse train intensity rises, the increasing radiation pressure of each pulse pushes the density cavity forward and the plasma electrons are strongly heated. After the peak laser intensity, the plasma pressure exerted by the heated electrons strongly impedes the hole boring process and the vHB falls rapidly as the laser pulse intensity falls at the back of the laser pulse train. A heuristic theory is presented that allows the estimation of the plasma electron temperature from the measurements of the hole boring velocity. The measured values of vHB, and the estimated values of the heated electron temperature as a function of laser intensity are in reasonable agreement with those obtained from two-dimensional numerical simulations.

  4. Plasma dynamics near critical density inferred from direct measurements of laser hole boring

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gong, Chao; Tochitsky, Sergei Ya.; Fiuza, Frederico

    Here, we use multiframe picosecond optical interferometry to make direct measurements of the hole boring velocity, vHB, of the density cavity pushed forward by a train of CO 2 laser pulses in a near critical density helium plasma. As the pulse train intensity rises, the increasing radiation pressure of each pulse pushes the density cavity forward and the plasma electrons are strongly heated. After the peak laser intensity, the plasma pressure exerted by the heated electrons strongly impedes the hole boring process and the vHB falls rapidly as the laser pulse intensity falls at the back of the laser pulsemore » train. We present a heuristic theory that allows the estimation of the plasma electron temperature from the measurements of the hole boring velocity. Furthermore, the measured values of v HB, and the estimated values of the heated electron temperature as a function of laser intensity are in reasonable agreement with those obtained from two-dimensional numerical simulations.« less

  5. Localization of intense electromagnetic waves in plasmas.

    PubMed

    Shukla, Padma Kant; Eliasson, Bengt

    2008-05-28

    We present theoretical and numerical studies of the interaction between relativistically intense laser light and a two-temperature plasma consisting of one relativistically hot and one cold component of electrons. Such plasmas are frequently encountered in intense laser-plasma experiments where collisionless heating via Raman instabilities leads to a high-energetic tail in the electron distribution function. The electromagnetic waves (EMWs) are governed by the Maxwell equations, and the plasma is governed by the relativistic Vlasov and hydrodynamic equations. Owing to the interaction between the laser light and the plasma, we can have trapping of electrons in the intense wakefield of the laser pulse and the formation of relativistic electron holes (REHs) in which laser light is trapped. Such electron holes are characterized by a non-Maxwellian distribution of electrons where we have trapped and free electron populations. We present a model for the interaction between laser light and REHs, and computer simulations that show the stability and dynamics of the coupled electron hole and EMW envelopes.

  6. Plasma dynamics near critical density inferred from direct measurements of laser hole boring.

    PubMed

    Gong, Chao; Tochitsky, Sergei Ya; Fiuza, Frederico; Pigeon, Jeremy J; Joshi, Chan

    2016-06-01

    We have used multiframe picosecond optical interferometry to make direct measurements of the hole boring velocity, v_{HB}, of the density cavity pushed forward by a train of CO_{2} laser pulses in a near critical density helium plasma. As the pulse train intensity rises, the increasing radiation pressure of each pulse pushes the density cavity forward and the plasma electrons are strongly heated. After the peak laser intensity, the plasma pressure exerted by the heated electrons strongly impedes the hole boring process and the v_{HB} falls rapidly as the laser pulse intensity falls at the back of the laser pulse train. A heuristic theory is presented that allows the estimation of the plasma electron temperature from the measurements of the hole boring velocity. The measured values of v_{HB}, and the estimated values of the heated electron temperature as a function of laser intensity are in reasonable agreement with those obtained from two-dimensional numerical simulations.

  7. Plasma dynamics near critical density inferred from direct measurements of laser hole boring

    DOE PAGES

    Gong, Chao; Tochitsky, Sergei Ya.; Fiuza, Frederico; ...

    2017-06-24

    Here, we use multiframe picosecond optical interferometry to make direct measurements of the hole boring velocity, vHB, of the density cavity pushed forward by a train of CO 2 laser pulses in a near critical density helium plasma. As the pulse train intensity rises, the increasing radiation pressure of each pulse pushes the density cavity forward and the plasma electrons are strongly heated. After the peak laser intensity, the plasma pressure exerted by the heated electrons strongly impedes the hole boring process and the vHB falls rapidly as the laser pulse intensity falls at the back of the laser pulsemore » train. We present a heuristic theory that allows the estimation of the plasma electron temperature from the measurements of the hole boring velocity. Furthermore, the measured values of v HB, and the estimated values of the heated electron temperature as a function of laser intensity are in reasonable agreement with those obtained from two-dimensional numerical simulations.« less

  8. Application of laser-induced autofluorescence spectra detection in human colorectal cancer screening

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fu, Sheng; Chia, Teck-Chee; Kwek, Leong Chuan; Diong, Cheong Hoong; Tang, Choong Leong; Choen, Francis S.; Krishnan, S. M.

    2003-10-01

    We investigated 48 normal patients and 25 diseased patients using our laser-induced autofluorescence spectra detection system during their regular colonoscopy. The colon and rectum mucosa autofluorescence were excited by 405 nm continue wavelength laser. We observed that cancer or diseased colorectal mucosa, their autofluorescence spectra are significantly different from normal area. The autofluorescence spectra intensity at about 500 nm was been used for our intensity ratio characteristics intensity for our diagnostic algorithm. The intensity ratios of RI-680/I-500 and RI-630/I-500 were performed to identify the detection area. From experimental result we concluded that both intensity ratios of RI-680/I-500 and RI-630/I-500 as guidelines can detect cancerous and polyps disease completely. Our investigation provided some useful insight for laser induced autofluorescence spectra as a diagnosis technique for clinical application.

  9. Investigation Of Plasma Critical Surface Rippling By Harmonics Generation In Laser Plasmas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Racz, E.; Foeldes, I. B.; Szatmari, S.

    2006-01-15

    Experiments were carried out by a tightly focused, prepulse-free hybrid KrF excimer-dye laser system (700fs pulse duration, 248nm wavelength, 15mJ pulse energy). Intense 2{omega}, 3{omega} and near threshold 4{omega} were generated in laser plasmas on solid surfaces for p- and s-polarized 1.5{center_dot}1017 W/cm2 radiation intensity. Directionality and polarization properties were investigated depending on the laser intensity and polarization. The observations showed diffuse propagation of harmonics for intensities above 1016 W/cm2 and the polarization of harmonics was mixed for the highest intensities. The explanation of these results is surface rippling of the plasma critical surface because of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, whichmore » is an intrinsic consequence of the unstable balance between light pressure and plasma expansion.« less

  10. Strong terahertz radiation from relativistic laser interaction with solid density plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Y. T.; Li, C.; Zhou, M. L.; Wang, W. M.; Du, F.; Ding, W. J.; Lin, X. X.; Liu, F.; Sheng, Z. M.; Peng, X. Y.; Chen, L. M.; Ma, J. L.; Lu, X.; Wang, Z. H.; Wei, Z. Y.; Zhang, J.

    2012-06-01

    We report a plasma-based strong THz source generated in intense laser-solid interactions at relativistic intensities >1018 W/cm2. Energies up to 50 μJ/sr per THz pulse is observed when the laser pulses are incident onto a copper foil at 67.5°. The temporal properties of the THz radiation are measured by a single shot, electro-optic sampling method with a chirped laser pulse. The THz radiation is attributed to the self-organized transient fast electron currents formed along the target surface. Such a source allows potential applications in THz nonlinear physics and provides a diagnostic of transient currents generated in intense laser-solid interactions.

  11. Influence of surface light scattering in hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses on laser beam transmittance.

    PubMed

    Shiraya, Tomoyasu; Kato, Satoshi; Minami, Keiichiro; Miyata, Kazunori

    2017-02-01

    The aim of this study was to experimentally examine the changes in the transmittances of photocoagulation lasers when surface light scattering increases in AcrySof intraocular lenses (IOLs). SA60AT IOLs (Alcon) were acceleratingly aging for 0, 3, 5, and 10 years to simulate surface light scattering, and the surface light-scattering intensities of both IOL surfaces were measured using a Scheimpflug photographer. The powers of laser beams that passed from a laser photocoagulator through the aged IOLs were measured at 532, 577, and 647 nm. Changes in the laser power and transmittance with the years of aging and the intensities of surface light scattering were examined. Although the intensity of surface light scattering increased with the years of aging, the laser power did not change with the years of aging (P > 0.30, Kruskal-Wallis test). There were no significant changes in the laser transmittance with the years of aging or the laser wavelength (P > 0.30 and 0.57, respectively). The intensity of surface light scattering revealed no significant association with the laser transmittance at any wavelength (P > 0.37, liner regression). The increases in the surface light scattering of the AcrySof IOLs would not influence retinal photocoagulation treatments for up to 10 years after implantation.

  12. Laser focus compensating sensing and imaging device

    DOEpatents

    Vann, Charles S.

    1993-01-01

    A laser focus compensating sensing and imaging device permits the focus of a single focal point of different frequency laser beams emanating from the same source point. In particular it allows the focusing of laser beam originating from the same laser device but having differing intensities so that a low intensity beam will not convert to a higher frequency when passing through a conversion crystal associated with the laser generating device. The laser focus compensating sensing and imaging device uses a cassegrain system to fold the lower frequency, low intensity beam back upon itself so that it will focus at the same focal point as a high intensity beam. An angular tilt compensating lens is mounted about the secondary mirror of the cassegrain system to assist in alignment. In addition cameras or CCD's are mounted with the primary mirror to sense the focused image. A convex lens is positioned co-axial with the cassegrain system on the side of the primary mirror distal of the secondary for use in aligning a target with the laser beam. A first alternate embodiment includes a cassegrain system using a series of shutters and an internally mounted dichroic mirror. A second alternate embodiment uses two laser focus compensating sensing and imaging devices for aligning a moving tool with a work piece.

  13. Laser focus compensating sensing and imaging device

    DOEpatents

    Vann, C.S.

    1993-08-31

    A laser focus compensating sensing and imaging device permits the focus of a single focal point of different frequency laser beams emanating from the same source point. In particular it allows the focusing of laser beam originating from the same laser device but having differing intensities so that a low intensity beam will not convert to a higher frequency when passing through a conversion crystal associated with the laser generating device. The laser focus compensating sensing and imaging device uses a Cassegrain system to fold the lower frequency, low intensity beam back upon itself so that it will focus at the same focal point as a high intensity beam. An angular tilt compensating lens is mounted about the secondary mirror of the Cassegrain system to assist in alignment. In addition cameras or CCD's are mounted with the primary mirror to sense the focused image. A convex lens is positioned co-axial with the Cassegrain system on the side of the primary mirror distal of the secondary for use in aligning a target with the laser beam. A first alternate embodiment includes a Cassegrain system using a series of shutters and an internally mounted dichroic mirror. A second alternate embodiment uses two laser focus compensating sensing and imaging devices for aligning a moving tool with a work piece.

  14. A Laser Spark Plug Ignition System for a Stationary Lean-Burn Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    McIntyre, D. L.

    To meet the ignition system needs of large bore, high pressure, lean burn, natural gas engines a side pumped, passively Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser was developed and tested. The laser was designed to produce the optical intensities needed to initiate ignition in a lean burn, high compression engine. The laser and associated optics were designed with a passive Q-switch to eliminate the need for high voltage signaling and associated equipment. The laser was diode pumped to eliminate the need for high voltage flash lamps which have poor pumping efficiency. The independent and dependent parameters of the laser were identified and exploredmore » in specific combinations that produced consistent robust sparks in laboratory air. Prior research has shown that increasing gas pressure lowers the breakdown threshold for laser initiated ignition. The laser has an overall geometry of 57x57x152 mm with an output beam diameter of approximately 3 mm. The experimentation used a wide range of optical and electrical input parameters that when combined produced ignition in laboratory air. The results show a strong dependence of the output parameters on the output coupler reflectivity, Q-switch initial transmission, and gain media dopant concentration. As these three parameters were lowered the output performance of the laser increased leading to larger more brilliant sparks. The results show peak power levels of up to 3MW and peak focal intensities of up to 560 GW/cm 2. Engine testing was performed on a Ricardo Proteus single cylinder research engine. The goal of the engine testing was to show that the test laser performs identically to the commercially available flashlamp pumped actively Q-switched laser used in previous laser ignition testing. The engine testing consisted of a comparison of the in-cylinder, and emissions behavior of the engine using each of the lasers as an ignition system. All engine parameters were kept as constant as possilbe while the equivalence ratio (fueling), and hence the engine load, was varied between 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0. The test laser was constructed with a 30% output coupler, 32% Q-switch initial transmission, and a 0.5% Nd concentration rod all pumped by approximately 1000 Watts of optical power. The test laser single mode output pulse had an energy of approximately 23 mJ, with a pulsewidth of approximately 10 ns, and an M2 value of 6.55. This output produced focal intensity of approximately 270 GW/cm 2 with the modified on-engine optical arrangement. The commercial laser had similar output parameters and both laser systems operated the engine with similar results. Due to the shortening of the focal length of the on-engine optical setup both laser systems produced a spark well within the optical transfer cavity of the laser optics to spark plug adaptor. This shrouded spark led to a very long ignition delay and retarded combustion timing for all three values of equivalence ratio. This was evidenced by the in-cylinder pressure traces and the HRR waveforms. The emissions data indicate that both lasers produced very similar combustion. The ignition delay caused by the shrouded spark cause most of the combustion to happen after TDC which lead to poor combustion that produced high levels of CO and THC. The novelty of this work lies in the combination of the laser parameters to create a single high peak power laser output pulse for use as a spark ignition source. Similar configurations have been investigated in the literature but for different applications such as multiple output pulse trains for various industrial and communications applications. Another point of novelty is the investigation of the laser medium concentration on the output characteristics of a passively Q-switched laser system. This work has shown that lowering the Neodymium concentration in the active media within a passively Q-switched laser produces higher output energy values. This is significant because an actively Q-switched laser shows the opposite affect when the active ion concentration is varied.« less

  15. Generation of H2, O2, and H2O2 from water by the use of intense femtosecond laser pulses and the possibility of laser sterilization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chin, S. L.; Lagacé, S.

    1996-02-01

    An intense femtosecond Ti-sapphire laser pulse was focused into water, leading to self-focusing. Apart from generating a white light (supercontinuum), the intense laser field in the self-focusing regions of the laser pulse dissociated the water molecules, giving rise to hydrogen and oxygen gas as well as hydrogen peroxide. Our analysis shows that the formation of free radicals O, H, and OH preceded the formation of the stable products of H2, O2, and H2O2. Because O radicals and H2O2 are strong oxydizing agents, one can take advantage of this phenomenon to design a laser scheme for sterilization in medical and biological applications.

  16. Plasma optical modulators for intense lasers

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Lu-Le; Zhao, Yao; Qian, Lie-Jia; Chen, Min; Weng, Su-Ming; Sheng, Zheng-Ming; Jaroszynski, D. A.; Mori, W. B.; Zhang, Jie

    2016-01-01

    Optical modulators can have high modulation speed and broad bandwidth, while being compact. However, these optical modulators usually work for low-intensity light beams. Here we present an ultrafast, plasma-based optical modulator, which can directly modulate high-power lasers with intensity up to 1016 W cm−2 to produce an extremely broad spectrum with a fractional bandwidth over 100%, extending to the mid-infrared regime in the low-frequency side. This concept relies on two co-propagating laser pulses in a sub-millimetre-scale underdense plasma, where a drive laser pulse first excites an electron plasma wave in its wake while a following carrier laser pulse is modulated by the plasma wave. The laser and plasma parameters suitable for the modulator to work are based on numerical simulations. PMID:27283369

  17. Sun-pumped lasers: revisiting an old problem with nonimaging optics.

    PubMed

    Cooke, D

    1992-12-20

    The techniques of nonimaging optics have permitted the production of a world-record intensity of sunlight, 72 W/mm(2), by using a sapphire concentrator. Such an intensity exceeds the intensity of light at the surface of the Sun itself (63 W/mm(2)) by 15% and may have useful applications in pumping lasers, which require high intensities of light to function. The author describes the production of high-intensity sunlight and reports its application in generating over 3 W of laser power from a 72.5-cm-diameter telescope mirror at an efficiency exceeding that typically attained in approaches not involving nonimaging optics.

  18. 2012 MULTIPHOTON PROCESSES GRC, JUNE 3-8, 2012

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Walker, Barry

    2012-03-08

    The sessions will focus on:  Attosecond science;  Strong-field processes in molecules and solids;  Generation of harmonics and attosecond pulses;  Free-electron laser experiments and theory;  Ultrafast imaging;  Applications of very high intensity lasers;  Propagation of intense laser fields.

  19. Correlated electronic decay in expanding clusters triggered by intense XUV pulses from a Free-Electron-Laser

    PubMed Central

    Oelze, Tim; Schütte, Bernd; Müller, Maria; Müller, Jan P.; Wieland, Marek; Frühling, Ulrike; Drescher, Markus; Al-Shemmary, Alaa; Golz, Torsten; Stojanovic, Nikola; Krikunova, Maria

    2017-01-01

    Irradiation of nanoscale clusters and large molecules with intense laser pulses transforms them into highly-excited non- equilibrium states. The dynamics of intense laser-cluster interaction is encoded in electron kinetic energy spectra, which contain signatures of direct photoelectron emission as well as emission of thermalized nanoplasma electrons. In this work we report on a so far not observed spectrally narrow bound state signature in the electron kinetic energy spectra from mixed Xe core - Ar shell clusters ionized by intense extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) pulses from a free-electron-laser. This signature is attributed to the correlated electronic decay (CED) process, in which an excited atom relaxes and the excess energy is used to ionize the same or another excited atom or a nanoplasma electron. By applying the terahertz field streaking principle we demonstrate that CED-electrons are emitted at least a few picoseconds after the ionizing XUV pulse has ended. Following the recent finding of CED in clusters ionized by intense near-infrared laser pulses, our observation of CED in the XUV range suggests that this process is of general relevance for the relaxation dynamics in laser produced nanoplasmas. PMID:28098175

  20. Intensity dependence narrowing of electromagnetically induced absorption in a Doppler-broadened medium

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dimitrijevic, J.; Arsenovic, D.; Jelenkovic, B. M.

    In this paper, we present a theoretical model for studying the interaction between linearly polarized laser light and near-degenerated Zeeman sublevels for a multiple V-type atomic system of {sup 2}S{sub 1/2}F{sub g}=2{yields}{sup 2}P{sub 3/2}F{sub e}=3 transition in {sup 87}Rb. We have calculated the laser absorption in a Hanle configuration, as well as the amplitudes and the widths of electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in the range of laser intensities from 0.01 to 40 mW/cm{sup 2}. Our results, showing nonvanishing EIA amplitude, a nonmonotonic increase of the EIA width for the increase of laser intensity, and pronounced shape differences of the Hanlemore » EIA curves at different laser intensities, are in good agreement with recent experimental results. We have found that the EIA behaves differently than the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) as a function of the laser intensity. Both the amplitude and width of the EIA have narrow maximums at 1 to 2 mW/cm{sup 2}. We have shown the strong influence of Doppler broadening of atomic transition on Hanle resonances and have suggested the explanation of it.« less

  1. High-flux low-divergence positron beam generation from ultra-intense laser irradiated a tapered hollow target

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Liu, Jian-Xun; College of Electronic Engineering, Wuhan 430019; Ma, Yan-Yun, E-mail: yanyunma@126.com

    By using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate high-flux dense positrons generation by irradiating an ultra-intense laser pulse onto a tapered hollow target. By using a laser with an intensity of 4 × 10{sup 23 }W/cm{sup 2}, it is shown that the Breit-Wheeler process dominates the positron production during the laser-target interaction and a positron beam with a total number >10{sup 15} is obtained, which is increased by five orders of magnitude than in the previous work at the same laser intensity. Due to the focusing effect of the transverse electric fields formed in the hollow cone wall, the divergence angle of the positronmore » beam effectively decreases to ∼15° with an effective temperature of ∼674 MeV. When the laser intensity is doubled, both the positron flux (>10{sup 16}) and temperature (963 MeV) increase, while the divergence angle gets smaller (∼13°). The obtained high-flux low-divergence positron beam may have diverse applications in science, medicine, and engineering.« less

  2. Single laser based pump-probe technique to study plasma shielding during nanosecond laser ablation of copper thin films

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nammi, Srinagalakshmi; Vasa, Nilesh J.; Gurusamy, Balaganesan; Mathur, Anil C.

    2017-09-01

    A plasma shielding phenomenon and its influence on micromachining is studied experimentally and theoretically for laser wavelengths of 355 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm. A time resolved pump-probe technique is proposed and demonstrated by splitting a single nanosecond Nd3+:YAG laser into an ablation laser (pump laser) and a probe laser to understand the influence of plasma shielding on laser ablation of copper (Cu) clad on polyimide thin films. The proposed nanosecond pump-probe technique allows simultaneous measurement of the absorption characteristics of plasma produced during Cu film ablation by the pump laser. Experimental measurements of the probe intensity distinctly show that the absorption by the ablated plume increases with increase in the pump intensity, as a result of plasma shielding. Theoretical estimation of the intensity of the transmitted pump beam based on the thermo-temporal modeling is in qualitative agreement with the pump-probe based experimental measurements. The theoretical estimate of the depth attained for a single pulse with high pump intensity value on a Cu thin film is limited by the plasma shielding of the incident laser beam, similar to that observed experimentally. Further, the depth of micro-channels produced shows a similar trend for all three wavelengths, however, the channel depth achieved is lesser at the wavelength of 1064 nm.

  3. High-efficiency cavity-dumped micro-chip Yb:YAG laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nishio, M.; Maruko, A.; Inoue, M.; Takama, M.; Matsubara, S.; Okunishi, H.; Kato, K.; Kyomoto, K.; Yoshida, T.; Shimabayashi, K.; Morioka, M.; Inayoshi, S.; Yamagata, S.; Kawato, S.

    2014-09-01

    High-efficiency cavity-dumped ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) laser was developed. Although the high quantum efficiency of ytterbium-doped laser materials is appropriate for high-efficiency laser oscillation, the efficiency is decreased by their quasi-three/four laser natures. High gain operation by high intensity pumping is suitable for high efficiency oscillation on the quasi-three/four lasers without extremely low temperature cooling. In our group, highest efficiency oscillations for continuous wave, nanosecond to picosecond pulse lasers were achieved at room temperature by the high gain operation in which pump intensities were beyond 100 kW/cm2.

  4. Radio-Frequency Down-Conversion via Sampled Analog Optical Links

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-08-09

    temporal intensity Popt(ω) includes intensity noise quantities arising from the optical source (e.g. laser intensity noise, amplified spontaneous emission...nm distributed feedback laser RF Down-Conversion via Sampled Links 5 (DFB, EM4, Inc.) the output of which is modulated via a low-biased Mach-Zehnder...Figure 5 (a). For comparison purposes the RF gain of one arm of the balanced link (utilizing a continuous- wave laser source) is measured and

  5. Exact extraction method for road rutting laser lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hong, Zhiming

    2018-02-01

    This paper analyzes the importance of asphalt pavement rutting detection in pavement maintenance and pavement administration in today's society, the shortcomings of the existing rutting detection methods are presented and a new rutting line-laser extraction method based on peak intensity characteristic and peak continuity is proposed. The intensity of peak characteristic is enhanced by a designed transverse mean filter, and an intensity map of peak characteristic based on peak intensity calculation for the whole road image is obtained to determine the seed point of the rutting laser line. Regarding the seed point as the starting point, the light-points of a rutting line-laser are extracted based on the features of peak continuity, which providing exact basic data for subsequent calculation of pavement rutting depths.

  6. Channel optimization of high-intensity laser beams in millimeter-scale plasmas

    DOE PAGES

    Ceurvorst, L.; Savin, A.; Ratan, N.; ...

    2018-04-20

    Channeling experiments were performed at the OMEGA EP facility using relativistic intensity (> 10 18 W/cm 2) kilojoule laser pulses through large density scale length (~ 390-570 μm) laser-produced plasmas, demonstrating the effects of the pulse’s focal location and intensity as well as the plasma’s temperature on the resulting channel formation. The results show deeper channeling when focused into hot plasmas and at lower densities as expected. However, contrary to previous large scale particle-in-cell studies, the results also indicate deeper penetration by short (10 ps), intense pulses compared to their longer duration equivalents. To conclude, this new observation has manymore » implications for future laser-plasma research in the relativistic regime.« less

  7. Channel optimization of high-intensity laser beams in millimeter-scale plasmas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ceurvorst, L.; Savin, A.; Ratan, N.

    Channeling experiments were performed at the OMEGA EP facility using relativistic intensity (> 10 18 W/cm 2) kilojoule laser pulses through large density scale length (~ 390-570 μm) laser-produced plasmas, demonstrating the effects of the pulse’s focal location and intensity as well as the plasma’s temperature on the resulting channel formation. The results show deeper channeling when focused into hot plasmas and at lower densities as expected. However, contrary to previous large scale particle-in-cell studies, the results also indicate deeper penetration by short (10 ps), intense pulses compared to their longer duration equivalents. To conclude, this new observation has manymore » implications for future laser-plasma research in the relativistic regime.« less

  8. Spatiotemporal control of laser intensity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Froula, Dustin H.; Turnbull, David; Davies, Andrew S.; Kessler, Terrance J.; Haberberger, Dan; Palastro, John P.; Bahk, Seung-Whan; Begishev, Ildar A.; Boni, Robert; Bucht, Sara; Katz, Joseph; Shaw, Jessica L.

    2018-05-01

    The controlled coupling of a laser to plasma has the potential to address grand scientific challenges1-6, but many applications have limited flexibility and poor control over the laser focal volume. Here, we present an advanced focusing scheme called a `flying focus', where a chromatic focusing system combined with chirped laser pulses enables a small-diameter laser focus to propagate nearly 100 times its Rayleigh length. Furthermore, the speed at which the focus moves (and hence the peak intensity) is decoupled from the group velocity of the laser. It can co- or counter-propagate along the laser axis at any velocity. Experiments validating the concept measured subluminal (-0.09c) to superluminal (39c) focal-spot velocities, generating a nearly constant peak intensity over 4.5 mm. Among possible applications, the flying focus could be applied to a photon accelerator7 to mitigate dephasing, facilitating the production of tunable XUV sources.

  9. Ultraviolet laser beam monitor using radiation responsive crystals

    DOEpatents

    McCann, Michael P.; Chen, Chung H.

    1988-01-01

    An apparatus and method for monitoring an ultraviolet laser beam includes disposing in the path of an ultraviolet laser beam a substantially transparent crystal that will produce a color pattern in response to ultraviolet radiation. The crystal is exposed to the ultraviolet laser beam and a color pattern is produced within the crystal corresponding to the laser beam intensity distribution therein. The crystal is then exposed to visible light, and the color pattern is observed by means of the visible light to determine the characteristics of the laser beam that passed through crystal. In this manner, a perpendicular cross sectional intensity profile and a longitudinal intensity profile of the ultraviolet laser beam may be determined. The observation of the color pattern may be made with forward or back scattered light and may be made with the naked eye or with optical systems such as microscopes and television cameras.

  10. QED effects induced harmonics generation in extreme intense laser foil interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, J. Y.; Yuan, T.; Liu, W. Y.; Chen, M.; Luo, W.; Weng, S. M.; Sheng, Z. M.

    2018-04-01

    A new mechanism of harmonics generation (HG) induced by quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects in extreme intense laser foil interaction is found and investigated by particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. When two laser pulses with identical intensities of 1.6× {10}24 {{W}} {{{cm}}}-2 are counter-incident on a thin foil target, harmonics emission is observed in their reflected electromagnetic waves. Such harmonics radiation is excited due to transversely oscillating electric currents coming from the vibration of QED effect generated {e}-{e}+ pairs. The effects of laser intensity and polarization were studied. By distinguishing the cascade depth of generated photons and pairs, the influence of QED cascades on HG was analyzed. Although the current HG is not an efficient way for radiation source applications, it may provide a unique way to detect the QED processes in the near future ultra-relativistic laser solid interactions.

  11. Correlated multielectron dynamics in mid-infrared laser pulse interactions with neon atoms.

    PubMed

    Tang, Qingbin; Huang, Cheng; Zhou, Yueming; Lu, Peixiang

    2013-09-09

    The multielectron dynamics in nonsequential triple ionization (NSTI) of neon atoms driven by mid-infrared (MIR) laser pulses is investigated with the three-dimensional classical ensemble model. In consistent with the experimental result, our numerical result shows that in the MIR regime, the triply charged ion longitudinal momentum spectrum exhibits a pronounced double-hump structure at low laser intensity. Back analysis reveals that as the intensity increases, the responsible triple ionization channels transform from direct (e, 3e) channel to the various mixed channels. This transformation of the NSTI channels leads to the results that the shape of ion momentum spectra becomes narrow and the distinct maxima shift towards low momenta with the increase of the laser intensity. By tracing the triply ionized trajectories, the various ionization channels at different laser intensities are clearly identified and these results provide an insight into the complex dynamics of the correlated three electrons in NSTI.

  12. Laser-enhanced thermal effect of moderate intensity focused ultrasound on bio-tissues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, JinYu; Zhang, ShuYi; Shui, XiuJi; Fan, Li

    2017-09-01

    For avoiding extra-damage to healthy tissues surrounding the focal point during high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment in medical therapy, to reduce the ultrasonic intensity outside the focal point is expected. Thus, the heating processes induced by moderate intensity focused ultrasound (MIFU) and enhanced by combined irradiation of laser pulses for bio-tissues are studied in details. For fresh bio-tissues, the enhanced thermal effects by pulsed laser combined with MIFU irradiation are observed experimentally. To explore the mechanisms of these effects, several tissue-mimicking materials composed of agar mixed with graphite powders are prepared and studied for comparison, but the laser-enhanced thermal effects in these mimicking materials are much less than that in the fresh bio-tissues. Therefore, it is suggested that the laser-enhanced thermal effects may be mainly attributed to bio-activities and related photo-bio-chemical effects of fresh tissues.

  13. Laser-driven ultrafast antiproton beam

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Shun; Pei, Zhikun; Shen, Baifei; Xu, Jiancai; Zhang, Lingang; Zhang, Xiaomei; Xu, Tongjun; Yu, Yong; Bu, Zhigang

    2018-02-01

    Antiproton beam generation is investigated based on the ultra-intense femtosecond laser pulse by using two-dimensional particle-in-cell and Geant4 simulations. A high-flux proton beam with an energy of tens of GeV is generated in sequential radiation pressure and bubble regime and then shoots into a high-Z target for producing antiprotons. Both yield and energy of the antiproton beam increase almost linearly with the laser intensity. The generated antiproton beam has a short pulse duration of about 5 ps and its flux reaches 2 × 10 20 s - 1 at the laser intensity of 2.14 × 10 23 W / cm 2 . Compared to conventional methods, this new method based on the ultra-intense laser pulse is able to provide a compact, tunable, and ultrafast antiproton source, which is potentially useful for quark-gluon plasma study, all-optical antihydrogen generation, and so on.

  14. Coulomb-repulsion-assisted double ionization from doubly excited states of argon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liao, Qing; Winney, Alexander H.; Lee, Suk Kyoung; Lin, Yun Fei; Adhikari, Pradip; Li, Wen

    2017-08-01

    We report a combined experimental and theoretical study to elucidate nonsequential double-ionization dynamics of argon atoms at laser intensities near and below the recollision-induced ionization threshold. Three-dimensional momentum measurements of two electrons arising from strong-field nonsequential double ionization are achieved with a custom-built electron-electron-ion coincidence apparatus, showing laser intensity-dependent Coulomb repulsion effect between the two outgoing electrons. Furthermore, a previously predicted feature of double ionization from doubly excited states is confirmed in the distributions of sum of two-electron momenta. A classical ensemble simulation suggests that Coulomb-repulsion-assisted double ionization from doubly excited states is at play at low laser intensity. This mechanism can explain the dependence of Coulomb repulsion effect on the laser intensity, as well as the transition from side-by-side to back-to-back dominant emission along the laser polarization direction.

  15. Temperature Histories of Structural Steel Laser and Hybrid Laser-GMA Welds Calculated Using Multiple Constraints

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-12-10

    Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 20375-5320 NRL/MR/6390--15-9665 Temperature Histories of Structural Steel Laser and Hybrid Laser-GMA Welds ...NUMBER OF PAGES 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT Temperature Histories of Structural Steel Laser and Hybrid Laser-GMA Welds Calculated Using Multiple...structures. These analyses provide parametric representations of weld temperature histories that can be adopted as input data to various types of

  16. Laser isotope separation by multiple photon absorption

    DOEpatents

    Robinson, C. Paul; Rockwood, Stephen D.; Jensen, Reed J.; Lyman, John L.; Aldridge, III, Jack P.

    1987-01-01

    Multiple photon absorption from an intense beam of infrared laser light may be used to induce selective chemical reactions in molecular species which result in isotope separation or enrichment. The molecular species must have a sufficient density of vibrational states in its vibrational manifold that, is the presence of sufficiently intense infrared laser light tuned to selectively excite only those molecules containing a particular isotope, multiple photon absorption can occur. By this technique, for example, intense CO.sub.2 laser light may be used to highly enrich .sup.34 S in natural SF.sub.6 and .sup.11 B in natural BCl.sub.3.

  17. Laser isotope separation by multiple photon absorption

    DOEpatents

    Robinson, C. Paul; Rockwood, Stephen D.; Jensen, Reed J.; Lyman, John L.; Aldridge, III, Jack P.

    1977-01-01

    Multiple photon absorption from an intense beam of infrared laser light may be used to induce selective chemical reactions in molecular species which result in isotope separation or enrichment. The molecular species must have a sufficient density of vibrational states in its vibrational manifold that, in the presence of sufficiently intense infrared laser light tuned to selectively excite only those molecules containing a particular isotope, multiple photon absorption can occur. By this technique, for example, intense CO.sub.2 laser light may be used to highly enrich .sup.34 S in natural SF.sub.6 and .sup.11 B in natural BCl.sub.3.

  18. Vector generator scan converter

    DOEpatents

    Moore, J.M.; Leighton, J.F.

    1988-02-05

    High printing speeds for graphics data are achieved with a laser printer by transmitting compressed graphics data from a main processor over an I/O channel to a vector generator scan converter which reconstructs a full graphics image for input to the laser printer through a raster data input port. The vector generator scan converter includes a microprocessor with associated microcode memory containing a microcode instruction set, a working memory for storing compressed data, vector generator hardware for drawing a full graphic image from vector parameters calculated by the microprocessor, image buffer memory for storing the reconstructed graphics image and an output scanner for reading the graphics image data and inputting the data to the printer. The vector generator scan converter eliminates the bottleneck created by the I/O channel for transmitting graphics data from the main processor to the laser printer, and increases printer speed up to thirty fold. 7 figs.

  19. Investigation on edge joints of Inconel 625 sheets processed with laser welding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Caiazzo, F.; Alfieri, V.; Cardaropoli, F.; Sergi, V.

    2017-08-01

    Laser welding of Inconel 625 edge joint beads in square groove configuration was investigated. The use of different weld geometries in new aerospace solutions explains research on edge joints. A structured plan was carried out in order to characterize the process defining the influence of laser power and welding speed and to study possible interactions among the governing factors. As weld pool protection is crucial in order to obtain sound joints when processing superalloys, a special glove box for gas supply was designed to upgrade the welding head. Welded joints were characterized referring to bead profile, microstructure and X-rays. It was found that heat input plays an important role as it affects welding stability, porosity content and bead shape. Results suggest operating with low values of heat input to reduce porosity and guarantee stable bead conformation. Furthermore, a decrease in the grain size has been observed as a consequence of decreasing heat input.

  20. The Photorefractive Effect and its Application in Optical Computing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Guo

    This Ph.D dissertation includes the fanning effect and the temperature dependence of the diffraction efficiency and response time using different addressing configurations, and evaluation of the limitations and capacity of a holographic storage in BaTiO_3 crystals. Also, we designed a digital holographic optical disk and made an associate memory. The beam fanning effect in a BaTiO_3 crystal was investigated in detail. The effect depends on the crystal faces illuminated. In particular, for the +c face of illumination we found that the fanning effect strongly depends on angle of incidence, polarization and wavelength of the incident light, crystal temperature, laser beam profile, but only weakly depends on input laser power. In the case of the -c face and a-face illumination dependence of the ring angle on wavelength and input power was observed. We found that the intensity of the reflected beam in NDFWM, the intensity of self phase conjugate beam and the response time of the fanning effect decrease with temperature exponentially and there being a major change around 60 ^circ-80^circ C. A random bistability and oscillation of the SPPC occur around 80^circC. We also present a theoretical analysis for the dependence of the photorefractive effect on temperature. We experimentally evaluate the capacity and limitation of optical storage in BaTiO_3 crystals using self-pumped phase conjugation (SPPC) and two-wave mixing. The storage capacity is different with different face of illumination, polarization, beam profile and input power. We demonstrate that using two wave mixing, three dimensional volume holograms can be stored. The information -bearing beam diameter for storage and recall can be about 0.25mm or less. By these techniques we demonstrate that at least 10^5 holograms can be stored in a 3.5 inch photorefractive disk. We evaluate an optimal optical architecture for exploiting the photorefractive effect for digital holographic disk storage. An image with many pixels was used for this experimental evaluation. By using a raytracing program, we traced a beam with a Gaussian profile through our optical system. We also estimated the Seidel aberration of our optical system in order to determine the quality of the stored digital data.

  1. [Combined use of various laser radiations in thoracic surgery in experimental studies].

    PubMed

    Ismailov, D A; Khoroshaev, V A; Shishkin, M A; Baĭbekov, I M

    1993-01-01

    The impact of various types of low-intensive lasers (He-Ne, copper vapour, ultraviolet, infrared, infrared gallium arsenide) on healing of a wound made by CO2 laser at an output power of 25 W was studied in an experiment on 120 albino Wistar rats. It was found that a concurrent application of high- and low-intensive lasers resulted in acceleration of reparative processes in the lung, stimulating the healing of laser-induced wounds. The infrared gallium arsenide laser was demonstrated to be the best tool in stimulating the healing process.

  2. Electronic-beam analysis of excimer lasers used for photorefractive keratotomy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roundy, Carlos B.

    1998-07-01

    Excimer lasers are an excellent instrument for performing photorefractive keratotomy, PRK. The UV light from the laser causes an ablation of the cornea in proportion to the intensity of the light. The primary characteristic essential to successful PRK is the uniformity of the Top Hat, or working portion of the laser beam. In order for this intensity profile to be sufficiently uniform for PRK, it is essential to periodically measure the equality of the laser beam profile. This ensures that the laser continues to operate properly and provide the expected performance.

  3. Correlated-Intensity velocimeter for Arbitrary Reflector

    DOEpatents

    Wang, Zhehui; Luo, Shengnian; Barnes, Cris W.; Paul, Stephen F.

    2008-11-11

    A velocimetry apparatus and method comprising splitting incoming reflected laser light and directing the laser light into first and second arms, filtering the laser light with passband filters in the first and second arms, one having a positive passband slope and the other having a negative passband slope, and detecting the filtered laser light via light intensity detectors following the passband filters in the first and second arms

  4. Reduced Power Laser Designation Systems

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-01-10

    buffering of the input stage; comparing the noise performance of the candidate amplifier designs; selection of the two-transistor bootstrap design as the...circuit of choice; and comparing the performance of this circuit against that of a basic transconductance amplifier . 15. SUBJECT TERMS Laser...Guided Weapons; Laser designation; laser rangefinders; infrared photodiodes; transconductance amplifiers . 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT U

  5. Numerical studies of acceleration of thorium ions by a laser pulse of ultra-relativistic intensity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Domanski, Jaroslaw; Badziak, Jan

    2018-01-01

    One of the key scientific projects of ELI-Nuclear Physics is to study the production of extremely neutron-rich nuclides by a new reaction mechanism called fission-fusion using laser-accelerated thorium (232Th) ions. This research is of crucial importance for understanding the nature of the creation of heavy elements in the Universe; however, they require Th ion beams of very high beam fluencies and intensities which are inaccessible in conventional accelerators. This contribution is a first attempt to investigate the possibility of the generation of intense Th ion beams by a fs laser pulse of ultra-relativistic intensity. The investigation was performed with the use of fully electromagnetic relativistic particle-in-cell code. A sub-μm thorium target was irradiated by a circularly polarized 20-fs laser pulse of intensity up to 1023 W/cm2, predicted to be attainable at ELI-NP. At the laser intensity 1023 W/cm2 and an optimum target thickness, the maximum energies of Th ions approach 9.3 GeV, the ion beam intensity is > 1020 W/cm2 and the total ion fluence reaches values 1019 ions/cm2. The last two values are much higher than attainable in conventional accelerators and are fairly promising for the planned ELI-NP experiment.

  6. Ion acceleration in electrostatic field of charged cavity created by ultra-short laser pulses of 1020-1021 W/cm2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bychenkov, V. Yu.; Singh, P. K.; Ahmed, H.; Kakolee, K. F.; Scullion, C.; Jeong, T. W.; Hadjisolomou, P.; Alejo, A.; Kar, S.; Borghesi, M.; Ter-Avetisyan, S.

    2017-01-01

    Ion acceleration resulting from the interaction of ultra-high intensity and ultra-high contrast (˜10-10) laser pulses with thin A l foil targets at 30° angle of laser incidence is studied. Proton maximum energies of 30 and 18 MeV are measured along the target normal rear and front sides, respectively, showing intensity scaling as Ib . For the target front bf r o n t= 0.5-0.6 and for the target rear br e a r= 0.7-0.8 is observed in the intensity range 1020-1021 W/cm2. The fast scaling from the target rear ˜I0.75 can be attributed enhancement of laser energy absorption as already observed at relatively low intensities. The backward acceleration of the front side protons with intensity scaling as ˜I0.5 can be attributed to the to the formation of a positively charged cavity at the target front via ponderomotive displacement of the target electrons at the interaction of relativistic intense laser pulses with a solid target. The experimental results are in a good agreement with theoretical predictions.

  7. Identifying the source of super-high energetic electrons in the presence of pre-plasma in laser–matter interaction at relativistic intensities

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wu, D.; Krasheninnikov, S. I.; Luan, S. X.

    The generation of super-high energetic electrons influenced by pre-plasma in relativistic intensity laser–matter interaction is studied in a one-dimensional slab approximation with particle-in-cell simulations. Different pre-plasma scale lengths and laser intensities are considered, showing an increase in both particle number and cut-off kinetic energy of electrons with the increase of pre-plasma scale length and laser intensity, the cut-off kinetic energy greatly exceeding the corresponding laser ponderomotive energy. A two-stage electron acceleration model is proposed to explain the underlying physics. The first stage is attributed to the synergetic acceleration by longitudinal electric field and counter-propagating laser pulses, and a scaling lawmore » is obtained with efficiency depending on the pre-plasma scale length and laser intensity. These electrons pre-accelerated in the first stage could build up an intense electrostatic potential barrier with maximal value several times as large as the initial electron kinetic energy. Some of the energetic electrons could be further accelerated by reflection off the electrostatic potential barrier, with their finial kinetic energies significantly higher than the values pre-accelerated in the first stage.« less

  8. Identifying the source of super-high energetic electrons in the presence of pre-plasma in laser–matter interaction at relativistic intensities

    DOE PAGES

    Wu, D.; Krasheninnikov, S. I.; Luan, S. X.; ...

    2016-10-03

    The generation of super-high energetic electrons influenced by pre-plasma in relativistic intensity laser–matter interaction is studied in a one-dimensional slab approximation with particle-in-cell simulations. Different pre-plasma scale lengths and laser intensities are considered, showing an increase in both particle number and cut-off kinetic energy of electrons with the increase of pre-plasma scale length and laser intensity, the cut-off kinetic energy greatly exceeding the corresponding laser ponderomotive energy. A two-stage electron acceleration model is proposed to explain the underlying physics. The first stage is attributed to the synergetic acceleration by longitudinal electric field and counter-propagating laser pulses, and a scaling lawmore » is obtained with efficiency depending on the pre-plasma scale length and laser intensity. These electrons pre-accelerated in the first stage could build up an intense electrostatic potential barrier with maximal value several times as large as the initial electron kinetic energy. Some of the energetic electrons could be further accelerated by reflection off the electrostatic potential barrier, with their finial kinetic energies significantly higher than the values pre-accelerated in the first stage.« less

  9. Spatiotemporal control of laser intensity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Froula, Dustin H.; Turnbull, David; Davies, Andrew S.

    The controlled coupling of a laser to a plasma has the potential to address grand scientific challenges including reaching the Schwinger limit, developing compact free electron lasers, extending linear colliders to TeV energies, and generating novel light sources for probing electron dynamics within molecules. Currently, many such applications have limited flexibility and poor control over the laser focal volume. Here we present an advanced focusing scheme called a “flying focus” where a chromatic focusing system combined with chirped laser pulses enables a small–diameter laser focus to propagate nearly 100 times its Rayleigh length, while decoupling the speed at which themore » peak intensity moves from its group velocity. This unprecedented spatiotemporal control over the laser focal volume allows the laser focus to co- or counter–propagate along its axis at any velocity. Experiments validating the concept measured subluminal (-0.09c) to superluminal (39c) focal spot velocities generating a nearly constant peak intensity over 4.5 mm.« less

  10. Spatiotemporal control of laser intensity

    DOE PAGES

    Froula, Dustin H.; Turnbull, David; Davies, Andrew S.; ...

    2018-03-12

    The controlled coupling of a laser to a plasma has the potential to address grand scientific challenges including reaching the Schwinger limit, developing compact free electron lasers, extending linear colliders to TeV energies, and generating novel light sources for probing electron dynamics within molecules. Currently, many such applications have limited flexibility and poor control over the laser focal volume. Here we present an advanced focusing scheme called a “flying focus” where a chromatic focusing system combined with chirped laser pulses enables a small–diameter laser focus to propagate nearly 100 times its Rayleigh length, while decoupling the speed at which themore » peak intensity moves from its group velocity. This unprecedented spatiotemporal control over the laser focal volume allows the laser focus to co- or counter–propagate along its axis at any velocity. Experiments validating the concept measured subluminal (-0.09c) to superluminal (39c) focal spot velocities generating a nearly constant peak intensity over 4.5 mm.« less

  11. Agricultural land use intensity and its determinants: A case study in Taibus Banner, Inner Mongolia, China

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hao, Haiguang; Li, Xiubin; Tan, Minghong; Zhang, Jiping; Zhang, Huiyuan

    2015-06-01

    Based on rural household survey data from Taibus Banner, in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, this study separately categorizes agricultural land use intensity into labor intensity, capital intensity, the intensity of labor-saving inputs, and the intensity of yield-increasing inputs, and then analyzes their determinants at the household level. The findings reveal that within the study area: (1) labor intensity is higher and capital intensity is lower than in the major grain-producing and economically developed areas of eastern and central China; (2) the most widely planted crops are those with the lowest labor intensity (oats) and capital intensity (benne); (3) there are marked differences in agricultural land use intensity among households; a major factor affecting land use decision-making is the reduced need for labor intensity for those households with high opportunity costs, such as those with income earned from non-farming activities which alleviates financial constraints and allows for increased capital intensity. As a result, these households invest more in labor-saving inputs; (4) households with a larger number of workers will allocate adequate time to manage their land and thus they will not necessarily invest more in labor-saving inputs. Those households with more land to manage tend to adopt an extensive cultivation strategy. Total income has a positive impact on capital intensity and a negative impact on labor intensity. Households that derive a higher proportion of their total income through farming are more reliant upon agriculture, which necessitates significant labor and yield-increasing inputs. Finally, the authors contend that policy makers should clearly recognize the impacts of non-farming employment on agricultural land use intensity. In order to ensure long-term food security and sustainable agricultural development in China, income streams from both farming and non-farming employment should be balanced.

  12. DNA fragmentation and nuclear phenotype in tendons exposed to low-intensity infrared laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Paoli, Flavia; Ramos Cerqueira, Larissa; Martins Ramos, Mayara; Campos, Vera M.; Ferreira-Machado, Samara C.; Geller, Mauro; de Souza da Fonseca, Adenilson

    2015-03-01

    Clinical protocols are recommended in device guidelines outlined for treating many diseases on empirical basis. However, effects of low-intensity infrared lasers at fluences used in clinical protocols on DNA are controversial. Excitation of endogenous chromophores in tissues and free radicals generation could be described as a consequence of laser used. DNA lesions induced by free radicals cause changes in DNA structure, chromatin organization, ploidy degrees and cell death. In this work, we investigated whether low-intensity infrared laser therapy could alter the fibroblasts nuclei characteristics and induce DNA fragmentation. Tendons of Wistar rats were exposed to low-intensity infrared laser (830 nm), at different fluences (1, 5 and 10 J/cm2), in continuous wave (power output of 10mW, power density of 79.6 mW/cm2). Different frequencies were analyzed for the higher fluence (10 J/cm2), at pulsed emission mode (2.5, 250 and 2500 Hz), with the laser source at surface of skin. Geometric, densitometric and textural parameters obtained for Feulgen-stained nuclei by image analysis were used to define nuclear phenotypes. Significant differences were observed on the nuclear phenotype of tendons after exposure to laser, as well as, high cell death percentages was observed for all fluences and frequencies analyzed here, exception 1 J/cm2 fluence. Our results indicate that low-intensity infrared laser can alter geometric, densitometric and textural parameters in tendon fibroblasts nuclei. Laser can also induce DNA fragmentation, chromatin lost and consequently cell death, using fluences, frequencies and emission modes took out from clinical protocols.

  13. Low-intensity red and infrared lasers affect mRNA expression of DNA nucleotide excision repair in skin and muscle tissue.

    PubMed

    Sergio, Luiz Philippe S; Campos, Vera Maria A; Vicentini, Solange C; Mencalha, Andre Luiz; de Paoli, Flavia; Fonseca, Adenilson S

    2016-04-01

    Lasers emit light beams with specific characteristics, in which wavelength, frequency, power, fluence, and emission mode properties determine the photophysical, photochemical, and photobiological responses. Low-intensity lasers could induce free radical generation in biological tissues and cause alterations in macromolecules, such as DNA. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) and excision repair cross-complementing group 2 (ERCC2) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in biological tissues exposed to low-intensity lasers. Wistar rat (n = 28, 4 for each group) skin and muscle were exposed to low-intensity red (660 nm) and near-infrared (880 nm) lasers at different fluences (25, 50, and 100 J/cm(2)), and samples of these tissues were withdrawn for RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and gene expression evaluation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Laser exposure was in continuous wave and power of 100 mW. Data show that ERCC1 and ERCC2 mRNA expressions decrease in skin (p < 0.001) exposed to near-infrared laser, but increase in muscle tissue (p < 0.001). ERCC1 mRNA expression does not alter (p > 0.05), but ERCC2 mRNA expression decreases in skin (p < 0.001) and increases in muscle tissue (p < 0.001) exposed to red laser. Our results show that ERCC1 and ERCC2 mRNA expression is differently altered in skin and muscle tissue exposed to low-intensity lasers depending on wavelengths and fluences used in therapeutic protocols.

  14. NONLINEAR AND FIBER OPTICS: Transverse traveling pulses in bistable interferometers with competing nonlinearities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rzhanov, Yu A.; Grigor'yants, A. V.; Balkareĭ, Yu I.; Elinson, M. I.

    1990-04-01

    A detailed qualitative description is given of the formation and propagation of leading edges of transverse traveling pulses in a bistable semiconductor interferometer with competing concentration and thermal mechanisms of nonlinear refraction. It is shown that, depending on the laser pumping rate and the heat transfer conditions, two types of traveling pulses may exist with elevated and reduced transmission. Each of these may be initiated by a local change in the input intensity of any sign. When the interferometer is pumped by a spatially inhomogeneous, (for example, Gaussian) beam, periodic spontaneous initiation of both types of traveling pulses may take place at the periphery or in the center of a beam. Traveling pulses are modeled numerically under various interferometer pumping conditions.

  15. Atom detection and photon production in a scalable, open, optical microcavity.

    PubMed

    Trupke, M; Goldwin, J; Darquié, B; Dutier, G; Eriksson, S; Ashmore, J; Hinds, E A

    2007-08-10

    A microfabricated Fabry-Perot optical resonator has been used for atom detection and photon production with less than 1 atom on average in the cavity mode. Our cavity design combines the intrinsic scalability of microfabrication processes with direct coupling of the cavity field to single-mode optical waveguides or fibers. The presence of the atom is seen through changes in both the intensity and the noise characteristics of probe light reflected from the cavity input mirror. An excitation laser passing transversely through the cavity triggers photon emission into the cavity mode and hence into the single-mode fiber. These are first steps toward building an optical microcavity network on an atom chip for applications in quantum information processing.

  16. HALOS: fast, autonomous, holographic adaptive optics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andersen, Geoff P.; Gelsinger-Austin, Paul; Gaddipati, Ravi; Gaddipati, Phani; Ghebremichael, Fassil

    2014-08-01

    We present progress on our holographic adaptive laser optics system (HALOS): a compact, closed-loop aberration correction system that uses a multiplexed hologram to deconvolve the phase aberrations in an input beam. The wavefront characterization is based on simple, parallel measurements of the intensity of fixed focal spots and does not require any complex calculations. As such, the system does not require a computer and is thus much cheaper, less complex than conventional approaches. We present details of a fully functional, closed-loop prototype incorporating a 32-element MEMS mirror, operating at a bandwidth of over 10kHz. Additionally, since the all-optical sensing is made in parallel, the speed is independent of actuator number - running at the same bandwidth for one actuator as for a million.

  17. An investigation into possible quantum chaos in the H2 molecule under intense laser fields via Ehrenfest phase space (EPS) trajectories.

    PubMed

    Sadhukhan, Mainak; Deb, B M

    2018-06-21

    By employing the Ehrenfest "phase space" trajectory method for studying quantum chaos, developed in our laboratory, the present study reveals that the H 2 molecule under intense laser fields of three different intensities, I = 1 × 10 14  W/cm 2 , 5 × 10 14  W/cm 2 , and 1 × 10 15  W/cm 2 , does not show quantum chaos. A similar conclusion is also reached through the Loschmidt echo (also called quantum fidelity) calculations reported here for the first time for a real molecule under intense laser fields. Thus, a long-standing conjecture about the possible existence of quantum chaos in atoms and molecules under intense laser fields has finally been tested and not found to be valid in the present case.

  18. Measurements of plasma mirror reflectivity and focal spot quality for tens of picosecond laser pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Forestier-Colleoni, Pierre; Williams, Jackson; Scott, Graeme; Mariscal, Dereck. A.; McGuffey, Christopher; Beg, Farhat N.; Chen, Hui; Neely, David; Ma, Tammy

    2017-10-01

    The Advanced Radiographic Capability (ARC) laser at the NIF (LLNL) is high-energy ( 4 kJ) with a pulse length of 30ps, and is capable of focusing to an intensity of 1018W/cm2 with a 100 μm focal spot. The ARC laser is at an intensity which can be used to produce proton beams. However, for applications such as radiography and warm dense matter creation, a higher laser intensity may be desired to generate more energetic proton beams. One possibility to increase the intensity is to decrease the focused spot size by employing a smaller f-number optic. But it is difficult to implement such an optic or to bring the final focusing parabola closer to the target within the complicated NIF chamber geometry. A proposal is to use ellipsoidal plasma mirrors (PM) for fast focusing of the ARC laser light, thereby increasing the peak intensity. There is uncertainty, however, in the survivability and reflectivity of PM at such long pulse durations. Here, we show experimental results from the Titan laser to study the reflectivity of flat PM as a function of laser pulse length. A calorimeter was used to measure the PM reflectivity. We also observed degradation of the far and near field energy distribution of the laser after the reflection by the PM for pulse-lengths beyond 10ps. Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. Funded by the LLNL LDRD program: tracking code 17-ERD-039.

  19. Improving the intensity of a focused laser beam

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haddadi, Sofiane; Fromager, Michael; Louhibi, Djelloul; Hasnaoui, Abdelkrim; Harfouche, Ali; Cagniot, Emmanuel; ńit-Ameur, Kamel

    2015-03-01

    Let us consider the family of symmetrical Laguerre-Gaus modes of zero azimuthal order which will be denoted as LGp0 . The latter is made up of central lobe surrounded by p concentric rings of light. The fundamental mode LG00 is a Gaussian beam of width W. The focusing of a LGp0 beam of power P by a converging lens of focal length f produces a focal spot keeping the LGp0 -shape and having a central intensity I0= 2PW2/(λf)2 whatever the value of the radial order p. Many applications of lasers (laser marking, laser ablation, …) seek nowadays for a focal laser spot with the highest as possible intensity. For a given power P, increasing intensity I0 can be achieved by increasing W and reducing the focal length f. However, this way of doing is in fact limited because the ratio W/f cannot increase indefinitely at the risk of introducing a huge truncation upon the edge of the lens. In fact, it is possible to produce a single-lobed focal spot with a central intensity of about p times the intensity I0. This result has been obtained by reshaping (rectification) a LGp0 beam thanks to a proper Binary Diffractive Optical Element (BDOE). In addition, forcing a laser cavity to oscillate upon a LGp0 can improve the power extract due to a mode volume increasing with the mode order p. This could allow envisaging an economy of scale in term of laser pumping power for producing a given intensity I0. In addition, we have demonstrated that a rectified LGp0 beam better stand the lens spherical aberration than the usual Gaussian beam.

  20. Time-of-flight measurement of ionic species generated during ablation for optimization of focusing condition at free-electron laser beamline

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Senba, Y.; Nagasono, M.; Koyama, T.; Yumoto, H.; Ohashi, H.; Tono, K.; Togashi, T.; Inubushi, Y.; Sato, T.; Yabashi, M.; Ishikawa, T.

    2013-03-01

    Optimization of focusing conditions is important in free-electron laser applications. A time-of-flight mass analyzer has been designed and constructed for this purpose. The time-of-flight spectra of ionic species evolved from laser ablation of gold were measured. The yields of ionic species showed strong correlations with free-electron-laser intensity. This method conveniently allows for direct estimation of laser intensity on sample and determination of focusing position.

  1. Lasers Induced Damage in Optical Materials: 1985. Proceedings of the Symposium on Optical Materials for High-Power Lasers (17th) Held in Boulder, Colorado on October 28-30, 1985

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-07-01

    optical coatings.[lj In * single and multilayer anatase TiO 2 coatings, sufficiently intense pulsed laser irradiation at 532 nm led to observation of...temperatures of pulsed laser - irradiated anatase coatings have been computed from Stokes/anti-Stokes band intensity ratios at zero time delay as a function of...Adar Time-Resolved Temperature Determinations from Raman Scattering of TiO𔃼 Coatings During Pulsed Laser Irradiation

  2. Characterization of the spectral phase of an intense laser at focus via ionization blueshift

    DOE PAGES

    Mittelberger, D. E.; Nakamura, K.; Lehe, R.; ...

    2016-01-01

    An in situ diagnostic for verifying the spectral phase of an intense laser pulse at focus is shown. This diagnostic relies on measuring the effect of optical compression on ionization-induced blueshifting of the laser spectrum. Experimental results from the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator, a laser source rigorously characterized by conventional techniques, are presented and compared with simulations to illustrate the utility of this technique. These simulations show distinguishable effects from second-, third-, and fourth-order spectral phase.

  3. A plasma microlens for ultrashort high power lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Katzir, Yiftach; Eisenmann, Shmuel; Ferber, Yair; Zigler, Arie; Hubbard, Richard F.

    2009-07-01

    We present a technique for generation of miniature plasma lens system that can be used for focusing and collimating a high intensity femtosecond laser pulse. The plasma lens was created by a nanosecond laser, which ablated a capillary entrance. The spatial configuration of the ablated plasma focused a high intensity femtosecond laser pulse. This configuration offers versatility in the plasma lens small f-number for extremely tight focusing of high power lasers with no damage threshold restrictions of regular optical components.

  4. Experimental approach to interaction physics challenges of the shock ignition scheme using short pulse lasers.

    PubMed

    Goyon, C; Depierreux, S; Yahia, V; Loisel, G; Baccou, C; Courvoisier, C; Borisenko, N G; Orekhov, A; Rosmej, O; Labaune, C

    2013-12-06

    An experimental program was designed to study the most important issues of laser-plasma interaction physics in the context of the shock ignition scheme. In the new experiments presented in this Letter, a combination of kilojoule and short laser pulses was used to study the laser-plasma coupling at high laser intensities for a large range of electron densities and plasma profiles. We find that the backscatter is dominated by stimulated Brillouin scattering with stimulated Raman scattering staying at a limited level. This is in agreement with past experiments using long pulses but laser intensities limited to 2×10(15)  W/cm2, or short pulses with intensities up to 5×10(16)  W/cm2 as well as with 2D particle-in-cell simulations.

  5. Ultra-Intense Short-Pulse Pair Creation Using the Texas Petawatt Laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Edison; Henderson, Alexander; Clarke, Taylor; Taylor, Devin; Chaguine, Petr; Serratto, Kristina; Riley, Nathan; Dyer, Gilliss; Donovan, Michael; Ditmire, Todd

    2013-10-01

    We report results from the 2012 pair creation experiment using the Texas Petawatt Laser. Up to 1011 positrons per steradian were detected using 100 Joule pulses from the Texas Petawatt Laser to irradiate gold targets, with peak laser intensities up to 1.9 × 1021W/cm2 and pulse durations as short as 130 fs. Positron-to-electron ratios exceeding 20% were measured on some shots. The positron energy, positron yield per unit laser energy, and inferred positron density are significantly higher than those reported in previous experiments. This confirms that, for a given laser energy, higher intensity and shorter pulses irradiating thicker targets are more favorable for pair creation. Narrow-band high-energy positrons up to 23 MeV were observed from thin targets. Supported by DOE Grant DE-SC-0001481 and Rice FIF.

  6. Guiding of High Laser Intensities in Long Plasma Channels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Levin, M.; Eisenmann, S.; Palchan, T.; Zigler, A.; Sugiyama, K.; Nakajima, K.; Kaganovich, D.; Hubbard, R. F.; Ting, A.; Gordon, D. F.; Sprangle, P.; Fraenkel, M.; Maman, S.; Henis, Z.

    Plasma channels have been widely used to guide intense laser pulses over many Rayleigh lengths. Using optimized segmented capillary discharges, we demonstrated guided propagation of ultra short (100 fs) high intensity (1016 W/cm-2, limited by the laser system) pulses over distances up to 12.6 cm and intensities above 1018W/cm2 for 1.5cm boron nitride capillary. Both radial and longitudinal density profiles of plasma channels were studied under various discharge conditions. A new diagnostic technique is presented in which the transport of a guided laser pulse at different delay times from the initiation of the discharge is sampled on a single discharge shot. Using external, 10 nsec Nd YAG laser of several tenths of milijoules to ignite polyethylene capillaries we have demonstrated channels of various length in density range of 1017 - 1019 cm-3 and up to 25% deep. The longitudinal profiles were found to be remarkably uniform in both short and long capillaries. The Boron Nitride capillary has provided a guiding medium that can withstand more than 1000 shots. Using these capillaries we have guided laser intensities above 1018W/cm2. The laser ignition of capillary discharge provided reliable almost jitter free approach. The concerns related to influence of relatively high current density flow through capillary on the injected electrons were studied extensively by us both theoretically and experimentally using a simple injection method. The method is based on the interaction of a high intensity laser pulse with a thin wire placed near capillary entrance. The influence of magnetic fields was found to be insignificant. Using this method we have studied transport of electrons though capillary discharge.

  7. Cavity electromagnetically induced transparency with Rydberg atoms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bakar Ali, Abu; Ziauddin

    2018-02-01

    Cavity electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is revisited via the input probe field intensity. A strongly interacting Rydberg atomic medium ensemble is considered in a cavity, where atoms behave as superatoms (SAs) under the dipole blockade mechanism. Each atom in the strongly interacting Rydberg atomic medium (87 Rb) follows a three-level cascade atomic configuration. A strong control and weak probe field are employed in the cavity with the ensemble of Rydberg atoms. The features of the reflected and transmitted probe light are studied under the influence of the input probe field intensity. A transparency peak (cavity EIT) is revealed at a resonance condition for small values of input probe field intensity. The manipulation of the cavity EIT is reported by tuning the strength of the input probe field intensity. Further, the phase and group delay of the transmitted and reflected probe light are studied. It is found that group delay and phase in the reflected light are negative, while for the transmitted light they are positive. The magnitude control of group delay in the transmitted and reflected light is investigated via the input probe field intensity.

  8. Limit on Excitation and Stabilization of Atoms in Intense Optical Laser Fields.

    PubMed

    Zimmermann, H; Meise, S; Khujakulov, A; Magaña, A; Saenz, A; Eichmann, U

    2018-03-23

    Atomic excitation in strong optical laser fields has been found to take place even at intensities exceeding saturation. The concomitant acceleration of the atom in the focused laser field has been considered a strong link to, if not proof of, the existence of the so-called Kramers-Henneberger (KH) atom, a bound atomic system in an intense laser field. Recent findings have moved the importance of the KH atom from being purely of theoretical interest toward real world applications; for instance, in the context of laser filamentation. Considering this increasing importance, we explore the limits of strong-field excitation in optical fields, which are basically imposed by ionization through the spatial field envelope and the field propagation.

  9. Speckle-Suppression Apparatus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Taback, Israel

    1989-01-01

    Technique and apparatus developed to reduce speckle in unmodulated laser pulses, using reduced number of optical fibers. Expected to decrease costs of bundles of optical fibers used to transmit unmodulated laser pulses. New apparatus reduces speckle in optically transmitted, unmodulated laser input pulse by introducing number of independent delays into pulse.

  10. Intense laser pulse propagation in ionizing gases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bian, Zhigang

    2003-10-01

    There have been considerable technological advances in the development of high intensity, short pulse lasers. However, high intensity laser pulses are subject to various laser-plasma instabilities. In this thesis, a theory is developed to study the scattering instability that occurs when a laser pulse propagates through and ionizes a gas. The instability is due to the intensity dependence of the ionization rate, which leads to a transversely structured free electron density. The instability is convective in the frame of laser pulse, but can have a relatively short growth length scaling as Lg˜k0/k2p where k0 is the laser wave number, k2p=w2p/c 2 and op is the plasma frequency. The most unstable perturbations correspond to a scattering angle for which the transverse wave number is around the plasma wave number, k p. The scattered light is frequency upshifted. The comparison between simple analytic theory and numerical simulation shows good agreement. Instabilities can drastically change the shape of the laser pulse and reduce the propagation distance of the laser pulse. Therefore, we change the propagation conditions and reduce the laser-plasma interaction possibilities in applications which require an interaction length well in excess of the Rayleigh length of the laser beam. One of the methods is to use a capillary to propagate the laser pulse. We studied the propagation of short pulses in a glass capillary. The propagation is simulated using the code WAKE, which has been modified to treat the case in which the simulation boundary is the wall of a capillary. Parameters that were examined include transmission efficiency of the waveguides as a function of gas pressure, laser intensity, and waveguide length, which is up to 40 Rayleigh lengths. The transmission efficiency decreases with waveguide length due to energy loss through the side-walls of the capillary. The loss increases with gas pressure due to ionization of the gas and scattering of the radiation. The intensity on the inner wall of the capillary is monitored to assure realistic simulations, consistent with optical breakdown of the waveguide material. Generally speaking the intensity on the wall increases with gas pressure due to the scattering of the lowest order capillary mode. Finally, the high order harmonic generation (HHG) in a capillary is investigated. The phase matching condition is studied to increase the conversion efficiency for high order harmonics generation. The phase matching occurs as a balance of the dispersion of the neutral gas, plasma and the waveguide.

  11. Ultra-intense Pair Creation using the Texas Petawatt Laser and Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Edison; Henderson, Alexander; Clarke, Taylor; Lo, Willie; Chaguine, Petr; Dyer, Gilliss; Riley, Nathan; Serratto, Kristina; Donovan, Michael; Ditmire, Todd

    2014-10-01

    Pair plasmas and intense gamma-ray sources are ubiquitous in the high-energy universe, from pulser winds to gamma-ray bursts (GRB). Their study can be greatly enhanced if such sources can be recreated in the laboratory under controlled conditions. In 2012 and 2013, a joint Rice-University of Texas team performed over 130 laser shots on thick gold and platinum targets using the 100 Joule Texas Petawatt Laser in Austin. The laser intensity of many shots exceeded 1021 W.cm-2 with pulses as short as 130 fs. These experiments probe a new extreme regime of ultra-intense laser - high-Z solid target interactions never achieved before. In addition to creating copious pairs with the highest density (>1015/cc) and emergent e +/e- ratio exceeding 20% in many shots, these experiments also created the highest density multi-MeV gamma-rays, comparable in absolute numbers to those found inside a gamma-ray burst (GRB). Potential applications of such intense pair and gamma-ray sources to laboratory astrophysics and innovative technologies will be discussed. Work supported by DOE HEDLP program.

  12. Band Gap Distortion in Semiconductors Strongly Driven by Intense Mid-Infrared Laser Fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kono, J.; Chin, A. H.

    2000-03-01

    Crystalline solids non-resonantly driven by intense time-periodic electric fields are predicted to exhibit unusual band-gap distortion.(e.g., Y. Yacoby, Phys. Rev. 169, 610 (1968); L.C.M. Miranda, Solid State Commun. 45, 783 (1983); J.Z. Kaminski, Acta Physica Polonica A 83, 495(1993).) Such non-perturbative effects have not been observed to date because of the unavoidable sample damage due to the very high intensity required using conventional lasers ( 1 eV photon energy). Here, we report the first clear evidence of laser-induced bandgap shrinkage in semiconductors under intense mid-infrared (MIR) laser fields. The use of long-wavelength light reduces the required intensity and prohibits strong interband absorption, thereby avoiding the damage problem. The significant sub-bandgap absorption persists only during the existence of the MIR laser pulse, indicating the virtual nature of the effect. We show that this particular example of non-perturbative behavior, known as the dynamical Franz-Keldysh effect, occurs when the effective ponderomotive potential energy is comparable to the photon energy of the applied field. This work was supported by ONR, NSF, JST and NEDO.

  13. Linear and nonlinear optical properties in an asymmetric double quantum well under intense laser field: Effects of applied electric and magnetic fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yesilgul, U.; Al, E. B.; Martínez-Orozco, J. C.; Restrepo, R. L.; Mora-Ramos, M. E.; Duque, C. A.; Ungan, F.; Kasapoglu, E.

    2016-08-01

    In the present study, the effects of electric and magnetic fields on the linear and third-order nonlinear optical absorption coefficients and relative change of the refractive index in asymmetric GaAs/GaAlAs double quantum wells under intense laser fields are theoretically investigated. The electric field is oriented along the growth direction of the heterostructure while the magnetic field is taken in-plane. The intense laser field is linear polarization along the growth direction. Our calculations are made using the effective-mass approximation and the compact density-matrix approach. Intense laser effects on the system are investigated with the use of the Floquet method with the consequent change in the confinement potential of heterostructures. Our results show that the increase of the electric and magnetic fields blue-shifts the peak positions of the total absorption coefficient and of the total refractive index while the increase of the intense laser field firstly blue-shifts the peak positions and later results in their red-shifting.

  14. Resonator design and performance estimation for a space-based laser transmitter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agrawal, Lalita; Bhardwaj, Atul; Pal, Suranjan; Kamalakar, J. A.

    2006-12-01

    Development of a laser transmitter for space applications is a highly challenging task. The laser must be rugged, reliable, lightweight, compact and energy efficient. Most of these features are inherently achieved by diode pumping of solid state lasers. Overall system reliability can further be improved by appropriate optical design of the laser resonator besides selection of suitable electro-optical and opto-mechanical components. This paper presents the design details and the theoretically estimated performance of a crossed-porro prism based, folded Z-shaped laser resonator. A symmetrically pumped Nd: YAG laser rod of 3 mm diameter and 60 mm length is placed in the gain arm with total input peak power of 1800 W from laser diode arrays. Electro-optical Q-switching is achieved through a combination of a polarizer, a fractional waveplate and LiNbO 3 Q-switch crystal (9 x 9 x 25 mm) placed in the feedback arm. Polarization coupled output is obtained by optimizing azimuth angle of quarter wave plate placed in the gain arm. Theoretical estimation of laser output energy and pulse width has been carried out by varying input power levels and resonator length to analyse the performance tolerances. The designed system is capable of meeting the objective of generating laser pulses of 10 ns duration and 30 mJ energy @ 10 Hz.

  15. Enhanced visible light generation in an active microcavity via third-harmonic conversion beyond the non-depletion approximation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Rong; Ding, Chunling; Wang, Jiangpeng; Zhang, Duo

    2017-12-01

    We explore the possibility of using an active doubly resonant microtoroid resonator to produce high-efficiency third-harmonic generation (THG) by exploiting optical third-order nonlinearity. In a microresonator, the active fundamental mode is coherently driven with a continuous-wave input laser at the telecommunication wavelength (1550 nm), and then, the visible THG signal (517 nm) is monitored via an individual bus waveguide. We thoroughly compare our results with those obtained from the conventional passive (i.e., loss) microtoroid resonator by a systematic analysis and detailed numerical simulations based on the Heisenberg-Langevin equations of motion. It is shown that the achievable THG spectrum features an ultralow critical input power. The THG power transmission can be significantly enhanced by about three orders of magnitude at a low input power of 0.1 μ W as compared with the obtained results in the passive microtoroid resonator THG system. Moreover, the THG efficiency can reach up to 100% with optical critical input power as low as a few microwatts. In turn, the analytical expressions of the critical intracavity intensity of the light in the microcavity, the critical input pump power, and the maximum THG efficiency are obtained. The enhanced THG power transmission and high conversion efficiency are attributed to a gain-induced loss compensation in the microtoroid resonator, reducing the effective loss felt by the resonator photons. With state-of-the art technologies in the field of solid-state resonators, including but not limited to microtoroids, the proposed THG scheme is experimentally realizable.

  16. Cross-frequency coupling in deep brain structures upon processing the painful sensory inputs.

    PubMed

    Liu, C C; Chien, J H; Kim, J H; Chuang, Y F; Cheng, D T; Anderson, W S; Lenz, F A

    2015-09-10

    Cross-frequency coupling has been shown to be functionally significant in cortical information processing, potentially serving as a mechanism for integrating functionally relevant regions in the brain. In this study, we evaluate the hypothesis that pain-related gamma oscillatory responses are coupled with low-frequency oscillations in the frontal lobe, amygdala and hippocampus, areas known to have roles in pain processing. We delivered painful laser pulses to random locations on the dorsal hand of five patients with uncontrolled epilepsy requiring depth electrode implantation for seizure monitoring. Two blocks of 40 laser stimulations were delivered to each subject and the pain-intensity was controlled at five in a 0-10 scale by adjusting the energy level of the laser pulses. Local-field-potentials (LFPs) were recorded through bilaterally implanted depth electrode contacts to study the oscillatory responses upon processing the painful laser stimulations. Our results show that painful laser stimulations enhanced low-gamma (LH, 40-70 Hz) and high-gamma (HG, 70-110 Hz) oscillatory responses in the amygdala and hippocampal regions on the right hemisphere and these gamma responses were significantly coupled with the phases of theta (4-7 Hz) and alpha (8-1 2 Hz) rhythms during pain processing. Given the roles of these deep brain structures in emotion, these findings suggest that the oscillatory responses in these regions may play a role in integrating the affective component of pain, which may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the affective information processing in humans. Copyright © 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Simulation of heating by optical absorption in nanoparticle dispersions (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olbricht, Benjamin C.

    2017-02-01

    With the proliferation of highly confined, nanophotonic waveguides and laser sources with increasing intensity, the effects of laser heating will begin to greatly impact the materials used in optical applications. In order to better understand the mechanism of laser heating, its timescales, and the dispersion of heat into the material, simulations of nanoparticles in various media are presented. A generic model to describe a variety of nanoparticle shapes and sizes is desirable to describe complex phenomenon. These particles are dispersed into various solids, liquids, or gases depending on the application. To simulate nanoparticles and their interaction with their host material, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is used. Heat transfer following an absorption event is also described by a parabolic partial differential equation, and transient solutions are generated in response to continuous, pulsed, or modulated laser radiation. The simplest physical system described by FEM is that of a broadly-absorbing round-shaped nanoparticle dispersed in viscous host fluid or solid. Many experimental and theoretical studies conveniently describe a very similar system: a carbon "black" nanoparticle suspended in water. This material is well-known to exhibit nonlinear behavior when a laser pulse carrying 0.7 J/cm2 is incident on the material. For this process the FEM simulations agree with experimental results to show that a pulse of this fluence is capable of heating the solvent elements adjacent to the nanoparticle to their boiling point. This creates nonlinear scattering which is empirically observed as a nonlinear decrease in the transmitted power at this input fluence.

  18. Laser Induced Nuclear Fusion, LINF, In Muonic Molecules With Ultrashort Super Intense Laser Fields

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bandrauk, Andre D.; Paramonov, Gennady K.

    2010-02-02

    Muonium molecules where muons replace electrons increase the stability of molecules to ionization at superhigh intensities, I>10{sup 20} W/cm{sup 2}. We show furthermore from numerical simulations that in the nonsymmetric series, pdu, dtu, ptu, the permanent dipole moments can be used to enhance LINF, Laser Induced Nuclear Fusion by laser induced recollision of the light nucleus with the heavier nucleus.

  19. Measurement of laser absorptivity for operating parameters characteristic of laser drilling regime

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schneider, M.; Berthe, L.; Fabbro, R.; Muller, M.

    2008-08-01

    Laser drilling in the percussion regime is commonly used in the aircraft industry to drill sub-millimetre holes in metallic targets. Characteristic laser intensities in the range of 10 MW cm-2 are typically employed for drilling metallic targets. With these intensities the temperature of the irradiated matter is above the vaporization temperature and the drilling process is led by hydrodynamic effects. Although the main physical processes involved are identified, this process is not correctly understood or completely controlled. A major characteristic coefficient of laser-matter interaction for this regime, which is the absorptivity of the laser on the irradiated surface, is still unknown, because of the perturbing effects due to laser beam geometrical trapping inside the drilled hole. So, by using time resolved experiments, this study deals with the direct measurement of the variation of the intrinsic absorption of aluminium, nickel and steel materials, as a function of the incident laser intensity up to 20 MW cm-2. We observe that for this incident intensity, the absorptivity can reach up to 80%. This very high and unexpected value is discussed by considering the microscopic behaviour of the heated matter near the vapour-liquid interface that undergoes possible Rayleigh-Taylor instability or volume absorption.

  20. LPI Experiments at the Nike Laser*

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weaver, J.; Oh, J.; Afeyan, B.; Phillips, L.; Seely, J.; Brown, C.; Karasik, M.; Serlin, V.; Obenschain, S.; Chan, L.-Y.; Kehne, D.; Brown, D.; Schmitt, A.; Velikovich, A.; Feldman, U.; Holland, G.; Aglitskiy, Y.

    2007-11-01

    Advanced implosion designs under development at NRL for direct drive inertial confinement fusion incorporate high intensity pulses from a krypton-fluoride (KrF) laser to achieve significant gain with lower total laser energy (Etot˜500 kJ). These designs will be affected by the thresholds and magnitudes of laser plasma instabilities (LPI). The Nike laser can create short, high intensity pulses (t <0.4 ns; I>10^15 W/cm^2) to explore how LPI will be influenced by the deep UV (248 nm), broad bandwidth (2-3 THz), and induced spatial incoherence beam smoothing of the NRL KrF laser systems. Previous results demonstrated no visible/VUV signatures of two-plasmon decay (2φp) for overlapped intensities ˜2x10^15 W/cm^2. We have increased the laser intensity and expanded the range of targets and diagnostics. Single and double pulse experiments are being planned with solid, foam, and cryogenic targets. In addition to spectrometers to study SRS, 2φp, SBS, and the parametric decay instability, hard x-ray spectrometers (hν>2 keV) and a scintillator/photomultiplier array (hν>10 keV) have been deployed to examine hot electron generation. *Work supported by U. S. DoE.

  1. Observation of parametric instabilities in the quarter critical density region driven by the Nike KrF laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weaver, J. L.; Oh, J.; Phillips, L.; Afeyan, B.; Seely, J.; Kehne, D.; Brown, C. M.; Obenschain, S. P.; Serlin, V.; Schmitt, A. J.; Feldman, U.; Lehmberg, R. H.; Mclean, E.; Manka, C.

    2013-02-01

    The krypton-fluoride (KrF) laser is an attractive choice for inertial confinement fusion due to its combination of short wavelength (λ =248 nm), large bandwidth (up to 3 THz), and superior beam smoothing by induced spatial incoherence. These qualities improve the overall hydrodynamics of directly driven pellet implosions and should allow use of increased laser intensity due to higher thresholds for laser plasma instabilities when compared to frequency tripled Nd:glass lasers (λ =351 nm). Here, we report the first observations of the two-plasmon decay instability using a KrF laser. The experiments utilized the Nike laser facility to irradiate solid plastic planar targets over a range of pulse lengths (0.35 ns≤τ≤1.25 ns) and intensities (up to 2×1015 W/cm2). Variation of the laser pulse created different combinations of electron temperature and electron density scale length. The observed onset of instability growth was consistent with the expected scaling that KrF lasers have a higher intensity threshold for instabilities in the quarter critical density region.

  2. Dichromatic laser radiation effects on DNA of Escherichia coli and plasmids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martins, W. A.; Polignano, G. A. C.; Guimarães, O. R.; Geller, M.; Paoli, F.; Fonseca, A. S.

    2015-04-01

    Dichromatic and consecutive laser radiations have attracted increased attention for clinical applications as offering new tools for the treatment of dysfunctional tissues in situations where monochromatic radiation is not effective. This work evaluated the survival, filamentation and morphology of Escherichia coli cells, and the induction of DNA lesions, in plasmid DNA exposed to low-intensity consecutive dichromatic laser radiation. Exponential and stationary wild type and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase/MutM protein deficient E. coli cultures were exposed to consecutive low-intensity dichromatic laser radiation (infrared laser immediately after red laser) to study the survival, filamentation and morphology of bacterial cells. Plasmid DNA samples were exposed to dichromatic radiation to study DNA lesions by electrophoretic profile. Dichromatic laser radiation affects the survival, filamentation and morphology of E. coli cultures depending on the growth phase and the functional repair mechanism of oxidizing lesions in DNA, but does not induce single/double strands breaks or alkali-labile DNA lesions. Results show that low-intensity consecutive dichromatic laser radiation induces biological effects that differ from those induced by monochromatic laser radiation, suggesting that other therapeutic effects could be obtained using dichromatic radiation.

  3. The reverse laser drilling of transparent materials

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Anthony, T. R.; Lindner, P. A.

    1980-01-01

    Within a limited range of incident laser-beam intensities, laser drilling of a sapphire wafer initiates on the surface of the wafer where the laser beam exits and proceeds upstream in the laser beam to the surface where the laser beam enters the wafer. This reverse laser drilling is the result of the constructive interference between the laser beam and its reflected component on the exit face of the wafer. Constructive interference occurs only at the exit face of the sapphire wafer because the internally reflected laser beam suffers no phase change there. A model describing reverse laser drilling predicts the ranges of incident laser-beam intensity where no drilling, reverse laser drilling, and forward laser drilling can be expected in various materials. The application of reverse laser drilling in fabricating feed-through conductors in silicon-on-sapphire wafers for a massively parallel processer is described.

  4. Thomson scattering in high-intensity chirped laser pulses

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holkundkar, Amol R., E-mail: amol.holkundkar@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in; Harvey, Chris, E-mail: christopher.harvey@chalmers.se; Marklund, Mattias, E-mail: mattias.marklund@chalmers.se

    2015-10-15

    We consider the Thomson scattering of an electron in an ultra-intense laser pulse. It is well known that at high laser intensities, the frequency and brilliance of the emitted radiation will be greatly reduced due to the electron losing energy before it reaches the peak field. In this work, we investigate the use of a small frequency chirp in the laser pulse in order to mitigate this effect of radiation reaction. It is found that the introduction of a negative chirp means the electron enters a high frequency region of the field while it still has a large proportion ofmore » its original energy. This results in a significant enhancement of the frequency and intensity of the emitted radiation as compared to the case without chirping.« less

  5. Intense laser field effects on a Woods-Saxon potential quantum well

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Restrepo, R. L.; Morales, A. L.; Akimov, V.; Tulupenko, V.; Kasapoglu, E.; Ungan, F.; Duque, C. A.

    2015-11-01

    This paper presents the results of the theoretical study of the effects of non-resonant intense laser field and electric and magnetic fields on the optical properties in an quantum well (QW) make with Woods-Saxon potential profile. The electric field and intense laser field are applied along the growth direction of the Woods-Saxon quantum well and the magnetic field is oriented perpendicularly. To calculate the energy and the wave functions of the electron in the Woods-Saxon quantum well, the effective mass approximation and the method of envelope wave function are used. The confinement in the Woods-Saxon quantum well is changed drastically by the application of intense laser field or either the effect of electric and magnetic fields. The optical properties are calculated using the compact density matrix.

  6. Sensitivity analysis of periodic errors in heterodyne interferometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ganguly, Vasishta; Kim, Nam Ho; Kim, Hyo Soo; Schmitz, Tony

    2011-03-01

    Periodic errors in heterodyne displacement measuring interferometry occur due to frequency mixing in the interferometer. These nonlinearities are typically characterized as first- and second-order periodic errors which cause a cyclical (non-cumulative) variation in the reported displacement about the true value. This study implements an existing analytical periodic error model in order to identify sensitivities of the first- and second-order periodic errors to the input parameters, including rotational misalignments of the polarizing beam splitter and mixing polarizer, non-orthogonality of the two laser frequencies, ellipticity in the polarizations of the two laser beams, and different transmission coefficients in the polarizing beam splitter. A local sensitivity analysis is first conducted to examine the sensitivities of the periodic errors with respect to each input parameter about the nominal input values. Next, a variance-based approach is used to study the global sensitivities of the periodic errors by calculating the Sobol' sensitivity indices using Monte Carlo simulation. The effect of variation in the input uncertainty on the computed sensitivity indices is examined. It is seen that the first-order periodic error is highly sensitive to non-orthogonality of the two linearly polarized laser frequencies, while the second-order error is most sensitive to the rotational misalignment between the laser beams and the polarizing beam splitter. A particle swarm optimization technique is finally used to predict the possible setup imperfections based on experimentally generated values for periodic errors.

  7. High Frequency Sampling of TTL Pulses on a Raspberry Pi for Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy Applications.

    PubMed

    Tivnan, Matthew; Gurjar, Rajan; Wolf, David E; Vishwanath, Karthik

    2015-08-12

    Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) is a well-established optical technique that has been used for non-invasive measurement of blood flow in tissues. Instrumentation for DCS includes a correlation device that computes the temporal intensity autocorrelation of a coherent laser source after it has undergone diffuse scattering through a turbid medium. Typically, the signal acquisition and its autocorrelation are performed by a correlation board. These boards have dedicated hardware to acquire and compute intensity autocorrelations of rapidly varying input signal and usually are quite expensive. Here we show that a Raspberry Pi minicomputer can acquire and store a rapidly varying time-signal with high fidelity. We show that this signal collected by a Raspberry Pi device can be processed numerically to yield intensity autocorrelations well suited for DCS applications. DCS measurements made using the Raspberry Pi device were compared to those acquired using a commercial hardware autocorrelation board to investigate the stability, performance, and accuracy of the data acquired in controlled experiments. This paper represents a first step toward lowering the instrumentation cost of a DCS system and may offer the potential to make DCS become more widely used in biomedical applications.

  8. High Frequency Sampling of TTL Pulses on a Raspberry Pi for Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy Applications

    PubMed Central

    Tivnan, Matthew; Gurjar, Rajan; Wolf, David E.; Vishwanath, Karthik

    2015-01-01

    Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) is a well-established optical technique that has been used for non-invasive measurement of blood flow in tissues. Instrumentation for DCS includes a correlation device that computes the temporal intensity autocorrelation of a coherent laser source after it has undergone diffuse scattering through a turbid medium. Typically, the signal acquisition and its autocorrelation are performed by a correlation board. These boards have dedicated hardware to acquire and compute intensity autocorrelations of rapidly varying input signal and usually are quite expensive. Here we show that a Raspberry Pi minicomputer can acquire and store a rapidly varying time-signal with high fidelity. We show that this signal collected by a Raspberry Pi device can be processed numerically to yield intensity autocorrelations well suited for DCS applications. DCS measurements made using the Raspberry Pi device were compared to those acquired using a commercial hardware autocorrelation board to investigate the stability, performance, and accuracy of the data acquired in controlled experiments. This paper represents a first step toward lowering the instrumentation cost of a DCS system and may offer the potential to make DCS become more widely used in biomedical applications. PMID:26274961

  9. Femtosecond dynamics of energetic electrons in high intensity laser-matter interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pompili, R.; Anania, M. P.; Bisesto, F.; Botton, M.; Castellano, M.; Chiadroni, E.; Cianchi, A.; Curcio, A.; Ferrario, M.; Galletti, M.; Henis, Z.; Petrarca, M.; Schleifer, E.; Zigler, A.

    2016-10-01

    Highly energetic electrons are generated at the early phases of the interaction of short-pulse high-intensity lasers with solid targets. These escaping particles are identified as the essential core of picosecond-scale phenomena such as laser-based acceleration, surface manipulation, generation of intense magnetic fields and electromagnetic pulses. Increasing the number of the escaping electrons facilitate the late time processes in all cases. Up to now only indirect evidences of these important forerunners have been recorded, thus no detailed study of the governing mechanisms was possible. Here we report, for the first time, direct time-dependent measurements of energetic electrons ejected from solid targets by the interaction with a short-pulse high-intensity laser. We measured electron bunches up to 7 nanocoulombs charge, picosecond duration and 12 megaelectronvolts energy. Our ’snapshots’ capture their evolution with an unprecedented temporal resolution, demonstrat- ing a significant boost in charge and energy of escaping electrons when increasing the geometrical target curvature. These results pave the way toward significant improvement in laser acceleration of ions using shaped targets allowing the future development of small scale laser-ion accelerators.

  10. Quasi-matched propagation of an ultrashort and intense laser pulse in a plasma channel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benedetti, Carlo; Schroeder, Carl; Esarey, Eric; Leemans, Wim

    2011-10-01

    The propagation of an ultrashort and relativistically-intense laser pulse in a preformed parabolic plasma channel is investigated. The nonlinear paraxial wave equation is solved both analytically and numerically. Numerical solutions are obtained using the 2D cylindrical, envelope, ponderomotive, hybrid PIC/fluid code INF&RNO, recently developed at LBNL. For an arbitrary laser pulse profile with a given power for each longitudinal slice (less then the critical power for self-focusing), we determine the laser intensity distribution ensuring matched propagation in the channel, neglecting non-paraxial effects (self-steepening, red-shifting, etc.). Similarly, in the case of a Gaussian pulse profile, we determine the optimal channel depth yielding a quasi-matched laser propagation, including the plasma density modification induced by the laser-pulse. The analytical results obtained for both cases in the weakly-relativistic intensity regime are presented and validated through comparison with numerical simulations. Work supported by the Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

  11. Diffraction effects in mechanically chopped laser pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gambhir, Samridhi; Singh, Mandip

    2018-06-01

    A mechanical beam chopper consists of a rotating disc of regularly spaced wide slits which allow light to pass through them. A continuous light beam, after passing through the rotating disc, is switched-on and switched-off periodically, and a series of optical pulses are produced. The intensity of each pulse is expected to rise and fall smoothly with time. However, a careful study has revealed that the edges of mechanically chopped laser light pulses consist of periodic intensity undulations which can be detected with a photo detector. In this paper, it is shown that the intensity undulations in mechanically chopped laser pulses are produced by diffraction of light from the rotating disc, and a detailed explanation is given of the intensity undulations in mechanically chopped laser pulses. An experiment presented in this paper provides an efficient method to capture a one dimensional diffraction profile of light from a straight sharp-edge in the time domain. In addition, the experiment accurately measures wavelengths of three different laser beams from the undulations in mechanically chopped laser light pulses.

  12. Spectrum and Angular Distribution of γ-rays from Radiative Damping in Extremely Relativistic Laser-Plasma Interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pandit, Rishi; Sentoku, Yasuhiko

    2013-10-01

    Effects of the radiative damping in the interaction of extremely intense laser (> 1022 W/cm2) with dense plasma is studied via a relativistic collisional particle-in-cell simulation, PICLS. When the laser intensity is getting close to 1024 W/cm2, the effect of quantum electrodynamics (QED) appears. We had calculated γ-rays from the radiative damping processes based on the classical model [1], but had taken into account the QED effect [2] in the spectrum calculation. In ultra-intense laser-plasma interaction, electrons are accelerated by the strong laser fields and emit γ-ray photons mainly via two processes, namely, Bremsstrahlung and radiative damping. Such relativistic γ-ray has wide range of frequencies and the angular distribution depends on the hot electron source. Comparing the details of γ-rays from the Bremsstrahlung and the radiative damping in simulations, we will discuss the laser parameters and the target conditions (geometry and material) to distinguish the photons from each process and also the QED effect in the γ-rays spectrum at the extremely relativistic intensity. Supported by US DOE DE-SC0008827.

  13. Laser isotope separation by multiple photon absorption

    DOEpatents

    Robinson, C.P.; Rockwood, S.D.; Jensen, R.J.; Lyman, J.L.; Aldridge, J.P. III.

    1987-04-07

    Multiple photon absorption from an intense beam of infrared laser light may be used to induce selective chemical reactions in molecular species which result in isotope separation or enrichment. The molecular species must have a sufficient density of vibrational states in its vibrational manifold that, is the presence of sufficiently intense infrared laser light tuned to selectively excite only those molecules containing a particular isotope, multiple photon absorption can occur. By this technique, for example, intense CO[sub 2] laser light may be used to highly enrich [sup 34]S in natural SF[sub 6] and [sup 11]B in natural BCl[sub 3]. 8 figs.

  14. Peak intensity measurement of relativistic lasers via nonlinear Thomson scattering.

    PubMed

    Har-Shemesh, Omri; Di Piazza, Antonino

    2012-04-15

    The measurement of peak laser intensities exceeding 10(20) W/cm(2) is in general a very challenging task. We suggest a simple method to accurately measure such high intensities up to about 10(23) W/cm(2), by colliding a beam of ultrarelativistic electrons with the laser pulse. The method exploits the high directionality of the radiation emitted by ultrarelativistic electrons via nonlinear Thomson scattering. Initial electron energies well within the reach of laser wake-field accelerators are required, allowing in principle for an all-optical setup. Accuracies of the order of 10% are theoretically envisaged. © 2012 Optical Society of America

  15. Ablation characteristics of carbon-doped glycerol irradiated by a 1064 nm nanosecond pulse laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jing, QI; Siqi, ZHANG; Tian, LIANG; Ke, XIAO; Weichong, TANG; Zhiyuan, ZHENG

    2018-03-01

    The ablation characteristics of carbon-doped glycerol were investigated in laser plasma propulsion using a pulse laser with 10 ns pulse width and 1064 nm wavelength. The results showed that with the incident laser intensity increasing, the target momentum decreased. Results still indicated that the strong plasma shielded the consumption loss and resulted in a low coupling coefficient. Furthermore, the carbon-doping gave rise to variations in the laser focal position and laser intensity, which in turn reduced the glycerol splashing. Based on the glycerol viscosity and the carbon doping, a high specific impulse is anticipated.

  16. Influence of e-e+ creation on the radiative trapping in ultraintense fields of colliding laser pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baumann, C.; Pukhov, A.

    2016-12-01

    The behavior of a thin plasma target irradiated by two counterpropagating laser pulses of ultrahigh intensity is studied in the framework of one- and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. It is found that above an intensity threshold, radiative trapping can focus electrons in the peaks of the electromagnetic field. At even higher intensities, the trapping effect cannot be maintained according to the increasing influence of electron-positron pair production on the laser-plasma dynamics.

  17. Application of Time-Resolved Spectroscopies to the Study of Energetic Materials - 1982

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1983-05-24

    fluores- cence intensity as a function of UV pulse energy, for individual laser shots. The lower curve shows the UV + probe induced fluorescence... intensity as a function of UV pulse energy, for individual laser shots. The lower curve shows the UV + probe Induced fluorescence, at 1 ns delay...locked Nd:YAG Laser Pulse ", Appl. Phys. Lett 26, 501-503 (1975). 97 43. A. J. Campillo, V. H. Kollman and S. L. Shapiro, " Intensity Dependence of

  18. NRL 2003 Review

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2003-06-01

    Sadananda, R.L. Holtz, and A.K. Vasudevan 59 Filamentation and Propagation of Ultra-Short, Intense Laser Pulses in Air A.C. Ting, D.F. Gordon, C.K...This facility is made up of 56 laser beams and is single- pulsed (4-nanosecond pulse ). This facility provides intense radiation for studying inertial...Plasma Physics A state-of-the-art short- pulse (0.4 ps), high- intensity Table-Top Terawatt (T3) laser currently operates at 10 TW and 2 ¥ 1019 W/cm2 for

  19. PHYSICAL EFFECTS OCCURRING DURING GENERATION AND AMPLIFICATION OF LASER RADIATION: Nonlinear resonances of natural intensity fluctuations in a two-mode He-Ne/CH4 laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anishchenko, M. L.; Ermachenko, V. M.; Petrovskiĭ, V. N.; Protsenko, E. D.

    1989-02-01

    The influence of a nonlinear absorber (methane) on the natural intensity fluctuations in an He-Ne laser (λ = 3.39 μm) emitting two linearly and orthogonally polarized modes with a controlled intermode interaction was studied experimentally and theoretically for the first time. It was found that an intracavity methane cell increases appreciably the influence of the fluctuation sources on the natural intensity fluctuations.

  20. On the optimization, and the intensity dependence, of the excitation rate for the absorption of two-photons due to the direct permanent dipole moment excitation mechanism

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Meath, William J., E-mail: wmeath@uwo.ca

    2016-07-15

    A model two-level dipolar molecule, and the rotating wave approximation and perturbation theory, are used to investigate the optimization and the laser intensity dependence of the two-photon excitation rate via the direct permanent dipole mechanism. The rate is proportional to the square of the laser intensity I only for small intensities and times when perturbation theory is applicable. An improvement on perturbation theory is provided by a small time RWA result for the rate which is not proportional to I{sup 2}; rather it is proportional to the square of an effective intensity I{sub eff}. For each laser intensity the optimummore » RWA excitation rate as a function of time, for low intensities, is proportional to I, not I{sup 2}, and for high intensities it is proportional to I{sub eff}. For a given two-photon transition the laser-molecule coupling optimizes for an intensity I{sub max} which, for example, leads to a maximum possible excitation rate as a function of time. The validity of the RWA results of this paper, and the importance of including the effects of virtual excited states, are also discussed briefly.« less

  1. Negative response of HgCdTe photodiode induced by nanosecond laser pulse

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Zuodong; Zhang, Jianmin; Lin, Xinwei; Shao, Bibo; Yang, Pengling

    2017-05-01

    Photodetectors' behavior and mechanism of transient response are still not understood very well, especially under high photon injection. Most of the researches on this topic were carried out with ultra-short laser pulse, whose pulse width ranged from femtosecond scale to picosecond scale. However, in many applications the durations of incident light are in nanosecond order and the light intensities are strong. To investigate the transient response characteristics and mechanisms of narrow-bandgap photovoltaic detectors under short laser irradiation, we performed an experiment on HgCdTe photodiodes. The n+-on-p type HgCdTe photodiodes in the experiment were designed to work in spectrum from 1.0μm to 3.0μm, with conditions of zero bias and room temperature. They were exposed to in-band short laser pulses with dwell time of 20 nanosecond. When the intensity of incident laser beam rose to 0.1J/cm2 order, the photodiodes' response characteristics turned to be bipolar from unipolar. A much longer negative response with duration of about 10μs to 100μs followed the positive light response. The amplitude of the negative response increased with the laser intensity, while the dwell time of positive response decreased with the laser intensity. Considering the response characteristics and the device structure, it is proposed that the negative response was caused by space charge effect at the electrodes. Under intense laser irradiation, a temperature gradient formed in the HgCdTe material. Due to the temperature gradient, the majority carriers diffused away from upper surface and left space charge at the electrodes. Then negative response voltage could be measured in the external circuit. With higher incident laser intensity, the degree of the space charge effect would become higher, and then the negative response would come earlier and show larger amplitude.

  2. Phase-matching of attosecond XUV supercontinuum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gilbertson, Steve; Mashiko, Hiroki; Li, Chengquan; Khan, Sabih; Shakya, Mahendra; Moon, Eric; Chang, Zenghu

    2008-05-01

    Adding a weak second harmonic field to an ellipticity dependent polarization gating field allowed for the production of XUV supercontinua from longer (˜10 fs) input pulses in argon. The spectra support 200 as single isolated pulses. This technique, dubbed double optical gating (DOG), demonstrated a large enhancement of the harmonic yield as compared with polarization gating. These results can be attributed to the reduced depletion of the ground state of the target from the leading edge of the pulse and the increased intensity inside the polarization gate width. Through optimization of the harmonic generation process under the phase matching conditions, we were able to further increase the harmonic flux. The parameters included the target gas pressure, laser focus position, input pulse duration, and polarization gate width. By varying the CE phase of the pulse, we were able to verify that the results were indeed from DOG due to its unique 2 pi dependence on the harmonic spectrum. We were able to extend our results to neon. Its higher ionization potential allowed an extension of the harmonic cutoff for the production of even shorter pulses.

  3. Estimating soft tissue thickness from light-tissue interactions––a simulation study

    PubMed Central

    Wissel, Tobias; Bruder, Ralf; Schweikard, Achim; Ernst, Floris

    2013-01-01

    Immobilization and marker-based motion tracking in radiation therapy often cause decreased patient comfort. However, the more comfortable alternative of optical surface tracking is highly inaccurate due to missing point-to-point correspondences between subsequent point clouds as well as elastic deformation of soft tissue. In this study, we present a proof of concept for measuring subcutaneous features with a laser scanner setup focusing on the skin thickness as additional input for high accuracy optical surface tracking. Using Monte-Carlo simulations for multi-layered tissue, we show that informative features can be extracted from the simulated tissue reflection by integrating intensities within concentric ROIs around the laser spot center. Training a regression model with a simulated data set identifies patterns that allow for predicting skin thickness with a root mean square error of down to 18 µm. Different approaches to compensate for varying observation angles were shown to yield errors still below 90 µm. Finally, this initial study provides a very promising proof of concept and encourages research towards a practical prototype. PMID:23847741

  4. Plasma-based beam combiner for very high fluence and energy

    DOE PAGES

    Kirkwood, R. K.; Turnbull, D. P.; Chapman, T.; ...

    2017-10-02

    Extreme optical fluences, much beyond the damage threshold of conventional optics, are of interest for a range of high-energy-density physics applications. Nonlinear interactions of multiple beams in plasmas have the potential to produce optics that operate at much higher intensity and fluence than is possible in solids. In inertial confinement fusion experiments indirectly driven with lasers, many beams overlap in the plasma inside a hohlraum, and cross-beam energy transfer by Brillouin scattering has been employed to redistribute energy between laser beams within the target. Here in this paper, we show that in a hot, under-dense plasma the energy of manymore » input beams can be combined into a single well-collimated beam. The emerging beam has an energy of 4 kJ (over 1 ns) that is more than triple that of any incident beam, and a fluence that is more than double. Because the optic produced is plasma, and is diffractive, it is inherently capable of generating higher fluences in a single beam than solid-state refractive or reflective optics.« less

  5. Hollow screw-like drill in plasma using an intense Laguerre-Gaussian laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Wenpeng; Shen, Baifei; Zhang, Xiaomei; Zhang, Lingang; Shi, Yin; Xu, Zhizhan

    2015-02-01

    With the development of ultra-intense laser technology, MeV ions can be obtained from laser-foil interactions in the laboratory. These energetic ion beams can be applied in fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion, medical therapy, and proton imaging. However, these ions are mainly accelerated in the laser propagation direction. Ion acceleration in an azimuthal orientation was scarcely studied. In this research, a doughnut Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) laser is used for the first time to examine laser-plasma interaction in the relativistic intensity regime in three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Studies have shown that a novel rotation of the plasma is produced from the hollow screw-like drill of an mode laser. The angular momentum of particles in the longitudinal direction produced by the LG laser is enhanced compared with that produced by the usual laser pulses, such as linearly and circularly polarized Gaussian pulses. Moreover, the particles (including electrons and ions) can be trapped and uniformly compressed in the dark central minimum of the doughnut LG pulse. The hollow-structured LG laser has potential applications in the generation of x-rays with orbital angular momentum, plasma accelerators, fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion, and pulsars in the astrophysical environment.

  6. Hollow screw-like drill in plasma using an intense Laguerre-Gaussian laser.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wenpeng; Shen, Baifei; Zhang, Xiaomei; Zhang, Lingang; Shi, Yin; Xu, Zhizhan

    2015-02-05

    With the development of ultra-intense laser technology, MeV ions can be obtained from laser-foil interactions in the laboratory. These energetic ion beams can be applied in fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion, medical therapy, and proton imaging. However, these ions are mainly accelerated in the laser propagation direction. Ion acceleration in an azimuthal orientation was scarcely studied. In this research, a doughnut Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) laser is used for the first time to examine laser-plasma interaction in the relativistic intensity regime in three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Studies have shown that a novel rotation of the plasma is produced from the hollow screw-like drill of an mode laser. The angular momentum of particles in the longitudinal direction produced by the LG laser is enhanced compared with that produced by the usual laser pulses, such as linearly and circularly polarized Gaussian pulses. Moreover, the particles (including electrons and ions) can be trapped and uniformly compressed in the dark central minimum of the doughnut LG pulse. The hollow-structured LG laser has potential applications in the generation of x-rays with orbital angular momentum, plasma accelerators, fast ignition for inertial confinement fusion, and pulsars in the astrophysical environment.

  7. Raman intensity as a probe of concentration near a crystal growing in solution

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilkinson, R. Allen

    1989-01-01

    The feasibility of using Raman spectral scattering signals for measurements of concentration profiles near a crystal interface during growth or dissolution is discussed. With KH2PO4 (KDP) as a test material, optical multichannel analyzer (OMA) detection of a solute Raman vibrational band provided direct quantification of solute concentration with band intensity. The intersection of incident laser and Raman collection optics provided 3-D selective point measurements of the solution concentration field. Unlike many other techniques, the Raman band intensity is not sensitive to the typical temperature variations. Precision calibration of Raman intensity versus KDP concentration with less than 1 pct standard deviation error levels was demonstrated. A fiber optic, which sampled incident laser intensity and coupled it to the OMA, provided a fully synchronized monitor of fluctuations in laser power to correlate with observed Raman signals. With 1 W of laser power at the sample, good data statistics required eight repeated data collections at approximately 2.5 min collection. The accumulated time represents the concentration measurement time at one spatial location. Photomicroscopy documented a 30 micrometer diameter by 200 micrometer of laser Raman scattering region in the solution near the crystal surface. The laser beam was able to approach up to 25 micrometer from the crystal surface. However, a crystal surface reflected intensity contribution was weakly detectable. Nucleated microcrystals were seen in the crystal-growing solution. These microcrystals convect right up to the crystal surface and indicate no quiet diffusion region under normal gravity conditions. Translation of the solution cell with respect to the optics caused systematic intensity errors.

  8. Laser methods of caries prophylaxis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kunin, Anatoly A.; Dergunova, Elvira I.; Kazmina, Svetlana G.

    1996-01-01

    Low intensive laser irradiation is widely used for the treatment of many stomatological diseases. The caries static activity of HNL light and infrared lasers, its influence on the activation of microcirculation of the pulp enzyme system and on the increase of enamel permeability became clear. These data allow us to suppose that the low intensive laser irradiation may potent the activity of the initial caries by the increase of teeth stability to the factors provoking the caries.

  9. Target charging in short-pulse-laser-plasma experiments.

    PubMed

    Dubois, J-L; Lubrano-Lavaderci, F; Raffestin, D; Ribolzi, J; Gazave, J; Compant La Fontaine, A; d'Humières, E; Hulin, S; Nicolaï, Ph; Poyé, A; Tikhonchuk, V T

    2014-01-01

    Interaction of high-intensity laser pulses with solid targets results in generation of large quantities of energetic electrons that are the origin of various effects such as intense x-ray emission, ion acceleration, and so on. Some of these electrons are escaping the target, leaving behind a significant positive electric charge and creating a strong electromagnetic pulse long after the end of the laser pulse. We propose here a detailed model of the target electric polarization induced by a short and intense laser pulse and an escaping electron bunch. A specially designed experiment provides direct measurements of the target polarization and the discharge current in the function of the laser energy, pulse duration, and target size. Large-scale numerical simulations describe the energetic electron generation and their emission from the target. The model, experiment, and numerical simulations demonstrate that the hot-electron ejection may continue long after the laser pulse ends, enhancing significantly the polarization charge.

  10. Comparative study of pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of AISI 304 and AISI 316 stainless steels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Nikhil; Mukherjee, Manidipto; Bandyopadhyay, Asish

    2017-02-01

    Laser welding is a potentially useful technique for joining two pieces of similar or dissimilar materials with high precision. In the present work, comparative studies on laser welding of similar metal of AISI 304SS and AISI 316SS have been conducted forming butt joints. A robotic control 600 W pulsed Nd:YAG laser source has been used for welding purpose. The effects of laser power, scanning speed and pulse width on the ultimate tensile strength and weld width have been investigated using the empirical models developed by RSM. The results of ANOVA indicate that the developed models predict the responses adequately within the limits of input parameters. 3-D response surface and contour plots have been developed to find out the combined effects of input parameters on responses. Furthermore, microstructural analysis as well as hardness and tensile behavior of the selected weld of 304SS and 316SS have been carried out to understand the metallurgical and mechanical behavior of the weld. The selection criteria are based on the maximum and minimum strength achieved by the respective weld. It has been observed that the current pulsation, base metal composition and variation in heat input have significant influence on controlling the microstructural constituents (i.e. phase fraction, grain size etc.). The result suggests that the low energy input pulsation generally produce fine grain structure and improved mechanical properties than the high energy input pulsation irrespective of base material composition. However, among the base materials, 304SS depict better microstructural and mechanical properties than the 316SS for a given parametric condition. Finally, desirability function analysis has been applied for multi-objective optimization for maximization of ultimate tensile strength and minimization of weld width simultaneously. Confirmatory tests have been conducted at optimum parametric conditions to validate the optimization techniques.

  11. An investigation on capability of hybrid Nd:YAG laser-TIG welding technology for AA2198 Al-Li alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Faraji, Amir Hosein; Moradi, Mahmoud; Goodarzi, Massoud; Colucci, Pietro; Maletta, Carmine

    2017-09-01

    This paper surveys the capability of the hybrid laser-arc welding in comparison with lone laser welding for AA2198 aluminum alloy experimentally. In the present research, a continuous Nd:YAG laser with a maximum power of 2000 W and a 350 A electric arc were used as two combined welding heat sources. In addition to the lone laser welding experiments, two strategies were examined for hybrid welding; the first one was low laser power (100 W) accompanied by high arc energy, and the second one was high laser power (2000 W) with low arc energy. Welding speed and arc current varied in the experiments. The influence of heat input on weld pool geometry was surveyed. The macrosection, microhardness profile and microstructure of the welded joints were studied and compared. The results indicated that in lone laser welding, conduction mode occurred and keyhole was not formed even in low welding speeds and thus the penetration depth was so low. It was also found that the second approach (high laser power accompanied with low arc energy) is superior to the first one (low laser power accompanied with high arc energy) in hybrid laser-arc welding of Al2198, since lower heat input was needed for full penetration weld and as a result a smaller HAZ was created.

  12. Investigation on laser-plasma coupling in intense, ultrashort irradiation of a nanostructured silicon target

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cristoforetti, G.; Anzalone, A.; Baffigi, F.; Bussolino, G.; D'Arrigo, G.; Fulgentini, L.; Giulietti, A.; Koester, P.; Labate, L.; Tudisco, S.; Gizzi, L. A.

    2014-09-01

    One of the most interesting research fields in laser-matter interaction studies is the investigation of effects and mechanisms produced by nano- or micro-structured targets, mainly devoted to the enhancing of laser-target or laser-plasma coupling. In intense and ultra-intense laser interaction regimes, the observed enhancement of x-ray plasma emission and/or hot electron conversion efficiency is explained by a variety of mechanisms depending on the dimensions and shape of the structures irradiated. In the present work, the attention is mainly focused on the lowering of the plasma formation threshold which is induced by the larger absorptivity. Flat and nanostructured silicon targets were here irradiated with an ultrashort laser pulse, in the range 1 × 1017-2 × 1018 W µm2 cm-2. The effects of structures on laser-plasma coupling were investigated at different laser pulse polarizations, by utilizing x-ray yield and 3/2ω harmonics emission. While the measured enhancement of x-ray emission is negligible at intensities larger than 1018 W µm2 cm-2, due to the destruction of the structures by the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) pre-pulse, a dramatic enhancement, strongly dependent on pulse polarization, was observed at intensities lower than ˜3.5 × 1017 W µm2 cm-2. Relying on the three-halves harmonic emission and on the non-isotropic character of the x-ray yield, induced by the two-plasmon decay instability, the results are explained by the significant lowering of the plasma threshold produced by the nanostructures. In this view, the strong x-ray enhancement obtained by s-polarized pulses is produced by the interaction of the laser pulse with the preplasma, resulting from the interaction of the ASE pedestal with the nanostructures.

  13. Spectroscopic study of gold nanoparticle formation through high intensity laser irradiation of solution

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nakamura, Takahiro, E-mail: nakamu@tagen.tohoku.ac.jp; Sato, Shunichi; Herbani, Yuliati

    A spectroscopic study of the gold nanoparticle (NP) formation by high-intensity femtosecond laser irradiation of a gold ion solution was reported. The effect of varying energy density of the laser on the formation of gold NPs was also investigated. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of the gold nanocolloid in real-time UV-visible absorption spectra during laser irradiation showed a distinctive progress; the SPR absorption peak intensity increased after a certain irradiation time, reached a maximum and then gradually decreased. During this absorption variation, at the same time, the peak wavelength changed from 530 to 507 nm. According to an empiricalmore » equation derived from a large volume of experimental data, the estimated mean size of the gold NPs varied from 43.4 to 3.2 nm during the laser irradiation. The mean size of gold NPs formed at specific irradiation times by transmission electron microscopy showed the similar trend as that obtained in the spectroscopic analysis. From these observations, the formation mechanism of gold NPs during laser irradiation was considered to have two steps. The first is a reduction of gold ions by reactive species produced through a non-linear reaction during high intensity laser irradiation of the solution; the second is the laser fragmentation of produced gold particles into smaller pieces. The gold nanocolloid produced after the fragmentation by excess irradiation showed high stability for at least a week without the addition of any dispersant because of the negative charge on the surface of the nanoparticles probably due to the surface oxidation of gold nanoparticles. A higher laser intensity resulted in a higher efficiency of gold NPs fabrication, which was attributed to a larger effective volume of the reaction.« less

  14. Multiple excitation regenerative amplifier inertial confinement system

    DOEpatents

    George, V.E.; Haas, R.A.; Krupke, W.F.; Schlitt, L.G.

    1980-05-27

    The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing high intensity laser radiation generation which is achieved through an optical amplifier-storage ring design. One or two synchronized, counterpropagating laser pulses are injected into a regenerative amplifier cavity and amplified by gain media which are pumped repetitively by electrical or optical means. The gain media excitation pulses are tailored to efficiently amplify the laser pulses during each transit. After the laser pulses have been amplified to the desired intensity level, they are either switched out of the cavity by some switch means, as for example an electro-optical device, for any well known laser end uses, or a target means may be injected into the regenerative amplifier cavity in such a way as to intercept simultaneously the counterpropagating laser pulses. One such well known end uses to which this invention is intended is for production of high density and temperature plasmas suitable for generating neutrons, ions and x-rays and for studying matter heated by high intensity laser radiation. 11 figs.

  15. Multiple excitation regenerative amplifier inertial confinement system

    DOEpatents

    George, Victor E. [Livermore, CA; Haas, Roger A. [Pleasanton, CA; Krupke, William F. [Pleasanton, CA; Schlitt, Leland G. [Livermore, CA

    1980-05-27

    The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing high intensity laser radiation generation which is achieved through an optical amplifier-storage ring design. One or two synchronized, counterpropagating laser pulses are injected into a regenerative amplifier cavity and amplified by gain media which are pumped repetitively by electrical or optical means. The gain media excitation pulses are tailored to efficiently amplify the laser pulses during each transit. After the laser pulses have been amplified to the desired intensity level, they are either switched out of the cavity by some switch means, as for example an electro-optical device, for any well known laser end uses, or a target means may be injected into the regenerative amplifier cavity in such a way as to intercept simultaneously the counterpropagating laser pulses. One such well known end uses to which this invention is intended is for production of high density and temperature plasmas suitable for generating neutrons, ions and x-rays and for studying matter heated by high intensity laser radiation.

  16. Electron dynamics characteristics in high-intensity laser fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kong, Q.; Ho, Y. K.; Cao, N.; Pang, J.; Wang, P. X.; Shao, L.

    This paper addresses the conditions under which the vacuum laser acceleration scheme CAS (capture and acceleration scenario), newly proposed by the authors (see, e.g., P.X. Wang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 78, 2253 (2001)), can be observed. Specifically, the laser intensity threshold (a0)th and the range of the electron incident momentum for the CAS scheme to emerge are examined. We found that (a0)th is critically dependent on the laser beam width w0. At kw0=60, (a0)th=8, which is an intensity obtainable using present laser systems. The required energy of the incident electron is in the range 5-15 MeV. This study is of significance in designing an experimental setup to test CAS and helpful in understanding the basic physics of CAS.

  17. Orientation of ripples induced by ultrafast laser pulses on copper in different liquids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maragkaki, Stella; Elkalash, Abdallah; Gurevich, Evgeny L.

    2017-12-01

    Formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS or ripples) was studied on a metallic surface of polished copper using irradiation with multiple femtosecond laser pulses in different environmental conditions (air, water, ethanol and methanol). Uniform LIPSS have been achieved by controlling the peak fluence and the overlapping rate. Ripples in both orientations, perpendicular and parallel to laser polarization, were observed in all liquids simultaneously. The orientation of these ripples in the center of the ablated line was changing with the incident light intensity. For low intensities the orientation of the ripples is perpendicular to the laser polarization, whereas for high intensities it turns parallel to it without considerable changes in the period. Multi-directional LIPSS formation was also observed for moderate peak fluence in liquid environments.

  18. Shock-wave proton acceleration from a hydrogen gas jet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cook, Nathan; Pogorelsky, Igor; Polyanskiy, Mikhail; Babzien, Marcus; Tresca, Olivier; Maharjan, Chakra; Shkolnikov, Peter; Yakimenko, Vitaly

    2013-04-01

    Typical laser acceleration experiments probe the interaction of intense linearly-polarized solid state laser pulses with dense metal targets. This interaction generates strong electric fields via Transverse Normal Sheath Acceleration and can accelerate protons to high peak energies but with a large thermal spectrum. Recently, the advancement of high pressure amplified CO2 laser technology has allowed for the creation of intense (10^16 Wcm^2) pulses at λ˜10 μm. These pulses may interact with reproducible, high rep. rate gas jet targets and still produce plasmas of critical density (nc˜10^19 cm-3), leading to the transference of laser energy via radiation pressure. This acceleration mode has the advantage of producing narrow energy spectra while scaling well with pulse intensity. We observe the interaction of an intense CO2 laser pulse with an overdense hydrogen gas jet. Using two pulse optical probing in conjunction with interferometry, we are able to obtain density profiles of the plasma. Proton energy spectra are obtained using a magnetic spectrometer and scintillating screen.

  19. Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons.

    PubMed

    Nakatsutsumi, M; Sentoku, Y; Korzhimanov, A; Chen, S N; Buffechoux, S; Kon, A; Atherton, B; Audebert, P; Geissel, M; Hurd, L; Kimmel, M; Rambo, P; Schollmeier, M; Schwarz, J; Starodubtsev, M; Gremillet, L; Kodama, R; Fuchs, J

    2018-01-18

    High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the target surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~10 5  T at laser intensities ~10 21  W cm -2 ) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire.

  20. Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons

    DOE PAGES

    Nakatsutsumi, M.; Sentoku, Y.; Korzhimanov, A.; ...

    2018-01-18

    High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the targetmore » surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~10 5 T at laser intensities ~10 21 W cm –2) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire.« less

  1. James Clerk Maxwell Prize Address: High Intensity Laser Propagation and Interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sprangle, Phillip

    2013-10-01

    High intensity laser radiation sources cover a wide range of parameters, e.g., peak powers from tera to peta watts, pulse lengths from pico to femto seconds, repetition rates ranging from kilo to mega hertz and average powers of many tens of watts. This talk will cover, among other things, some of the unique physical processes which result when high intensity laser radiation interacts with gases and plasmas. One of the interesting topics to be discussed is the propagation of these laser pulses in a turbulent atmosphere which results in a multitude of coupled linear and nonlinear processes including filamentation and scintillation. Phase conjugation techniques to reduce the effects of atmospheric turbulence (scintillation) will be described. This talk will also discuss a range of potential applications of these high intensity lasers, including: electron acceleration in spatially periodic and tapered plasma channels, detection of radioactive material using electromagnetic signatures, atmospheric lasing of N2 molecules, as well as incoherent and coherent x-ray generation mechanisms. Research supported by NRL, ONR and UMD.

  2. Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nakatsutsumi, M.; Sentoku, Y.; Korzhimanov, A.

    High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the targetmore » surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~10 5 T at laser intensities ~10 21 W cm –2) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire.« less

  3. Intra-pulse transition between ion acceleration mechanisms in intense laser-foil interactions

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Padda, H.; King, M.; Gray, R. J.

    Multiple ion acceleration mechanisms can occur when an ultrathin foil is irradiated with an intense laser pulse, with the dominant mechanism changing over the course of the interaction. Measurement of the spatial-intensity distribution of the beam of energetic protons is used to investigate the transition from radiation pressure acceleration to transparency-driven processes. It is shown numerically that radiation pressure drives an increased expansion of the target ions within the spatial extent of the laser focal spot, which induces a radial deflection of relatively low energy sheath-accelerated protons to form an annular distribution. Through variation of the target foil thickness, themore » opening angle of the ring is shown to be correlated to the point in time transparency occurs during the interaction and is maximized when it occurs at the peak of the laser intensity profile. Corresponding experimental measurements of the ring size variation with target thickness exhibit the same trends and provide insight into the intra-pulse laser-plasma evolution.« less

  4. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Wentao; Liu, Jiansheng, E-mail: michaeljs-liu@siom.ac.cn; Wang, Wentao

    An electron beam with the maximum energy extending up to 1.8 GeV, much higher than the dephasing limit, is experimentally obtained in the laser wakefield acceleration with the plasma density of 3.5 × 10{sup 18} cm{sup −3}. With particle in cell simulations and theoretical analysis, we find that the laser intensity evolution plays a major role in the enhancement of the electron energy gain. While the bubble length decreases due to the intensity-decay of the laser pulse, the phase of the electron beam in the wakefield can be locked, which contributes to the overcoming of the dephasing. Moreover, the laser intensity evolution is describedmore » for the phase-lock acceleration of electrons in the uniform plasma, confirmed with our own simulation. Since the decaying of the intensity is unavoidable in the long distance propagation due to the pump depletion, the energy gain of the high energy laser wakefield accelerator can be greatly enhanced if the current process is exploited.« less

  5. Myocardium tissue ablation with high-peak-power nanosecond 1,064- and 532-nm pulsed lasers: influence of laser-induced plasma.

    PubMed

    Ogura, Makoto; Sato, Shunichi; Ishihara, Miya; Kawauchi, Satoko; Arai, Tunenori; Matsui, Takemi; Kurita, Akira; Kikuchi, Makoto; Ashida, Hiroshi; Obara, Minoru

    2002-01-01

    We investigated the mechanism and characteristics of porcine myocardium tissue ablation in vitro with nanosecond 1,064- and 532-nm pulsed lasers at laser intensities up to approximately 5.0 GW/cm(2). Particular attention was paid to study the influence of the laser-induced plasma on the ablation characteristics. The applicability of these two lasers to transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) was discussed. Porcine myocardium tissue samples were irradiated with 1,064- and 532-nm, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser pulses, and the ablation depths were measured. The temporal profiles of the laser-induced optical emissions were measured with a biplanar phototube. For the ablated tissue samples, histological analysis was performed with an optical microscope and a polarization microscope. The ablation efficiency at 1,064 nm was higher than that at 532 nm. The ablation threshold at 1,064 nm (approximately 0.8 GW/cm(2)) was lower than that at 532 nm (approximately 1.6 GW/cm(2)), in spite of the lower absorption coefficient being expected at 1,064 nm. For the 1,064-nm laser-ablated tissues, thermal damage was very limited, while damage presumably caused by the mechanical effect was observed in most of the cases. For the 1,064-nm laser ablation, the ablation threshold was equal to the threshold of the laser-induced optical emission (approximately 0.8 GW/cm(2)), while for the 532-nm laser ablation, the optical emission threshold ( approximately 2.4 GW/cm(2)) was higher than the ablation threshold. We considered that for the 1,064-nm laser ablation, the tissue removal was achieved through a photodisruption process at laser intensities of > approximately 0.8 GW/cm(2). At laser intensities of > 3.0 GW/cm(2), however, the ablation efficiency decreased; this can be attributed to the absorption of incoming laser pulses by the plasma. For the 532-nm laser ablation, the tissue removal was achieved through a photothermal process at laser intensities of > approximately 1.6 GW/cm(2). At laser intensities of > 2.4 GW/cm(2), a photodisruption process may also contribute to the tissue removal, in addition to a photothermal process. With regard to the ablation rates, the 1,064-nm laser was more suitable for TMLR than the 532-nm laser. We concluded that the 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser would be a potential candidate for a laser source for TMLR because of possible fiber-based beam delivery, its compact structure, cost effectiveness, and easy maintenance. Animal trials, however, have to be carried out to evaluate the influence of the tissue damage. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  6. NIF Ignition Target 3D Point Design

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Jones, O; Marinak, M; Milovich, J

    2008-11-05

    We have developed an input file for running 3D NIF hohlraums that is optimized such that it can be run in 1-2 days on parallel computers. We have incorporated increasing levels of automation into the 3D input file: (1) Configuration controlled input files; (2) Common file for 2D and 3D, different types of capsules (symcap, etc.); and (3) Can obtain target dimensions, laser pulse, and diagnostics settings automatically from NIF Campaign Management Tool. Using 3D Hydra calculations to investigate different problems: (1) Intrinsic 3D asymmetry; (2) Tolerance to nonideal 3D effects (e.g. laser power balance, pointing errors); and (3) Syntheticmore » diagnostics.« less

  7. The effects of particle swarm optimization algorithm on volume ignition gain of Proton-Lithium (7) pellets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Livari, As. Ali; Malekynia, B.; Livari, Ak. A.; Khoda-Bakhsh, R.

    2017-11-01

    When it was found out that the ignition of nuclear fusion hinges upon input energy laser, the efforts in order to make giant lasers began, and energy gains of DT fuel were obtained. But due to the neutrons generation and emitted radioactivity from DT reaction, gains of fuels like Proton-Lithium (7) were also adverted. Therefore, making larger and powerful lasers was followed. Here, using new versions of particle swarm optimization algorithm, it will be shown that available maximum gain of Proton-Lithium (7) is reached only at energies about 1014 J, and not only the highest input energy is not helpful but the efficiency is also decreased.

  8. Free-space QKD system hacking by wavelength control using an external laser.

    PubMed

    Lee, Min Soo; Woo, Min Ki; Jung, Jisung; Kim, Yong-Su; Han, Sang-Wook; Moon, Sung

    2017-05-15

    We develop a way to hack free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) systems by changing the wavelength of the quantum signal laser using an external laser. Most free-space QKD systems use four distinct lasers for each polarization, thereby making the characteristics of each laser indistinguishable. We also discover a side-channel that can distinguish the lasers by using an external laser. Our hacking scheme identifies the lasers by automatically applying the external laser to each signal laser at different intensities and detecting the wavelength variation according to the amount of incident external laser power. We conduct a proof-of-principle experiment to verify the proposed hacking structure and confirm that the wavelength varies by several gigahertzes to several nanometers, depending on the intensity of the external laser. The risk of hacking is successfully proven through the experimental results. Methods for prevention are also suggested.

  9. Nano material processing with lasers in combination with nearfield technology

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dickmann, K.; Jersch, J.; Demming, F.

    1996-12-31

    Recent research work has shown, that focusing of laser radiation down to a few nanometer can be obtained by using lasers in combination with nearfield technology (known from Scanning Tunneling Microscope STM or Atomic Force Microscope AFM). Lateral external illumination of STM- or AFM-probe tips with laser radiation can cause tremendous intensity enhancement in the nearfield underneath the tip. This effect can be explained by various electrostatic as well as electrodynamic effects known from Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). This effect was utilized to concentrate laser radiation with high intensity between a tip and a substrate in the nearfield. FOLANT-techniquemore » (FOcusing of LAser radiation in the Nearfield of a Tip) enables intensity enhancement up to 10{sup 6} in a narrow localized zone underneath the tip. The interaction area with nanometer scale can be applied for material processing even down to atomic dimensions. Using STM-/ laser-combination, hillocks, pits and grooves with lateral dimensions down to 10 nm have been obtained on gold substrates. AFM-/ laser-combination enabled nanostructures down to 20 nm on dielectric materials as for example polycarbonate.« less

  10. Electron acceleration in combined intense laser fields and self-consistent quasistatic fields in plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiao, Bin; He, X. T.; Zhu, Shao-ping; Zheng, C. Y.

    2005-08-01

    The acceleration of plasma electron in intense laser-plasma interaction is investigated analytically and numerically, where the conjunct effect of laser fields and self-consistent spontaneous fields (including quasistatic electric field Esl, azimuthal quasistatic magnetic field Bsθ and the axial one Bsz) is completely considered for the first time. An analytical relativistic electron fluid model using test-particle method has been developed to give an explicit analysis about the effects of each quasistatic fields. The ponderomotive accelerating and scattering effects on electrons are partly offset by Esl, furthermore, Bsθ pinches and Bsz collimates electrons along the laser axis. The dependences of energy gain and scattering angle of electron on its initial radial position, plasma density, and laser intensity are, respectively, studied. The qualities of the relativistic electron beam (REB), such as energy spread, beam divergence, and emitting (scattering) angle, generated by both circularly polarized (CP) and linearly polarized (LP) lasers are studied. Results show CP laser is of clear advantage comparing to LP laser for it can generate a better REB in collimation and stabilization.

  11. Bichromatic random laser from a powder of rhodamine-doped sub-micrometer silica particles

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Barbosa-Silva, Renato; Silva, Andrea F.; Brito-Silva, Antonio M.

    2014-01-28

    We studied the random laser (RL) bichromatic emission (BCE) from a powder consisting of silica particles infiltrated with Rhodamine 640 (Rh640) molecules. The BCE is attributed to Rh640 monomers and dimers. Because of the efficient monomer-dimer energy transfer, we observed RL wavelength switching from ≈ 620 nm to ≈650 nm and the control of the emitted wavelength was made by changing only the excitation laser intensity. None of external parameters such as excitation laser spot size or radiation detector position was changed as in previous experiments. Two laser thresholds associated either to monomers or dimers were clearly observed. Moreover, an effect analogmore » to frequency-pulling among two coupled oscillators was identified measuring the RL spectra as a function of the excitation laser intensity. A wavelength shift, Δλ, was measured between the monomer and dimer resonance wavelengths, changing only the excitation laser intensity. The maximum value of Δλ ≈ 16 cm{sup −1} was obtained for laser pulses of 7 ns with 30 μJ.« less

  12. Coupling apparatus for a metal vapor laser

    DOEpatents

    Ball, D.G.; Miller, J.L.

    1993-02-23

    Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser is disclosed. The coupling apparatus provides for coupling high voltage pulses (approximately 40 KV) to a metal vapor laser with a high repetition rate (approximately 5 KHz). The coupling apparatus utilizes existing thyratron circuits and provides suitable power input to a large bore metal vapor laser while maintaining satisfactory operating lifetimes for the existing thyratron circuits.

  13. Coupling apparatus for a metal vapor laser

    DOEpatents

    Ball, Don G.; Miller, John L.

    1993-01-01

    Coupling apparatus for a large bore metal vapor laser is disclosed. The coupling apparatus provides for coupling high voltage pulses (approximately 40 KV) to a metal vapor laser with a high repetition rate (approximately 5 KHz). The coupling apparatus utilizes existing thyratron circuits and provides suitable power input to a large bore metal vapor laser while maintaining satisfactory operating lifetimes for the existing thyratron circuits.

  14. EFFECTS OF LASER RADIATION ON MATTER. LASER PLASMA: Microwave generation in an optical breakdown plasma created by modulated laser radiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Antipov, A. A.; Grasyuk, Arkadii Z.; Losev, Leonid L.; Soskov, V. I.

    1990-06-01

    It was established that when laser radiation, intensity modulated at a frequency of 2.2 GHz, interacted with an optical breakdown plasma which it had created, a microwave component appeared in the thermal emf of the plasma. The amplitude of the microwave thermal emf reached 0.7 V for a laser radiation intensity of 6 GW/cm2. Laser radiation with λL = 1.06 μm was converted to the microwave range with λmω = 13 cm in the optical breakdown plasma. A microwave signal power of ~ 0.5 W was obtained from a laser power of ~ 5 MW.

  15. Control of ultra-intense single attosecond pulse generation in laser-driven overdense plasmas.

    PubMed

    Liu, Qingcao; Xu, Yanxia; Qi, Xin; Zhao, Xiaoying; Ji, Liangliang; Yu, Tongpu; Wei, Luo; Yang, Lei; Hu, Bitao

    2013-12-30

    Ultra-intense single attosecond pulse (AP) can be obtained from circularly polarized (CP) laser interacting with overdense plasma. High harmonics are naturally generated in the reflected laser pulses due to the laser-induced one-time drastic oscillation of the plasma boundary. Using two-dimensional (2D) planar particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and analytical model, we show that multi-dimensional effects have great influence on the generation of AP. Self-focusing and defocusing phenomena occur in front of the compressed plasma boundary, which lead to the dispersion of the generated AP in the far field. We propose to control the reflected high harmonics by employing a density-modulated foil target (DMFT). When the target density distribution fits the laser intensity profile, the intensity of the attosecond pulse generated from the center part of the plasma has a flatten profile within the center range in the transverse direction. It is shown that a single 300 attosecond (1 as = 10(-18)s) pulse with the intensity of 1.4 × 10(21) W cm(-2) can be naturally generated. Further simulations reveal that the reflected high harmonics properties are highly related to the modulated density distribution and the phase offset between laser field and the carrier envelope. The emission direction of the AP generated from the plasma boundary can be controlled in a very wide range in front of the plasma surface by combining the DMFT and a suitable driving laser.

  16. Opto-injection into single living cells by femtosecond near-infrared laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peng, Cheng

    This dissertation presents a novel technique to deliver membrane impermeable molecules into single living cells with the assistance of femtosecond (fs) near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses. This approach merges ultrafast laser technology with key biological, biomedical, and medical applications, such as gene transfection, gene therapy and drug delivery. This technique promises several major advantages, namely, very high transfection efficiency, high cell survival rate (≈100%) and fully preserved cell viabilities. It is also a promising method to deliver molecules into cells that are difficult or even completely resistant to established physical methods, such as microinjection by glass pipettes, electroporation, and biolistics. In this work, the system for fs NIR opto-injection was designed and built. Successful fs NIR opto-injection has been performed on several cell systems including single mammalian cells (bovine aortic endothelial cells), marine animal eggs (Spisula solidissima oocytes), and human cancer cells (fibrosarcoma HT1080) cultured in a tissue-like environment. The connections between laser parameters and cell responses were explored through further experiments and in-depth analyses, especially the relationship between dye uptake rate and incident laser intensity, and the relationship between pore size created on cell membranes and incident laser intensity. Dye uptake rate of the target cells was observed to depend on incident laser intensity. Pore size was found dependent on incident laser intensity. The conclusion was made that laser-induced breakdown and plasma-induced ablation in cell membrane are the physical principles that govern the process of fs NIR opto-injection.

  17. The role of lasers and intense pulsed light technology in dermatology

    PubMed Central

    Husain, Zain; Alster, Tina S

    2016-01-01

    The role of light-based technologies in dermatology has expanded dramatically in recent years. Lasers and intense pulsed light have been used to safely and effectively treat a diverse array of cutaneous conditions, including vascular and pigmented lesions, tattoos, scars, and undesired hair, while also providing extensive therapeutic options for cosmetic rejuvenation and other dermatologic conditions. Dermatologic laser procedures are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and demand for them has fueled new innovations and clinical applications. These systems continue to evolve and provide enhanced therapeutic outcomes with improved safety profiles. This review highlights the important roles and varied clinical applications that lasers and intense pulsed light play in the dermatologic practice. PMID:26893574

  18. OCT imaging with temporal dispersion induced intense and short coherence laser source

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manna, Suman K.; le Gall, Stephen; Li, Guoqiang

    2016-10-01

    Lower coherence length and higher intensity are two indispensable requirements on the light source for high resolution and large penetration depth OCT imaging. While tremendous interest is being paid on engineering various laser sources to enlarge their bandwidth and hence lowering the coherence length, here we demonstrate another approach by employing strong temporal dispersion onto the existing laser source. Cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) cells with suitable dispersive slope at the edge of 1-D organic photonic band gap have been designed to provide maximum reduction in coherence volume while maintaining the intensity higher than 50%. As an example, the coherence length of a multimode He-Ne laser is reduced by more than 730 times.

  19. Quantum fluctuations of radiation in a ring Nd : YAG chip laser

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lariontsev, E G; Firsov, V V

    2015-07-31

    We report theoretical and experimental investigation of intensity fluctuations in a travelling-wave ring Nd : YAG chip laser, caused by the noise of spontaneous emission. In accordance with theory and experiment, quantum intensity fluctuations in the laser under study decrease dramatically with increasing pump over the threshold. As a result of the research performed, the factor β is found, which determines the ratio of the rate of spontaneous emission into the generated mode to the total rate of spontaneous emission into all modes. The effect of the relaxation rate from the lower laser level on quantum fluctuations of the radiationmore » intensity is found. (control of radiation parameters)« less

  20. Backscattering enhancement factor dependence of a Laguerre-Gaussian laser beam propagating on the location path in the atmosphere on optical turbulence intensity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rytchkov, D. S.

    2017-11-01

    The paper presents the results of a study of the backscattering enhancement factor (BSE) dependence of vortex LaguerreGaussian beams propagating on monostatic location paths in the atmosphere on optical turbulence intensity. The numeric simulation split-step method of laser beam propagation was used to obtain BSE factor values of a laser beam propagated on monostatic location path in the turbulent atmosphere and reflected from a diffuse target. It is shown that BSE factor of the averaged intensity of a backscattered vortex laser beam of any topological charge is less than BSE factor values of backscattered Gaussian beam in arbitrary turbulent conditions.

  1. Pulse stretcher

    DOEpatents

    Horton, James A.

    1994-01-01

    Apparatus (20) for increasing the length of a laser pulse to reduce its peak power without substantial loss in the average power of the pulse. The apparatus (20) uses a White cell (10) having a plurality of optical delay paths (18a-18d) of successively increasing number of passes between the field mirror (13) and the objective mirrors (11 and 12). A pulse (26) from a laser (27) travels through a multi-leg reflective path (28) between a beam splitter (21) and a totally reflective mirror (24) to the laser output (37). The laser pulse (26) is also simultaneously injected through the beam splitter (21) to the input mirrors (14a-14d) of the optical delay paths (18a-18d). The pulses from the output mirrors (16a-16d) of the optical delay paths (18a-18d) go simultaneously to the laser output (37) and to the input mirrors ( 14b-14d) of the longer optical delay paths. The beam splitter (21) is 50% reflective and 50% transmissive to provide equal attenuation of all of the pulses at the laser output (37).

  2. Photobiomodulation of breast and cervical cancer stem cells using low-intensity laser irradiation.

    PubMed

    Kiro, N E; Hamblin, M R; Abrahamse, H

    2017-06-01

    Breast and cervical cancers are dangerous threats with regard to the health of women. The two malignancies have reached the highest record in terms of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Despite the use of novel strategies with the aim to treat and cure advanced stages of cancer, post-therapeutic relapse believed to be caused by cancer stem cells is one of the challenges encountered during tumor therapy. Therefore, further attention should be paid to cancer stem cells when developing novel anti-tumor therapeutic approaches. Low-intensity laser irradiation is a form of phototherapy making use of visible light in the wavelength range of 630-905 nm. Low-intensity laser irradiation has shown remarkable results in a wide range of medical applications due to its biphasic dose and wavelength effect at a cellular level. Overall, this article focuses on the cellular responses of healthy and cancer cells after treatment with low-intensity laser irradiation alone or in combination with a photosensitizer as photodynamic therapy and the influence that various wavelengths and fluencies could have on the therapeutic outcome. Attention will be paid to the biomodulative effect of low-intensity laser irradiation on cancer stem cells.

  3. Comparative study of energy of particles ejected from coulomb explosion of rare gas and metallic clusters irradiated by intense femtosecond laser field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boucerredj, N.; Beggas, K.

    2016-10-01

    We present our study of high intensity femtosecond laser field interaction with large cluster of Kr and Na (contained 2.103 to 2.107 atoms). When laser intensity is above a critical value, it blows off all of electrons from the cluster and forms a non neutral ion cloud. The irradiation of these clusters by the intense laser field leads to highly excitation energy which can be the source of energetic electrons, electronic emission, highly charge, energetic ions and fragmentation process. During the Coulomb explosion of the resulting highly ionized, high temperature nanoplasma, ions acquire again their energy. It is shown that ultra fast ions are produced. The goal of our study is to investigate in detail a comparative study of the expansion and explosion then the ion energy of metallic and rare gas clusters irradiated by an intense femtosecond laser field. We have found that ions have a kinetic energy up to 105 eV and the Coulomb pressure is little than the hydrodynamic pressure. The Coulomb explosion of a cluster may provide a new high energy ion source.

  4. Experimental characterization of the transition to coherence collapse in a semiconductor laser with optical feedback

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Panozzo, M.; Quintero-Quiroz, C.; Tiana-Alsina, J.; Torrent, M. C.; Masoller, C.

    2017-11-01

    Semiconductor lasers with time-delayed optical feedback display a wide range of dynamical regimes, which have found various practical applications. They also provide excellent testbeds for data analysis tools for characterizing complex signals. Recently, several of us have analyzed experimental intensity time-traces and quantitatively identified the onset of different dynamical regimes, as the laser current increases. Specifically, we identified the onset of low-frequency fluctuations (LFFs), where the laser intensity displays abrupt dropouts, and the onset of coherence collapse (CC), where the intensity fluctuations are highly irregular. Here we map these regimes when both, the laser current and the feedback strength vary. We show that the shape of the distribution of intensity fluctuations (characterized by the standard deviation, the skewness, and the kurtosis) allows to distinguish among noise, LFFs and CC, and to quantitatively determine (in spite of the gradual nature of the transitions) the boundaries of the three regimes. Ordinal analysis of the inter-dropout time intervals consistently identifies the three regimes occurring in the same parameter regions as the analysis of the intensity distribution. Simulations of the well-known time-delayed Lang-Kobayashi model are in good qualitative agreement with the observations.

  5. Proton acceleration to above 5.5 MeV by interaction of 1017 W/cm2 laser pulse with H2O nano-wire targets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schleifer, E.; Bruner, N.; Eisenmann, S.; Botton, M.; Pikuz, S. A., Jr.; Faenov, A. Y.; Gordon, D.; Zigler, A.

    2011-05-01

    Compact sources of high energy protons (50-500MeV) are expected to be key technology in a wide range of scientific applications 1-8. Particularly promising is the target normal sheah acceleration (TNSA) scheme 9,10, holding record level of 67MeV protons generated by a peta-Watt laser 11. In general, laser intensity exceeding 1018 W/cm2 is required to produce MeV level protons. Enhancing the energy of generated protons using compact laser sources is very attractive task nowadays. Recently, nano-scale targets were used to accelerate ions 12,13. Here we report on the first generation of 5.5-7.5MeV protons by modest laser intensities (4.5 × 1017 W/cm2) interacting with H2O nano-wires (snow) deposited on a Sapphire substrate. In this setup, the plasma near the tip of the nano-wire is subject to locally enhanced laser intensity with high spatial gradients, and confined charge separation is obtained. Electrostatic fields of extremely high intensities are produced, and protons are accelerated to MeV-level energies. Nano-wire engineered targets will relax the demand of peak energy from laser based sources.

  6. The advanced LIGO input optics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mueller, Chris L., E-mail: cmueller@phys.ufl.edu; Arain, Muzammil A.; Ciani, Giacomo

    The advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors are nearing their design sensitivity and should begin taking meaningful astrophysical data in the fall of 2015. These resonant optical interferometers will have unprecedented sensitivity to the strains caused by passing gravitational waves. The input optics play a significant part in allowing these devices to reach such sensitivities. Residing between the pre-stabilized laser and the main interferometer, the input optics subsystem is tasked with preparing the laser beam for interferometry at the sub-attometer level while operating at continuous wave input power levels ranging from 100 mW to 150 W. These extreme operating conditions requiredmore » every major component to be custom designed. These designs draw heavily on the experience and understanding gained during the operation of Initial LIGO and Enhanced LIGO. In this article, we report on how the components of the input optics were designed to meet their stringent requirements and present measurements showing how well they have lived up to their design.« less

  7. The Multidisk Diode-Pumped High Power Yb:YAG Laser Amplifier of High-Intensity Laser System with 1 kHz Repetition Rate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuptsov, G. V.; Petrov, V. V.; Petrov, V. A.; Laptev, A. V.; Kirpichnikov, A. V.; Pestryakov, E. V.

    2018-04-01

    The source of instabilities in the multidisk diode-pumped high power Yb:YAG laser amplifier with cryogenic closed-loop cooling in the laser amplification channel of the high-intensity laser system with 1 kHz repetition rate was determined. Dissected copper mounts were designed and used to suppress instabilities and to achieve repeatability of the system. The equilibrium temperature dependency of the active elements on average power was measured. The seed laser for the multidisk amplifier was numerically simulated and designed to allow one to increase pulses output energy after the amplifier up to 500 mJ.

  8. Updated LPI Thresholds for the Nike Laser*

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weaver, J. L.; Oh, J.; Afeyan, B.; Phillips, L.; Seely, J.; Kehne, D.; Brown, C.; Obenschain, S. P.; Serlin, V.; Schmitt, A. J.; Feldman, U.; Holland, G.; Manka, C.; Lehmberg, R. H.; McLean, E.

    2009-11-01

    Advanced implosion designs for direct drive inertial confinement fusion use high laser intensities (10^15-10^16 W/cm^2) to achieve gain (g>100) with a reduction in total laser energy (E<1 MJ). Krypton-fluoride lasers such as the Nike laser at NRL are an attractive choice due to their combination of short wavelength (248 nm), large bandwidth (1-2 THz), and beam smoothing by induced spatial incoherence but the potential threat from laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) needs to be assessed. The 2008 LPI campaign at Nike yielded threshold intensities above 10^15 W/cm^2 for the two-plasmon instability, a value higher than reported for 351 nm glass lasers. The experiments used a planar geometry, solid polystyrene targets, and a subset of beams (E<200 J) with a reduced focal spot (d<125 μm). The 2009 campaign extended the shot parameters to higher laser energies (E<1 kJ) and larger spot sizes (d<300 μm). Spectrally-resolved and time-resolved measurements of x-rays and emission near ^1/2φo and ^3/2φo harmonics of the laser wavelength show threshold intensities consistent with the 2008 results. *Work supported by DoE/NNSA

  9. MeV proton acceleration at kHz repetition rate from ultra-intense laser liquid interaction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morrison, John T.; Feister, Scott; Frische, Kyle D.; Austin, Drake R.; Ngirmang, Gregory K.; Murphy, Neil R.; Orban, Chris; Chowdhury, Enam A.; Roquemore, W. M.

    2018-02-01

    Laser acceleration of ions to ≳MeV energies has been achieved on a variety of Petawatt laser systems, raising the prospect of ion beam applications using compact ultra-intense laser technology. However, translation from proof-of-concept laser experiment into real-world application requires MeV-scale ion energies and an appreciable repetition rate (>Hz). We demonstrate, for the first time, proton acceleration up to 2 MeV energies at a kHz repetition rate using a milli-joule-class short-pulse laser system. In these experiments, 5 mJ of ultrashort-pulse laser energy is delivered at an intensity near 5× {10}18 {{W}} {cm}}-2 onto a thin-sheet, liquid-density target. Key to this effort is a flowing liquid ethylene glycol target formed in vacuum with thicknesses down to 400 nm and full recovery at 70 μs, suggesting its potential use at ≫kHz rate. Novel detectors and experimental methods tailored to high-repetition-rate ion acceleration by lasers were essential to this study and are described. In addition, particle-in-cell simulations of the laser-plasma interaction show good agreement with experimental observations.

  10. A high speed and high gain CMOS receiver chip for a pulsed time-of-flight laser rangefinder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Jin-jin; Deng, Ruo-han; Yuan, Hong-hui; Chen, Yong-ping

    2011-06-01

    An integrated receiver channel for a pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser rangefinder has been designed. Pulsed TOF laser range finding devices using a laser diode transmitter can achieve millimeter-level distance measurement accuracy in a measurement range of several tens of meters to non-cooperative targets. The amplifier exploits the regulated cascade (RGC) configuration as the input-stage, thus achieving as large effective input trans-conductance as that of Si Bipolar or GaAs MESFET. The RGC input configuration isolates the input parasitic capacitance including photodiode capacitance from the bandwidth determination better than common-gate TIA. To enlarge the bandwidth, inductive peaking technology has been adopted. An active inductor (MOS-L) is used instead of spiral inductor in CMOS process. An R-2R resistor ladder is inserting between per-amplifier and post-amplifier as the variable attenuator for digital gain control purpose. The gain-bandwidth of a basic differential pair with resistive load is not large enough for broad band operation. A circuit solution to improve both gain and bandwidth of an amplifying stage is proposed. Traditional and modified Cherry-Hooper amplifiers are discussed and the cascading of several stages to constitute the post-amplifier is designed. The fully integrated one-chip solution is designed with Cadence IC design platform. The simulation result shows the bandwidth of the trans-impedance amplifier is 215MHz with the presence of a 2pF input capacitor and 5pF load capacitor. And the maximum trans-impedance gain is 136dB. The walk error is less than 1ns in 1:1000 dynamic range. The responsive time is less than 2.2ns.

  11. Diode-pumped Cr-doped ZnMnSe and ZnMgSe lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Říha, A.; Němec, M.; Jelínková, H.; Čech, M.; Vyhlídal, D.; Doroshenko, M. E.; Komar, V. K.; Gerasimenko, A. S.

    2017-12-01

    Chromium ions Cr2+ are known to have good fluorescence properties in the mid-infrared spectral region around the wavelength of 2.5 μm. The aim of this study was the investigation of new laser crystal materials - Zn0.95Mn0.05Se, Zn0.70Mn 0.30Se, and Zn0.75Mg0.25Se doped by Cr2+ ions and comparison of their spectral and laser characteristics. The spectroscopic parameters as absorption and fluorescence spectra as well as lifetimes were measured. As optical pumping the laser diode generating radiation at the wavelength of 1.69 μm (pulse repetition rate 10 Hz, pulse width 2 ms) was used. The longitudinal-pumped resonator was hemispherical with an output coupler radius of curvature 150 mm. The laser emission spectra were investigated and the highest intensity of emitted radiation was achieved at wavelengths 2451 nm, 2469 nm, and 2470 nm from the Cr:Zn0.95Mn0.05Se, Cr:Zn0.70Mn0.30Se, and Cr:Zn0.75Mg0.25Se laser systems, respectively. The input-output characteristics of laser systems were measured; the maximum output peak power 177 mW was obtained for Cr:Zn0.95Mn0.05Se laser system with slope efficiency of 6.3 % with respect to absorbed peak power. The output peak power as well as output beam spatial structure were stable during measurements. For the selection of the lasing wavelength, the single 1.5 mm thick quartz plate was placed at the Brewster angle inside the optical resonator between the output coupler and laser active medium. This element provided the tuning in the wavelength range 2290-2578 nm, 2353-2543 nm, and 2420-2551 nm for Cr:Zn0.95Mn0.05Se, Cr:Zn0.70Mn0.30Se, and Cr:Zn0.75Mg0.25Se, respectively. The obtained spectral FWHM linewidth of the individual output radiation was 10 nm. A comparison with previously measured Cr:ZnSe laser system was added in the end

  12. Absolute intensity measurements of impurity emissions in a shock tunnel and their consequences for laser-induced fluorescence experiments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Palma, P. C.; Houwing, A. F. P.; Sandeman, R. J.

    1993-01-01

    Absolute intensity measurements of impurity emissions in a shock tunnel nozzle flow are presented. The impurity emission intensities were measured with a photomultiplier and optical multichannel analyzer and calibrated against an intensity standard. The various metallic contaminants were identified and their intensities measured in the spectral regions 290 to 330 nm and 375 to 385 nm. A comparison with calculated fluorescence intensities for predissociated laser-induced fluorescence signals is made. It is found that the emission background is negligible for most fluorescence experiments.

  13. REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS: Spiral light beams

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abramochkin, Evgenii G.; Volostnikov, Vladimir G.

    2004-12-01

    This paper discusses theoretical and experimental results of the investigation of light beams that retain their intensity strusture during propagation and focusing. We describe a family of laser beams termed spiral whose intensity remains invariable, up to scale and rotation, during propagation. Several properties of spiral beams are of practical interest for laser technologies, medicine, and microbiology. The problem of synthesis of spiral beams with the intensity distribution given by an arbitrary planar curve is considered. We emphasize the feasibility, in principle, of making lasers that directly generate beams with desired properties without additional unconventional optics.

  14. Generation of electron vortex states in ionization by intense and short laser pulses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vélez, F. Cajiao; Krajewska, K.; Kamiński, J. Z.

    2018-04-01

    The generation of electron vortex states in ionization by intense and short laser pulses is analyzed under the scope of the lowest-order Born approximation. For near-infrared laser fields and nonrelativistic intensities of the order of 1016 W /cm2 , we show that one has to modify the nonrelativistic treatment of ionization by accounting for recoil and relativistic mass corrections. By using the corrected quasirelativistic theory, the requirements for the observation of electron vortex states with non-negligible probability and large topological charge are determined.

  15. On the scaling of multicrystal data sets collected at high-intensity X-ray and electron sources

    DOE PAGES

    Coppens, Philip; Fournier, Bertrand

    2015-11-11

    Here, the need for data-scaling has become increasingly evident as time-resolved pump-probe photocrystallography is rapidly developing at high intensity X-ray sources. Several aspects of the scaling of data sets collected at synchrotrons, XFELs (X-ray Free Electron Lasers) and high-intensity pulsed electron sources are discussed. They include laser-ON/laser-OFF data scaling, inter- and intra-data set scaling. (C) 2015 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

  16. OSA Proceedings of the Topical Meeting (5th) on Short-Wave Length Coherent Radiation: Generation and Applications Held in Monterey, California on 8-10 April 1991. Volume 11

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-05-22

    PIC simulation code to study several of the constraints imposed by plasma phenomena on the propagation of ultrashort high intensity laser pulses in...and radiation spectrum of free electrons in the focus of an ultrashort high intensity laser pulse is solved. Motion and radiation of electrons in a...higher harmonics. These studies are intended as a prelude to experiments with high intensity ultrashort laser pulses . To investigate the motion of

  17. Effects of electromagnetic fields on the nonlinear optical properties of asymmetric double quantum well under intense laser field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yesilgul, U.; Sari, H.; Ungan, F.; Martínez-Orozco, J. C.; Restrepo, R. L.; Mora-Ramos, M. E.; Duque, C. A.; Sökmen, I.

    2017-03-01

    In this study, the effects of electric and magnetic fields on the optical rectification and second and third harmonic generation in asymmetric double quantum well under the intense non-resonant laser field is theoretically investigated. We calculate the optical rectification and second and third harmonic generation within the compact density-matrix approach. The theoretical findings show that the influence of electric, magnetic, and intense laser fields leads to significant changes in the coefficients of nonlinear optical rectification, second and third harmonic generation.

  18. Waveforms for optimal sub-keV high-order harmonics with synthesized two- or three-colour laser fields.

    PubMed

    Jin, Cheng; Wang, Guoli; Wei, Hui; Le, Anh-Thu; Lin, C D

    2014-05-30

    High-order harmonics extending to the X-ray region generated in a gas medium by intense lasers offer the potential for providing tabletop broadband light sources but so far are limited by their low conversion efficiency. Here we show that harmonics can be enhanced by one to two orders of magnitude without an increase in the total laser power if the laser's waveform is optimized by synthesizing two- or three-colour fields. The harmonics thus generated are also favourably phase-matched so that radiation is efficiently built up in the gas medium. Our results, combined with the emerging intense high-repetition MHz lasers, promise to increase harmonic yields by several orders to make harmonics feasible in the near future as general bright tabletop light sources, including intense attosecond pulses.

  19. Terahertz generation from laser-driven ultrafast current propagation along a wire target

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhuo, H. B.; Zhang, S. J.; Li, X. H.; Zhou, H. Y.; Li, X. Z.; Zou, D. B.; Yu, M. Y.; Wu, H. C.; Sheng, Z. M.; Zhou, C. T.

    2017-01-01

    Generation of intense coherent THz radiation by obliquely incidenting an intense laser pulse on a wire target is studied using particle-in-cell simulation. The laser-accelerated fast electrons are confined and guided along the surface of the wire, which then acts like a current-carrying line antenna and under appropriate conditions can emit electromagnetic radiation in the THz regime. For a driving laser intensity ˜3 ×1018W /cm2 and pulse duration ˜10 fs, a transient current above 10 KA is produced on the wire surface. The emission-cone angle of the resulting ˜0.15 mJ (˜58 GV/m peak electric field) THz radiation is ˜30∘ . The conversion efficiency of laser-to-THz energy is ˜0.75 % . A simple analytical model that well reproduces the simulated result is presented.

  20. Megagauss magnetic fields in ultra-intense laser generated dense plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shaikh, Moniruzzaman; Lad, Amit D.; Jana, Kamalesh; Sarkar, Deep; Dey, Indranuj; Kumar, G. Ravindra

    2017-01-01

    Table-top terawatt lasers can create relativistic light intensities and launch megaampere electron pulses in a solid. These pulses induce megagauss (MG) magnetic pulses, which in turn strongly affect the hot electron transport via electromagnetic instabilities. It is therefore crucial to characterize the MG magnetic fields in great detail. Here, we present measurements of the spatio-temporal evolution of MG magnetic fields produced by a high contrast (picosecond intensity contrast 10-9) laser in a dense plasma on a solid target. The MG magnetic field is measured using the magneto-optic Cotton-Mouton effect, with a time delayed second harmonic (400 nm) probe. The magnetic pulse created by the high contrast laser in a glass target peaks much faster and has a more rapid fall than that induced by a low contrast (10-6) laser.

  1. Nonlinear pulse propagation and phase velocity of laser-driven plasma waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benedetti, Carlo; Rossi, Francesco; Schroeder, Carl; Esarey, Eric; Leemans, Wim

    2014-10-01

    We investigate and characterize the laser evolution and plasma wave excitation by a relativistically intense, short-pulse laser propagating in a preformed parabolic plasma channel, including the effects of pulse steepening, frequency redshifting, and energy depletion. We derived in 3D, and in the weakly relativistic intensity regime, analytical expressions for the laser energy depletion, the pulse self-steepening rate, the laser intensity centroid velocity, and the phase velocity of the plasma wave. Analytical results have been validated numerically using the 2D-cylindrical, ponderomotive code INF&RNO. We also discuss the extension of these results to the nonlinear regime, where an analytical theory of the nonlinear wake phase velocity is lacking. Work supported by the Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

  2. Induction of subterahertz surface waves on a metal wire by intense laser interaction with a foil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Teramoto, Kensuke; Inoue, Shunsuke; Tokita, Shigeki; Yasuhara, Ryo; Nakamiya, Yoshihide; Nagashima, Takeshi; Mori, Kazuaki; Hashida, Masaki; Sakabe, Shuji

    2018-02-01

    We have demonstrated that a pulsed electromagnetic wave (Sommerfeld wave) of subterahertz frequency and 11-MV/m field strength can be induced on a metal wire by the interaction of an intense femtosecond laser pule with an adjacent metal foil at a laser intensity of 8.5 × 1018W /c m2 . The polarity of the electric field of this surface wave is opposite to that obtained by the direct interaction of the laser with the wire. Numerical simulations suggest that an electromagnetic wave associated with electron emission from the foil induces the surface wave. A tungsten wire is placed normal to an aluminum foil with a gap so that the wire is not irradiated and damaged by the laser pulse, thus making it possible to generate surface waves on the wire repeatedly.

  3. Nuclear Physics with 10 PW laser beams at Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zamfir, N. V.

    2014-05-01

    The field of the uncharted territory of high-intensity laser interaction with matter is confronted with new exotic phenomena and, consequently, opens new research perspectives. The intense laser beams interacting with a gas or solid target generate beams of electrons, protons and ions. These beams can induce nuclear reactions. Electrons also generate ions high-energy photons via bremsstrahlung processes which can also induce nuclear reactions. In this context a new research domain began to form in the last decade or so, namely nuclear physics with high power lasers. The observation of high brilliance proton beams of tens of MeV energy from solid targets has stimulated an intense research activity. The laser-driven particle beams have to compete with conventional nuclear accelerator-generated beams. The ultimate goal is aiming at applications of the laser produced beams in research, technology and medicine. The mechanism responsible for ion acceleration are currently subject of intensive research in many laboratories in the world. The existing results, experimental and theoretical, and their perspectives are reviewed in this article in the context of IZEST and the scientific program of ELI-NP.

  4. Low intensity infrared laser affects expression of oxidative DNA repair genes in mitochondria and nucleus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fonseca, A. S.; Magalhães, L. A. G.; Mencalha, A. L.; Geller, M.; Paoli, F.

    2014-11-01

    Practical properties and physical characteristics of low intensity lasers have made possible their application to treat soft tissue diseases. Excitation of intracellular chromophores by red and infrared radiation at low energy fluences with increase of mitochondrial metabolism is the basis of the biostimulation effect but free radicals can be produced. DNA lesions induced by free radicals are repaired by the base excision repair pathway. In this work, we evaluate the expression of POLγ and APEX2 genes related to repair of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, respectively. Skin and muscle tissue of Wistar rats were exposed to low intensity infrared laser at different fluences. One hour and 24 hours after laser exposure, tissue samples were withdrawn for total RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and evaluation of POLγ and APEX2 mRNA expression by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Skin and muscle tissue of Wistar rats exposed to laser radiation show different expression of POLγ and APEX2 mRNA depending of the fluence and time after exposure. Our study suggests that a low intensity infrared laser affects expression of genes involved in repair of oxidative lesions in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA.

  5. Plasma-based polarizer and waveplate at large laser intensity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lehmann, G.; Spatschek, K. H.

    2018-06-01

    A plasma photonic crystal consists of a plasma density grating which is created in underdense plasma by counterpropagating laser beams. When a high-power laser pulse impinges the crystal, it might be reflected or transmitted. So far only one type of pulse polarization, namely the so-called s wave (or TE mode) was investigated (when the electric field vector is perpendicular to the plane of incidence). Here, when investigating also so-called p waves (or TM modes, where the magnetic field vector is perpendicular to the plane of incidence), it is detected that the transmission and reflection properties of the plasma photonic crystal depend on polarization. A simple analytic model of the crystal allows one to make precise predictions. The first conclusion is that in some operational regime the crystal can act as a plasma polarizer for high-intensity laser pulses. Also, differences in phase velocities for grazing incidence between s and p polarization are found. Thus, secondly, the crystal can be utilized as a waveplate, e.g., transforming linearly polarized laser light into circular polarization. All these processes extend to laser intensities beyond the damage intensities of so far used solid state devices.

  6. Influence of Laser Radiation Power Density on the Intensity of Spectral Lines for Main Components in a Clay Laser-Induced Plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anufrik, S. S.; Kurian, N. N.; Znosko, K. F.; Belkov, M. V.

    2018-05-01

    We have studied the intensity of the spectral lines for the main components in clay: Al I 309.4 nm, Al II 358.7 nm, Mg II 279.6 nm, Ti II 323.6 nm vs. the position of the object relative to the focus of the optical system when the samples are exposed to single laser pulses from a YAG:Nd3+ laser. We have determined the permissible ranges for positioning the object relative to the focus of the optical system (positive and negative defocusing) for which there is practically no change in the reproducibility of the intensity for the spectral lines for red and white clay samples. We show that the position of the object relative to the focus of the optical system should be within the range ΔZ ±1.5 mm for optimal laser pulse energies for the analyte spectral lines. We have calculated the radiation flux density for different laser pulse energies and different distances from the focus to the object. We have shown experimentally that reducing the radiation flux density leads to a decrease in the intensity of the analyte spectral lines.

  7. Acceleration of electron bunches by intense laser pulse in vacuum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hua, J. F.; Ho, Y. K.; Lin, Y. Z.; Cao, N.

    2003-08-01

    This paper addresses the output characteristics of real electron bunches accelerated with ultra-intense laser pulse in vacuum by the capture & acceleration scenario (CAS) scheme (see, e.g., Phys. Rev. E66 (2002) 066501). Normally, the size of an electron bunch is much larger than that of a tightly focused and compressed laser pulse. We examine in detail the features of the intersection region, the distribution of electrons which can experience an intense laser field and be accelerated to high energy. Furthermore, the output properties of the accelerated CAS electrons, such as the energy spectra, the angular distributions, the energy-angle correlations, the acceleration gradient, the energy which can be reached with this scheme, the emittances of the outgoing electron bunches, and the dependence of the output properties on the incident electron beam qualities such as the emittance, focusing status, etc. were studied and explained. We found that with intense laser systems and electron beam technology currently available nowadays, the number of CAS electrons can reach 10 4-10 5, when the total number of incident electrons in the practical bunch reaches ˜10 8. These results demonstrate that CAS is promising to become a novel mechanism of vacuum laser accelerators.

  8. Intensity-dependent atomic-phase effects in high-order harmonic generation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peatross, J.; Meyerhofer, D. D.

    1995-11-01

    The far-field angular distributions of high-order harmonics of a 1054-nm laser, with orders ranging from the lower teens to the upper thirties, have been measured in thin, low-density Ar, Kr, and Xe targets. The 1.25-times-diffraction-limited, 1.4-ps-duration, Gaussian laser pulses were focused to intensities ranging from 3×1013 to 3×1014 W/cm2, using f/70 optics. A gas target localized the gas distribution near the laser focus to a thickness of about 1 mm at pressures as low as 0.3 Torr. The weak focusing geometry and the low gas pressures created experimental conditions for which the harmonics could be thought of as emerging from a plane at the laser focus rather than a three-dimensional volume. The far-field distributions of nearly all of the harmonics exhibit narrow central peaks surrounded by broad wings of about the same angular divergence as the emerging laser beam. The spatial wings are due to an intensity-dependent phase variation among the dipole moments of the individual target atoms. This phase variation gives rise to broad spatial interferences in the scattered light due to the radial and temporal variation of the laser intensity.

  9. Modeling rainfall conditions for shallow landsliding in Seattle, Washington

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Godt, Jonathan W.; Schulz, William H.; Baum, Rex L.; Savage, William Z.

    2008-01-01

    We describe the results from an application of a distributed, transient infiltration–slope-stability model for an 18 km2 area of southwestern Seattle, Washington, USA. The model (TRIGRS) combines an infinite slope-stability calculation and an analytic, one-dimensional solution for pore-pressure diffusion in a soil layer of finite depth in response to time-varying rainfall. The transient solution for pore-pressure response can be superposed on any steady-state groundwater-flow field that is consistent with model assumptions. Applied over digital topography, the model computes a factor of safety for each grid cell at any time during a rainstorm. Input variables may vary from cell to cell, and the rainfall rate can vary in both space and time. For Seattle, topographic slope derived from an airborne laser swath mapping (ALSM)–based 3 m digital elevation model (DEM), maps of soil and water-table depths derived from geotechnical borings, and hourly rainfall intensities were used as model inputs. Material strength and hydraulic properties used in the model were determined from field and laboratory measurements, and a tension-saturated initial condition was assumed. Results are given in terms of a destabilizing intensity and duration of rainfall, and they were evaluated by comparing the locations of 212 historical landslides with the area mapped as potentially unstable. Because the equations of groundwater flow are explicitly solved with respect to time, the results from TRIGRS simulations can be portrayed quantitatively to assess the potential landslide hazard based on rainfall conditions.

  10. The effect of external magnetic field on the bremsstrahlung nonlinear absorption mechanism in the interaction of high intensity short laser pulse with collisional underdense plasma

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sedaghat, M.; Ettehadi-Abari, M.; Shokri, B., E-mail: b-shokri@sbu.ac.ir

    2015-03-15

    Laser absorption in the interaction between ultra-intense femtosecond laser and solid density plasma is studied theoretically here in the intensity range Iλ{sup 2}≃10{sup 14}−10{sup 16}Wcm{sup −2}μm{sup 2}. The collisional effect is found to be significant when the incident laser intensity is less than 10{sup 16}Wcm{sup −2}μm{sup 2}. In the current work, the propagation of a high frequency electromagnetic wave, for underdense collisional plasma in the presence of an external magnetic field is investigated. It is shown that, by considering the effect of the ponderomotive force in collisional magnetized plasmas, the increase of laser pulse intensity leads to steepening of themore » electron density profile and the electron bunches of plasma makes narrower. Moreover, it is found that the wavelength of electric and magnetic fields oscillations increases by increasing the external magnetic field and the density distribution of electrons also grows in comparison with the unmagnetized collisional plasma. Furthermore, the spatial damping rate of laser energy and the nonlinear bremsstrahlung absorption coefficient are obtained in the collisional regime of magnetized plasma. The other remarkable result is that by increasing the external magnetic field in this case, the absorption coefficient increases strongly.« less

  11. Method and system for modulation of gain suppression in high average power laser systems

    DOEpatents

    Bayramian, Andrew James [Manteca, CA

    2012-07-31

    A high average power laser system with modulated gain suppression includes an input aperture associated with a first laser beam extraction path and an output aperture associated with the first laser beam extraction path. The system also includes a pinhole creation laser having an optical output directed along a pinhole creation path and an absorbing material positioned along both the first laser beam extraction path and the pinhole creation path. The system further includes a mechanism operable to translate the absorbing material in a direction crossing the first laser beam extraction laser path and a controller operable to modulate the second laser beam.

  12. Formation of periodic mesoscale structures arranged in a circular symmetry at the silicon surface exposed to radiation of a single femtosecond laser pulse

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Romashevskiy, S. A.; Ashitkov, S. I.; Ovchinnikov, A. V.; Kondratenko, P. S.; Agranat, M. B.

    2016-06-01

    The periodic mesoscale structures arranged in a circular symmetry were found at the silicon surface exposed to radiation of the single femtosecond laser pulse with a Gaussian intensity profile in the ambient air conditions. These peculiar structures have the appearance of the protrusions of ∼10 nm height and of ∼600 nm width (at a FWHM) separately located inside the ablated region with a period of the incident laser wavelength. It was found that their position at the surface corresponds to the specified laser intensity slightly above the ablation threshold. The number of the formed periodic structures varies with the fluence of the incident laser pulse and in our experiments it was found to have changed from one to eleven. We suppose that formation of these mesoscale structures is caused by heating of a microscale volume to the strongly defined temperature. The theoretical model was proposed to explain the obtained data. It assumes that the interference of incident laser radiation with laser-induced surface electromagnetic waves results in generation of periodic distribution of electron temperature. Thus formation of the periodic structures at the specified laser intensity is attributed to periodically modulated absorption of laser energy at a focal laser spot.

  13. Ambient methods and apparatus for rapid laser trace constituent analysis

    DOEpatents

    Snyder, Stuart C.; Partin, Judy K.; Grandy, Jon D.; Jeffery, Charles L.

    2002-01-01

    A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring trace amounts of constituents in samples by using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and laser induced fluorescence under ambient conditions. The laser induced fluorescence is performed at a selected wavelength corresponding to an absorption state of a selected trace constituent. The intensity value of the emission decay signal which is generated by the trace constituent is compared to calibrated emission intensity decay values to determine the amount of trace constituent present.

  14. Electromagnetically induced transparency with noisy lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiao, Yanhong; Wang, Tun; Baryakhtar, Maria; van Camp, Mackenzie; Crescimanno, Michael; Hohensee, Michael; Jiang, Liang; Phillips, David F.; Lukin, Mikhail D.; Yelin, Susanne F.; Walsworth, Ronald L.

    2009-10-01

    We demonstrate and characterize two coherent phenomena that can mitigate the effects of laser phase noise for electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT): a laser-power-broadening-resistant resonance in the transmitted intensity cross correlation between EIT optical fields, and a resonant suppression of the conversion of laser phase noise to intensity noise when one-photon noise dominates over two-photon-detuning noise. Our experimental observations are in good agreement with both an intuitive physical picture and numerical calculations. The results have wide-ranging applications to spectroscopy, atomic clocks, and magnetometers.

  15. Particle-in-cell modeling of laser Thomson scattering in low-density plasmas at elevated laser intensities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Powis, Andrew T.; Shneider, Mikhail N.

    2018-05-01

    Incoherent Thomson scattering is a non-intrusive technique commonly used for measuring local plasma density. Within low-density, low-temperature plasmas and for sufficient laser intensity, the laser may perturb the local electron density via the ponderomotive force, causing the diagnostic to become intrusive and leading to erroneous results. A theoretical model for this effect is validated numerically via kinetic simulations of a quasi-neutral plasma using the particle-in-cell technique.

  16. Predicting threshold and location of laser damage on optical surfaces

    DOEpatents

    Siekhaus, Wigbert

    1987-01-01

    An apparatus useful in the prediction of the damage threshold of various optical devices, the location of weak spots on such devices and the location, identification, and elimination of optical surface impurities comprising, a focused and pulsed laser, an photo electric detector/imaging means, and a timer. The weak spots emit photoelectrons when subjected to laser intensities that are less than the intensity actually required to produce the damage. The weak spots may be eliminated by sustained exposure to the laser beam.

  17. Quadratic spatial soliton interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jankovic, Ladislav

    Quadratic spatial soliton interactions were investigated in this Dissertation. The first part deals with characterizing the principal features of multi-soliton generation and soliton self-reflection. The second deals with two beam processes leading to soliton interactions and collisions. These subjects were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The experiments were performed by using potassium niobate (KNBO 3) and periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystals. These particular crystals were desirable for these experiments because of their large nonlinear coefficients and, more importantly, because the experiments could be performed under non-critical-phase-matching (NCPM) conditions. The single soliton generation measurements, performed on KNBO3 by launching the fundamental component only, showed a broad angular acceptance bandwidth which was important for the soliton collisions performed later. Furthermore, at high input intensities multi-soliton generation was observed for the first time. The influence on the multi-soliton patterns generated of the input intensity and beam symmetry was investigated. The combined experimental and theoretical efforts indicated that spatial and temporal noise on the input laser beam induced multi-soliton patterns. Another research direction pursued was intensity dependent soliton routing by using of a specially engineered quadratically nonlinear interface within a periodically poled KTP sample. This was the first time demonstration of the self-reflection phenomenon in a system with a quadratic nonlinearity. The feature investigated is believed to have a great potential for soliton routing and manipulation by engineered structures. A detailed investigation was conducted on two soliton interaction and collision processes. Birth of an additional soliton resulting from a two soliton collision was observed and characterized for the special case of a non-planar geometry. A small amount of spiraling, up to 30 degrees rotation, was measured in the experiments performed. The parameters relevant for characterizing soliton collision processes were also studied in detail. Measurements were performed for various collision angles (from 0.2 to 4 degrees), phase mismatch, relative phase between the solitons and the distance to the collision point within the sample (which affects soliton formation). Both the individual and combined effects of these collision variables were investigated. Based on the research conducted, several all-optical switching scenarios were proposed.

  18. High intensity surface plasma waves, theory and PIC simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raynaud, M.; Héron, A.; Adam, J.-C.

    2018-01-01

    With the development of intense (>1019 W cm-2) short pulses (≤25 fs) laser with very high contrast, surface plasma wave (SPW) can be explored in the relativistic regime. As the SPW propagates with a phase velocity close to the speed of light it may results in a strong acceleration of electron bunches along the surface permitting them to reach relativistic energies. This may be important e.g. for applications in the field of plasma-based accelerators. We investigate in this work the excitation of SPWs on grating preformed over-dense plasmas for laser intensities ranging from 1019 up to 1021 W cm-2. We discuss the nature of the interaction with respect to the solid case in which surface plasmon can be resonantly excited with weak laser intensity. In particular, we show the importance of the pulse duration and focalization of the laser beam on the amplitude of the SPW.

  19. Intensity autocorrelation measurements of frequency combs in the terahertz range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benea-Chelmus, Ileana-Cristina; Rösch, Markus; Scalari, Giacomo; Beck, Mattias; Faist, Jérôme

    2017-09-01

    We report on direct measurements of the emission character of quantum cascade laser based frequency combs, using intensity autocorrelation. Our implementation is based on fast electro-optic sampling, with a detection spectral bandwidth matching the emission bandwidth of the comb laser, around 2.5 THz. We find the output of these frequency combs to be continuous even in the locked regime, but accompanied by a strong intensity modulation. Moreover, with our record temporal resolution of only few hundreds of femtoseconds, we can resolve correlated intensity modulation occurring on time scales as short as the gain recovery time, about 4 ps. By direct comparison with pulsed terahertz light originating from a photoconductive emitter, we demonstrate the peculiar emission pattern of these lasers. The measurement technique is self-referenced and ultrafast, and requires no reconstruction. It will be of significant importance in future measurements of ultrashort pulses from quantum cascade lasers.

  20. Characterization of x- and gamma- radiation in relativistically intense laser-solid interactions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hou, Bixue; Zulick, Calvin; Zhao, Zhen; Nees, John; Batson, Thomas; Maksimchuk, Anatoly; Thomas, Alexander G. R.; Krushelnick, Karl; CenterUltrafast Optical Science Team

    2013-10-01

    Using a high resolution (λ/ Δλ > 100) high purity germanium detector, the angular and material dependence, and the intensity scaling, of bremsstrahlung gamma radiation from relativistically intense (I > 1018 W/cm2) laser-solid interactions have been characterized at energies between 0.1 and 1 MeV with the high-repetition rate (500 Hz) Lambda-Cubed laser facility. The bremsstrahlung spectra of SiO2, Mo, and Eu2O3 were observed to have two-temperature energy distributions, corresponding to two different groups of electrons and depending on both laser intensity and observation angle. The spectra and source sizes of hard x-radiation under 0.1 MeV are also studied. These x-ray sources are being developed for phase-contrast imaging. Support provided by DHS (EECS-0833499), AFOSR (FA99550-12-1-0310), ARO (W911NF-11-1-0116).

  1. Comparative Study of Elemental Nutrients in Organic and Conventional Vegetables Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

    PubMed

    Bhatt, Chet R; Alfarraj, Bader; Ghany, Charles T; Yueh, Fang Y; Singh, Jagdish P

    2017-04-01

    In this study, the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique was used to identify and compare the presence of major nutrient elements in organic and conventional vegetables. Different parts of cauliflowers and broccolis were used as working samples. Laser-induced breakdown spectra from these samples were acquired at optimum values of laser energy, gate delay, and gate width. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the comparison of these organic and conventional vegetable flowers. Principal component analysis (PCA) was taken into account for multivariate analysis while for univariate analysis, the intensity of selected atomic lines of different elements and their intensity ratio with some reference lines of organic cauliflower and broccoli samples were compared with those of conventional ones. In addition, different parts of the cauliflower and broccoli were compared in terms of intensity and intensity ratio of elemental lines.

  2. A new method of building footprints detection using airborne laser scanning data and multispectral image

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luo, Yiping; Jiang, Ting; Gao, Shengli; Wang, Xin

    2010-10-01

    It presents a new approach for detecting building footprints in a combination of registered aerial image with multispectral bands and airborne laser scanning data synchronously obtained by Leica-Geosystems ALS40 and Applanix DACS-301 on the same platform. A two-step method for building detection was presented consisting of selecting 'building' candidate points and then classifying candidate points. A digital surface model(DSM) derived from last pulse laser scanning data was first filtered and the laser points were classified into classes 'ground' and 'building or tree' based on mathematic morphological filter. Then, 'ground' points were resample into digital elevation model(DEM), and a Normalized DSM(nDSM) was generated from DEM and DSM. The candidate points were selected from 'building or tree' points by height value and area threshold in nDSM. The candidate points were further classified into building points and tree points by using the support vector machines(SVM) classification method. Two classification tests were carried out using features only from laser scanning data and associated features from two input data sources. The features included height, height finite difference, RGB bands value, and so on. The RGB value of points was acquired by matching laser scanning data and image using collinear equation. The features of training points were presented as input data for SVM classification method, and cross validation was used to select best classification parameters. The determinant function could be constructed by the classification parameters and the class of candidate points was determined by determinant function. The result showed that associated features from two input data sources were superior to features only from laser scanning data. The accuracy of more than 90% was achieved for buildings in first kind of features.

  3. Efficient energy absorption of intense ps-laser pulse into nanowire target

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Habara, H.; Honda, S.; Katayama, M.; Sakagami, H.; Nagai, K.; Tanaka, K. A.

    2016-06-01

    The interaction between ultra-intense laser light and vertically aligned carbon nanotubes is investigated to demonstrate efficient laser-energy absorption in the ps laser-pulse regime. Results indicate a clear enhancement of the energy conversion from laser to energetic electrons and a simultaneously small plasma expansion on the surface of the target. A two-dimensional plasma particle calculation exhibits a high absorption through laser propagation deep into the nanotube array, even for a dense array whose structure is much smaller than the laser wavelength. The propagation leads to the radial expansion of plasma perpendicular to the nanotubes rather than to the front side. These features may contribute to fast ignition in inertial confinement fusion and laser particle acceleration, both of which require high current and small surface plasma simultaneously.

  4. Laser-enhanced dynamics in molecular rate processes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    George, T. F.; Zimmerman, I. H.; Devries, P. L.; Yuan, J.-M.; Lam, K.-S.; Bellum, J. C.; Lee, H.-W.; Slutsky, M. S.

    1978-01-01

    The present discussion deals with some theoretical aspects associated with the description of molecular rate processes in the presence of intense laser radiation, where the radiation actually interacts with the molecular dynamics. Whereas for weak and even moderately intense radiation, the absorption and stimulated emission of photons by a molecular system can be described by perturbative methods, for intense radiation, perturbation theory is usually not adequate. Limiting the analysis to the gas phase, an attempt is made to describe nonperturbative approaches applicable to the description of such processes (in the presence of intense laser radiation) as electronic energy transfer in molecular (in particular atom-atom) collisions; collision-induced ionization and emission; and unimolecular dissociation.

  5. 5.5-7.5 MeV Proton Generation by a Moderate-Intensity Ultrashort-Pulse Laser Interaction with H2O Nanowire Targets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zigler, A.; Palchan, T.; Bruner, N.; Schleifer, E.; Eisenmann, S.; Botton, M.; Henis, Z.; Pikuz, S. A.; Faenov, A. Y., Jr.; Gordon, D.; Sprangle, P.

    2011-04-01

    We report on the first generation of 5.5-7.5 MeV protons by a moderate-intensity short-pulse laser (˜5×1017W/cm2, 40 fsec) interacting with frozen H2O nanometer-size structure droplets (snow nanowires) deposited on a sapphire substrate. In this setup, the laser intensity is locally enhanced by the snow nanowire, leading to high spatial gradients. Accordingly, the nanoplasma is subject to enhanced ponderomotive potential, and confined charge separation is obtained. Electrostatic fields of extremely high intensities are produced over the short scale length, and protons are accelerated to MeV-level energies.

  6. A high sensitive 66 dB linear dynamic range receiver for 3-D laser radar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Rui; Zheng, Hao; Zhu, Zhangming

    2017-08-01

    This study presents a CMOS receiver chip realized in 0.18 μm standard CMOS technology and intended for high precision 3-D laser radar. The chip includes an adjustable gain transimpedance pre-amplifier, a post-amplifier and two timing comparators. An additional feedback is employed in the regulated cascode transimpedance amplifier to decrease the input impedance, and a variable gain transimpedance amplifier controlled by digital switches and analog multiplexer is utilized to realize four gain modes, extending the input dynamic range. The measurement shows that the highest transimpedance of the channel is 50 k {{Ω }}, the uncompensated walk error is 1.44 ns in a wide linear dynamic range of 66 dB (1:2000), and the input referred noise current is 2.3 pA/\\sqrt{{Hz}} (rms), resulting in a very low detectable input current of 1 μA with SNR = 5.

  7. Determining the Carrier-Envelope Phase of Intense Few-Cycle Laser Pulses

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mackenroth, F.; Di Piazza, A.; Keitel, C. H.

    2010-08-06

    The electromagnetic radiation emitted by an ultrarelativistic accelerated electron is extremely sensitive to the precise shape of the field driving the electron. We show that the angular distribution of the photons emitted by an electron via multiphoton Compton scattering off an intense (I>10{sup 20} W/cm{sup 2}), few-cycle laser pulse provides a direct way of determining the carrier-envelope phase of the driving laser field. Our calculations take into account exactly the laser field, include relativistic and quantum effects and are in principle applicable to presently available and future foreseen ultrastrong laser facilities.

  8. Emission intensity modulation of radio-frequency helium glow-discharge emission source by laser ablation.

    PubMed

    Matsuta, Hideyuki; Naeem, Tariq M; Wagatsuma, Kazuaki

    2003-06-01

    A novel emission excitation source comprising a high repetition rate diode-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and a Grimm-style glow-discharge lamp is described. Laser-ablated atoms are introduced into the He glow discharge plasma, which then give emission signals. By using phase-sensitive detection with a lock-in amplifier, the emission signal modulated by the pulsed laser can be detected selectively. It is possible to estimate only the emission intensity of sample atoms ablated by laser irradiation with little interference from the other species in the plasma.

  9. [INVITED] Evaluation of process observation features for laser metal welding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tenner, Felix; Klämpfl, Florian; Nagulin, Konstantin Yu.; Schmidt, Michael

    2016-06-01

    In the present study we show how fast the fluid dynamics change when changing the laser power for different feed rates during laser metal welding. By the use of two high-speed cameras and a data acquisition system we conclude how fast we have to image the process to measure the fluid dynamics with a very high certainty. Our experiments show that not all process features which can be measured during laser welding do represent the process behavior similarly well. Despite the good visibility of the vapor plume the monitoring of its movement is less suitable as an input signal for a closed-loop control. The features measured inside the keyhole show a good correlation with changes of process parameters. Due to its low noise, the area of the keyhole opening is well suited as an input signal for a closed-loop control of the process.

  10. Excitation anisotropy in laser-induced-fluorescence spectroscopy: Broad-line excitation case

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirabayashi, A.; Nambu, Y.; Fujimoto, T.

    1986-01-01

    Treatment of excitation anisotropy for Laser-Induced-Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LIFS) is extended to the intense excitation case. The depolarization coefficient is derived for intense excitation limit (linearly-polarized or unpolarized light excitation), and the result is presented in tables. For the region of intermediate intensity between the weak and intense excitation limits, the master equation is solved for specific example of transitions and its result is compared with experiment.

  11. Generation of 369.4 nm Radiation by Efficient Doubling of a Diode Laser

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, A.; Seidel, D. J.; Maleki, J.

    1993-01-01

    A resonant cavity second harmonic generation system has been developed to produce 369.4 nm radiation from a 738.8 nm diode laser with 10 mW nominal output power. This system utilizes a polarization technique to lock the cavity to the laser frequency. In this paper we report on an evaluation of the system using a Titanium:Sapphire laser as the input source, and preliminary results with a diode laser source. To our knowledge, this is the deepest uv light ever produced by frequency-doubling a diode laser.

  12. Target Plate Material Influence on Fullerene-C60 Laser Desorption/Ionization Efficiency

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeegers, Guido P.; Günthardt, Barbara F.; Zenobi, Renato

    2016-04-01

    Systematic laser desorption/ionization (LDI) experiments of fullerene-C60 on a wide range of target plate materials were conducted to gain insight into the initial ion formation in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The positive and negative ion signal intensities of precursor, fragment, and cluster ions were monitored, varying both the laser fluence (0-3.53 Jcm-2) and the ion extraction delay time (0-950 ns). The resulting species-specific ion signal intensities are an indication for the ionization mechanisms that contribute to LDI and the time frames in which they operate, providing insight in the (MA)LDI primary ionization. An increasing electrical resistivity of the target plate material increases the fullerene-C60 precursor and fragment anion signal intensity. Inconel 625 and Ti90/Al6/V4, both highly electrically resistive, provide the highest anion signal intensities, exceeding the cation signal intensity by a factor ~1.4 for the latter. We present a mechanism based on transient electrical field strength reduction to explain this trend. Fullerene-C60 cluster anion formation is negligible, which could be due to the high extraction potential. Cluster cations, however, are readily formed, although for high laser fluences, the preferred channel is formation of precursor and fragment cations. Ion signal intensity depends greatly on the choice of substrate material, and careful substrate selection could, therefore, allow for more sensitive (MA)LDI measurements.

  13. Attenuation of laser radiation by the flame of burning hydrocarbons and efficiency of remote cutting of metals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gvozdev, S. V.; Glova, A. F.; Dubrovskii, V. Yu; Durmanov, S. T.; Krasyukov, A. G.; Lysikov, A. Yu; Smirnov, G. V.; Pleshkov, V. M.

    2017-12-01

    Mobile laser technological complex MLTC-20 with radiation power 20 kW and radiation wavelength 1.07 μm created in SRC RF TRINITI on the base of a three cw fiber Yb lasers is used successfully at remote cutting of the metalworks at carrying out of the emergency-reduction works on the out of control gas wells. In this work the results of the investigation of the possibility and the efficiency of laser radiation application for remote cutting of metals on the emergency oil wells have been presented. Measurements of the mean absorption coefficient of the radiation of a cw fiber Yb laser under its propagation in a flame of burning oil in dependence on radiation intensity have been carried out. It was shown that at the intensity ~104 W/cm2 the absorption coefficient traverses the maximum where its value is equal to ~0.1 cm-1, and at the intensity increasing to the values 105 - 106 W/cm2 it stabilizes on a small level ~5·10-3 - 10-2 cm-1. It is established that the maximal velocity and the efficiency of remote cutting of the steel plates with a thickness up to 10 mm by the radiation with the intensity 106 W/cm2 exceed these factors at the intensity 104 W/cm2. The possibility of the efficient remote cutting of steel plate with a thickness of 60 mm by laser radiation having the power 7.5 kW and the intensity 105 W/cm2 has been demonstrated.

  14. A Laser Stabilization System for Rydberg Atom Physics

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-09-06

    offset locking method which we did. For each system, a small amount of light from a 852 nm (780 nm) diode laser is picked off from the output beam ...this way, tunable sidebands, from 1-10 GHz, that are themselves modulated at .05-5 MHz, can be generated on the input laser beam . The light from the...phase modulation signal. This signal is fed back into the fast (10 MHz bandwidth) locking electronics of the diode laser system to lock the laser to

  15. Advanced infrared laser modulator development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cheo, P. K.; Wagner, R.; Gilden, M.

    1984-01-01

    A parametric study was conducted to develop an electrooptic waveguide modulator for generating continuous tunable sideband power from an infrared CO2 laser. Parameters included were the waveguide configurations, microstrip dimensions device impedance, and effective dielectric constants. An optimum infrared laser modulator was established and was fabricated. This modulator represents the state-of-the-art integrated optical device, which has a three-dimensional topology to accommodate three lambda/4 step transformers for microwave impedance matching at both the input and output terminals. A flat frequency response of the device over 20 HGz or = 3 dB) was achieved. Maximum single sideband to carrier power greater than 1.2% for 20 W microwave input power at optical carrier wavelength of 10.6 microns was obtained.

  16. Optically Driven Q-Switches For Lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hemmati, Hamid

    1994-01-01

    Optically driven Q-switches for pulsed lasers proposed, taking place of acousto-optical, magneto-optical, and electro-optical switches. Optical switching beams of proposed Q-switching most likely generated in pulsed diode lasers or light-emitting diodes, outputs of which are amplitude-modulated easily by direct modulation of relatively small input currents. Energy efficiencies exceed those of electrically driven Q-switches.

  17. XUV generation from the interaction of pico- and nanosecond laser pulses with nanostructured targets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barte, Ellie Floyd; Lokasani, Ragava; Proska, Jan; Stolcova, Lucie; Maguire, Oisin; Kos, Domagoj; Sheridan, Paul; O'Reilly, Fergal; Sokell, Emma; McCormack, Tom; O'Sullivan, Gerry; Dunne, Padraig; Limpouch, Jiri

    2017-05-01

    Laser-produced plasmas are intense sources of XUV radiation that can be suitable for different applications such as extreme ultraviolet lithography, beyond extreme ultraviolet lithography and water window imaging. In particular, much work has focused on the use of tin plasmas for extreme ultraviolet lithography at 13.5 nm. We have investigated the spectral behavior of the laser produced plasmas formed on closely packed polystyrene microspheres and porous alumina targets covered by a thin tin layer in the spectral region from 2.5 to 16 nm. Nd:YAG lasers delivering pulses of 170 ps (Ekspla SL312P )and 7 ns (Continuum Surelite) duration were focused onto the nanostructured targets coated with tin. The intensity dependence of the recorded spectra was studied; the conversion efficiency (CE) of laser energy into the emission in the 13.5 nm spectral region was estimated. We have observed an increase in CE using high intensity 170 ps Nd:YAG laser pulses as compared with a 7 ns pulse.

  18. Laser Plasma Instability (LPI) Driven Light Scattering Measurements with Nike KrF Laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oh, J.; Weaver, J. L.; Kehne, D. M.; Obenschain, S. P.; McLean, E. A.; Lehmberg, R. H.

    2008-11-01

    With the short wavelength (248 nm), large bandwidth (1˜2 THz), and ISI beam smoothing, Nike KrF laser is expected to have higher LPI thresholds than observed at other laser facilities. Previous measurements using the Nike laser [J. L. Weaver et al, Phys. Plasmas 14, 056316 (2007)] showed no LPI evidence from CH targets up to I˜2x10^15 W/cm^2. For further experiments to detect LPI excitation, Nike capabilities have been extended to achieve higher laser intensities by tighter beam focusing and higher power pulses. This talk will present results of a recent LPI experiment with the extended Nike capabilities focusing on light emission data in spectral ranges relevant to the Raman (SRS) and Two-Plasmon Decay (TPD) instabilities. The primary diagnostics were time-resolved spectrometers with an absolute-intensity-calibrated photodiode array in (0.4˜0.8)φ0 and a streak camera near 0.5φ0. The measurements were conducted at laser intensities of 10^15˜10^16 W/cm^2 on planar targets of CH solids and RF foams.

  19. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holmlid, Leif, E-mail: holmlid@chem.gu.se

    Previous results from laser-induced processes in ultra-dense deuterium D(0) give conclusive evidence for ejection of neutral massive particles with energy >10 MeV u{sup −1}. Such particles can only be formed from nuclear processes like nuclear fusion at the low laser intensity used. Heat generation is of interest for future fusion energy applications and has now been measured by a small copper (Cu) cylinder surrounding the laser target. The temperature rise of the Cu cylinder is measured with an NTC resistor during around 5000 laser shots per measured point. No heating in the apparatus or the gas feed is normally used.more » The fusion process is suboptimal relative to previously published studies by a factor of around 10. The small neutral particles H{sub N}(0) of ultra-dense hydrogen (size of a few pm) escape with a substantial fraction of the energy. Heat loss to the D{sub 2} gas (at <1 mbar pressure) is measured and compensated for under various conditions. Heat release of a few W is observed, at up to 50% higher energy than the total laser input thus a gain of 1.5. This is uniquely high for the use of deuterium as fusion fuel. With a slightly different setup, a thermal gain of 2 is reached, thus clearly above break-even for all neutronicity values possible. Also including the large kinetic energy which is directly measured for MeV particles leaving through a small opening gives a gain of 2.3. Taking into account the lower efficiency now due to the suboptimal fusion process, previous studies indicate a gain of at least 20 during long periods.« less

  20. Thermomagnetic recording and magneto-optic playback system having constant intensity laser beam control

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lewicki, G. W.; Guisinger, J. E. (Inventor)

    1973-01-01

    A system is developed for maintaining the intensity of a laser beam at a constant level in a thermomagnetic recording and magneto-optic playback system in which an isotropic film is heated along a continuous path by the laser beam for recording. As each successive area of the path is heated locally to the vicinity of its Curie point in the presence of a controlled magnetic field, a magneto-optic density is produced proportional to the amplitude of the controlled magnetic field. To play back the recorded signal, the intensity of the laser beam is reduced and a Faraday or Kerr effect analyzer is used, with a photodetector, as a transducer for producing an output signal.

  1. Effects of Higher-Order Relativistic Nonlinearity and Wakefield During a Moderately Intense Laser Pulse Propagation in a Plasma Channel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Ming-Ping; Liu, Bing-Bing; Liu, San-Qiu; Zhang, Fu-Yang; Liu, Jie

    2013-08-01

    Using a variational approach, the propagation of a moderately intense laser pulse in a parabolic preformed plasma channel is investigated. The effects of higher-order relativistic nonlinearity (HRN) and wakefield are included. The effect of HRN serves as an additional defocusing mechanism and has the same order of magnitude in the spot size as that of the transverse wakefield (TWF). The effect of longitudinal wakefield is much larger than those of HRN and TWF for an intense laser pulse with the pulse length equaling the plasma wavelength. The catastrophic focusing of the laser spot size would be prevented in the present of HRN and then it varies with periodic focusing oscillations.

  2. HD{sup +} in a short strong laser pulse: Practical consideration of the observability of carrier-envelope phase effects

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Roudnev, V.; Esry, B. D.

    2007-08-15

    We summarize the results of numerical calculations of HD{sup +} in a 7.1 fs (intensity full width at half maximum) 790 nm laser pulse. The molecule is assumed to be aligned with the linearly polarized laser field and includes two electronic and one nuclear degrees of freedom. We report total dissociation and ionization probabilities from the lowest 10 vibrational states for a range of intensities from 10{sup 13} to 7x10{sup 14} W/cm{sup 2}. The conditions for the observability of carrier-envelope phase (CEP) effects for a mixed initial state and for intensity averaging over the laser focal volume are discussed inmore » detail.« less

  3. LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Methods of computational physics in the problem of mathematical interpretation of laser investigations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brodyn, M. S.; Starkov, V. N.

    2007-07-01

    It is shown that in laser experiments performed by using an 'imperfect' setup when instrumental distortions are considerable, sufficiently accurate results can be obtained by the modern methods of computational physics. It is found for the first time that a new instrumental function — the 'cap' function — a 'sister' of a Gaussian curve proved to be demanded namely in laser experiments. A new mathematical model of a measurement path and carefully performed computational experiment show that a light beam transmitted through a mesoporous film has actually a narrower intensity distribution than the detected beam, and the amplitude of the real intensity distribution is twice as large as that for measured intensity distributions.

  4. Low intensity red laser action on Escherichia coli cultures submitted to stress conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Santos, J. N.; Roos, C.; Barboza, L. L.; Paoli, F.; Fonseca, A. S.

    2014-12-01

    Clinical applications of low intensity lasers are based on the biostimulation effect and considered to occur mainly at cells under stressful conditions. Also, although the cytochrome is a chromophore to red and near infrared radiations, there are doubts whether indirect effects of these radiations could occur on the DNA molecule by oxidative mechanisms. Thus, this work evaluated the survival, filamentation and morphology of Escherichia coli cultures proficient and deficient in oxidative DNA damage repair exposed to low intensity red laser under stress conditions. Wild type and endonuclease III deficient E. coli cells were exposed to laser (658 nm, 1 and 8 J cm-2) under hyposmotic stress and bacterial survival, filamentation and cell morphology were evaluated. Laser exposure: (i) does not alter the bacterial survival in 0.9% NaCl, but increases the survival of wild type and decreases the survival of endonuclease III deficient cells under hyposmotic stress; (ii) increases filamentation in 0.9% NaCl but decreases in wild type and increases in endonuclease III deficient cells under hyposmotic stress; (iii) decreases the area and perimeter of wild type, does not alter these parameters in endonuclease III deficient cells under hyposmotic stress but increases the area of these in 0.9% NaCl. Low intensity red laser exposure has different effects on survival, filamentation phenotype and morphology of wild type and endonuclease III deficient cells under hyposmotic stress. Thus, our results suggest that therapies based on low intensity red lasers could take into account physiologic conditions and genetic characteristics of cells.

  5. Molecular mechanism of biological and therapeutical effect of low-intensity laser irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mostovnikov, Vasili A.; Mostovnikova, Galina R.; Plavski, Vitali Y.; Plavskaja, Ljudmila G.; Morozova, Raisa P.

    1995-05-01

    The investigations carried out in our group on biological systems of various organization level (enzyme molecules in solution, human and animal cell cultures), allowed us to conclude, that the light-induced changes of spatial structure of cells components form the basis of biological activity (and as a consequence therapeutic effect) of various wavelength low-intensity laser emission. Photophysical mechanism of these changes lies in the reorientation of highregulated anisotropic parts (domains) with the liquid-crystalline type of ordering of the cell components due to the interaction between the electric field and the light induced integral electric dipole of the domain. The mechanism of such reorientation is well established in physics of liquid crystals of nematic type and is known as light induced analogue of Frederix's effect. The following results enable us to draw the conclusion about the determining role of the orientations effects on the biological activity mechanism of low-intensity laser radiation: (i) the possibility of reversible modification of spatial structure and enzyme molecules functional activity under the influence of laser radiation outside the band of their own or admixture absorption; (ii) the dependence of biological effect of laser radiation on the functional activity of cells vs. polarization degree of the light with the maximum photobiological effects observed for linear-polarized radiation; (iii) the equivalence of a static magnetic field and low-intensity laser radiation in action on functional activity of the cells and the lowering of the laser field intensity for the achieving the difinite changes of the cell functional activity in the presence of static magnetic field.

  6. Biophysical principles of regulatory action of low-intensity laser irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mostovnikov, Vasili A.; Mostovnikova, Galina R.; Plavski, Vitali Y.; Plavskaja, Ljudmila G.

    1996-01-01

    The investigations carried out in our group on biological systems of various organization level (enzyme molecules in solution, human and animal cell cultures), allowed us to conclude, that the light-induced changes of spatial structure of cells components form the basis of biological activity (and as a consequence therapeutic effect) of various wavelength low-intensity laser emission. Photophysical mechanism of these changes lies in the reorientation of highregulated anisotropic parts (domains) with the liquid-crystalline type of ordering of the cell components due to the interaction between the electric field and the light induced integral electric dipole of the domain. The mechanism of such reorientation is well established in physics of liquid crystals of nematic type and is known as light induced analogue of Frederix's effect. The following results enable us to draw the conclusion about the determining role of the orientations effects on the biological activity mechanism of low-intensity laser radiation: (1) the possibility of reversible modification of spatial structure and enzyme molecules functional activity under the influence of laser radiation outside the band of their own or admixture absorption; (2) the dependence of biological effect of laser radiation on the functional activity of cells vs. polarization degree of the light with the maximum photobiological effects observed for linear-polarized radiation; (3) the equivalence of a static magnetic field and low-intensity laser radiation in action on functional activity of the cells and the lowering of the laser field intensity for the achieving the definite changes of the cell functional activity in the presence of static magnetic field.

  7. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Michel, D. T.; Maximov, A. V.; Short, R. W.

    The fraction of laser energy converted into hot electrons by the two-plasmon-decay instability is found to have different overlapped intensity thresholds for various configurations on the Omega Laser Facility [T. R. Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997); J. H. Kelly et al., J. Phys. IV 133, 75 (2006)]. A factor-of-2 difference in the overlapped intensity threshold is observed between two- and four-beam configurations. The overlapped intensity threshold increases by a factor of 2 between the 4- and 18-beam configurations and by a factor of 3 between the 4- and 60-beam configurations. This is explained by a linear common-wavemore » model where multiple laser beams drive a common electron-plasma wave in a wavevector region that bisects the laser beams (resonant common-wave region in k-space). These experimental results indicate that the hot-electron threshold depends on the hydrodynamic parameters at the quarter-critical density surface, the configuration of the laser beams, and the sum of the intensity of the beams that share the same angle with the common-wave vector.« less

  8. Kinetic study of terahertz generation based on the interaction of two-color ultra-short laser pulses with molecular hydrogen gas

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Soltani Gishini, M. S.; Ganjovi, A., E-mail: Ganjovi@kgut.ac.ir; Saeed, M.

    In this work, using a two dimensional particle in cell-Monte Carlo collision simulation scheme, interaction of two-color ultra-short laser pulses with the molecular hydrogen gas (H{sub 2}) is examined. The operational laser parameters, i.e., its pulse shape, duration, and waist, are changed and, their effects on the density and kinetic energy of generated electrons, THz electric field, intensity, and spectrum are studied. It is seen that the best pulse shape generating the THz signal radiation with the highest intensity is a trapezoidal pulse, and the intensity of generated THz radiation is increased at the higher pulse durations and waists. Formore » all the operational laser parameters, the maximum value of emitted THz signal frequency always remains lower than 5 THz. The intensity of applied laser pulses is taken about 10{sup 14} w/cm{sup 2}, and it is observed that while a small portion of the gaseous media gets ionized, the radiated THz signal is significant.« less

  9. Measuring the Dispersion in Laser Cavity Mirrors using White-Light Interferometry

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2008-03-01

    mirrors. Two AlGaInP (aluminum gallium indium phosphide ) diode lasers are aligned such that one is polarized vertically while one is polarized...linear crystals, where the index of refraction depends on beam intensity. Short pulses with high peak intensities are well 14 suited to induce the...MEASURING THE DISPERSION OF LASER CAVITY MIRRORS USING WHITE-LIGHT INTERFEROMETRY THESIS Allison S

  10. Ultra-bright γ-ray emission and dense positron production from two laser-driven colliding foils.

    PubMed

    Li, Han-Zhen; Yu, Tong-Pu; Liu, Jin-Jin; Yin, Yan; Zhu, Xing-Long; Capdessus, Remi; Pegoraro, Francesco; Sheng, Zheng-Ming; McKenna, Paul; Shao, Fu-Qiu

    2017-12-11

    Matter can be transferred into energy and the opposite transformation is also possible by use of high-power lasers. A laser pulse in plasma can convert its energy into γ-rays and then e - e + pairs via the multi-photon Breit-Wheeler process. Production of dense positrons at GeV energies is very challenging since extremely high laser intensity ~10 24  Wcm -2 is required. Here we propose an all-optical scheme for ultra-bright γ-ray emission and dense positron production with lasers at intensity of 10 22-23  Wcm -2 . By irradiating two colliding elliptically-polarized lasers onto two diamondlike carbon foils, electrons in the focal region of one foil are rapidly accelerated by the laser radiation pressure and interact with the other intense laser pulse which penetrates through the second foil due to relativistically induced foil transparency. This symmetric configuration enables efficient Compton back-scattering and results in ultra-bright γ-photon emission with brightness of ~10 25 photons/s/mm 2 /mrad 2 /0.1%BW at 15 MeV and intensity of 5 × 10 23  Wcm -2 . Our first three-dimensional simulation with quantum-electrodynamics incorporated shows that a GeV positron beam with density of 2.5 × 10 22 cm -3 and flux of 1.6 × 10 10 /shot is achieved. Collective effects of the pair plasma may be also triggered, offering a window on investigating laboratory astrophysics at PW laser facilities.

  11. Matching the laser wavelength to the absorption properties of matrices increases the ion yield in UV-MALDI mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Wiegelmann, Marcel; Soltwisch, Jens; Jaskolla, Thorsten W; Dreisewerd, Klaus

    2013-09-01

    A high analytical sensitivity in ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is only achieved if the laser wavelength corresponds to a high optical absorption of the matrix. Laser fluence and the physicochemical properties of the compounds, e.g., the proton affinity, also influence analytical sensitivity significantly. In combination, these parameters determine the amount of material ejected per laser pulse and the ion yield, i.e., the fraction of ionized biomolecules. Here, we recorded peptide ion signal intensities as a function of these parameters. Three cinnamic acid matrices were investigated: α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, α-cyano-4-chlorocinnamic acid, and α-cyano-2,4-difluorocinnamic acid. In addition, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid was used in comparison experiments. Ion signal intensities "per laser shot" and integrated ion signal intensities were acquired over 900 consecutive laser pulses applied on distinct positions on the dried-droplet sample preparations. With respect to laser wavelength, the two standard MALDI wavelengths of 337/355 nm were investigated. Also, 305 or 320 nm was selected to account for the blue-shifted absorption profiles of the halogenated derivatives. Maximal peptide ion intensities were obtained if the laser wavelength fell within the peak of the absorption profile of the compound and for fluences two to three times the corresponding ion detection threshold. The results indicate ways for improving the analytical sensitivity in MALDI-MS, and in particular for MALDI-MS imaging applications where a limited amount of material is available per irradiated pixel.

  12. Electron Acceleration by Beating of Two Intense Cross-Focused Hollow Gaussian Laser Beams in Plasma

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahmoud, Saleh T.; Gauniyal, Rakhi; Ahmad, Nafis; Rawat, Priyanka; Purohit, Gunjan

    2018-01-01

    This paper presents propagation of two cross-focused intense hollow Gaussian laser beams (HGBs) in collisionless plasma and its effect on the generation of electron plasma wave (EPW) and electron acceleration process, when relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities are simultaneously operative. Nonlinear differential equations have been set up for beamwidth of laser beams, power of generated EPW, and energy gain by electrons using WKB and paraxial approximations. Numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the effect of typical laser-plasma parameters on the focusing of laser beams in plasmas and further its effect on power of excited EPW and acceleration of electrons. It is observed that focusing of two laser beams in plasma increases for higher order of hollow Gaussian beams, which significantly enhanced the power of generated EPW and energy gain. The amplitude of EPW and energy gain by electrons is found to enhance with an increase in the intensity of laser beams and plasma density. This study will be useful to plasma beat wave accelerator and in other applications requiring multiple laser beams. Supported by United Arab Emirates University for Financial under Grant No. UPAR (2014)-31S164

  13. Investigating MALDI MSI parameters (Part 1) - A systematic survey of the effects of repetition rates up to 20kHz in continuous raster mode.

    PubMed

    Steven, Rory T; Dexter, Alex; Bunch, Josephine

    2016-07-15

    Recent developments in laser performance, combined with the desire for increases in detected ion intensity and throughput, have led to the adoption of high repetition-rate diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Previous studies have demonstrated a more complex relationship between detected ion intensity, stage raster speed and laser pulse repetition rate than the simple linear relationship between number of pulses and detected ion intensity that might be expected. Here we report, for the first time, the interrelated influence of varying laser energy, repetition rate and stage raster speed on detected ion intensity. Thin films of PC 34:1 lipid standard and murine brain tissue with CHCA are analysed by continuous stage raster MALDI MSI. Contrary to previous reports, the optimum laser repetition rate is found to be dependent on both laser energy and stage raster speed and is found to be as high as 20kHz under some conditions. The effects of different repetition rates and raster speeds are also found to vary for different ion species within MALDI MSI of tissue and so may be significant when either targeting specific molecules or seeking to minimize bias. A clear dependence on time between laser pulses is also observed indicating the underlying mechanisms may be related to on-plate hysteresis-exhibiting processes such as matrix chemical modification. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Feasibility of laser-integrated high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for bladder tumors: in vitro study (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nguyen, Van Phuc; Park, Suhyun; Oh, Junghwan; Kang, Hyun Wook

    2016-02-01

    Previous studies have shown that photothemal therapy combined with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can provide a promising method to achieve rapid thermal coagulation during surgical procedures. The current study investigated the feasibility of the laser-integrated high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) application to treat bladder tumors by enhancing thermal effects and therapeutic depth in vitro. To generate thermal coagulation, a single element HIFU transducer with a central frequency of 2.0 MHz was used to transmit acoustic energy to 15 fresh porcine bladders injected with an artificial tumor (100 µl gelatin and hemoglobin solution) in vitro. Simultaneously, an 80-W 532-nm laser system was also implemented to induce thermal necrosis in the targeted tissue. The intensity of 570 W/cm2 at the focus of HIFU and laser energy of 0.9 W were applied to all the samples for 40 s. The temperature rise increased up to about 1.6 or 3 folds (i.e., ΔT=32±3.8 K for laser-integrated HIFU, ΔT=20±6.5 K for HIFU only, and ΔT=11±5.6 K for laser only). The estimated lesion depth also increased by 1.3 and 2 folds during the dual-thermal treatment, in comparison with the treatment by either HIFU or laser. The results indicated that the laser-integrated HIFU treatment can be an efficient hyperthermic method for tumor coagulation.

  15. Depth of penetration of a 785nm wavelength laser in food powders

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chao, Kuanglin; Dhakal, Sagar; Qin, Jianwei; Kim, Moon S.; Peng, Yankun; Schmidt, Walter F.

    2015-05-01

    Raman spectroscopy is a useful, rapid, and non-destructive method for both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of chemical composition. However it is important to measure the depth of penetration of the laser light to ensure that chemical particles at the very bottom of a sample volume is detected by Raman system. The aim of this study was to investigate the penetration depth of a 785nm laser (maximum power output 400mw) into three different food powders, namely dry milk powder, corn starch, and wheat flour. The food powders were layered in 5 depths between 1 and 5 mm overtop a Petri dish packed with melamine. Melamine was used as the subsurface reference material for measurement because melamine exhibits known and identifiable Raman spectral peaks. Analysis of the sample spectra for characteristics of melamine and characteristics of milk, starch and flour allowed determination of the effective penetration depth of the laser light in the samples. Three laser intensities (100, 200 and 300mw) were used to study the effect of laser intensity to depth of penetration. It was observed that 785nm laser source was able to easily penetrate through every point in all three food samples types at 1mm depth. However, the number of points that the laser could penetrate decreased with increasing depth of the food powder. ANOVA test was carried out to study the significant effect of laser intensity to depth of penetration. It was observed that laser intensity significantly influences the depth of penetration. The outcome of this study will be used in our next phase of study to detect different chemical contaminants in food powders and develop quantitative analysis models for detection of chemical contaminants.

  16. Maskless Lithography Using Negative Photoresist Material: Impact of UV Laser Intensity on the Cured Line Width

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mohammed, Mohammed Ziauddin; Mourad, Abdel-Hamid I.; Khashan, Saud A.

    2018-06-01

    The application of maskless lithography technique on negative photoresist material is investigated in this study. The equipment used in this work is designed and built especially for maskless lithography applications. The UV laser of 405 nm wavelength with 0.85 Numerical Aperture is selected for direct laser writing. All the samples are prepared on a glass substrate. Samples are tested at different UV laser intensities and different stage velocities in order to study the impact on patterned line width. Three cases of spin coated layers of thickness 90 μm, 40 μm, and 28 μm on the substrate are studied. The experimental results show that line width has a generally increasing trend with intensity. However, a decreasing trend was observed for increasing velocity. The overall performance shows that the mr-DWL material is suitable for direct laser writing systems.

  17. Terahertz generation from laser-driven ultrafast current propagation along a wire target.

    PubMed

    Zhuo, H B; Zhang, S J; Li, X H; Zhou, H Y; Li, X Z; Zou, D B; Yu, M Y; Wu, H C; Sheng, Z M; Zhou, C T

    2017-01-01

    Generation of intense coherent THz radiation by obliquely incidenting an intense laser pulse on a wire target is studied using particle-in-cell simulation. The laser-accelerated fast electrons are confined and guided along the surface of the wire, which then acts like a current-carrying line antenna and under appropriate conditions can emit electromagnetic radiation in the THz regime. For a driving laser intensity ∼3×10^{18}W/cm^{2} and pulse duration ∼10 fs, a transient current above 10 KA is produced on the wire surface. The emission-cone angle of the resulting ∼0.15 mJ (∼58 GV/m peak electric field) THz radiation is ∼30^{∘}. The conversion efficiency of laser-to-THz energy is ∼0.75%. A simple analytical model that well reproduces the simulated result is presented.

  18. Laser-driven collimated tens-GeV monoenergetic protons from mass-limited target plus preformed channel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zheng, F. L.; Wu, S. Z.; Wu, H. C.; Zhou, C. T.; Cai, H. B.; Yu, M. Y.; Tajima, T.; Yan, X. Q.; He, X. T.

    2013-01-01

    Proton acceleration by ultra-intense laser pulse irradiating a target with cross-section smaller than the laser spot size and connected to a parabolic density channel is investigated. The target splits the laser into two parallel propagating parts, which snowplow the back-side plasma electrons along their paths, creating two adjacent parallel wakes and an intense return current in the gap between them. The radiation-pressure pre-accelerated target protons trapped in the wake fields now undergo acceleration as well as collimation by the quasistatic wake electrostatic and magnetic fields. Particle-in-cell simulations show that stable long-distance acceleration can be realized, and a 30 fs monoenergetic ion beam of >10 GeV peak energy and <2° divergence can be produced by a circularly polarized laser pulse at an intensity of about 1022 W/cm2.

  19. Maskless Lithography Using Negative Photoresist Material: Impact of UV Laser Intensity on the Cured Line Width

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mohammed, Mohammed Ziauddin; Mourad, Abdel-Hamid I.; Khashan, Saud A.

    2018-04-01

    The application of maskless lithography technique on negative photoresist material is investigated in this study. The equipment used in this work is designed and built especially for maskless lithography applications. The UV laser of 405 nm wavelength with 0.85 Numerical Aperture is selected for direct laser writing. All the samples are prepared on a glass substrate. Samples are tested at different UV laser intensities and different stage velocities in order to study the impact on patterned line width. Three cases of spin coated layers of thickness 90 μm, 40 μm, and 28 μm on the substrate are studied. The experimental results show that line width has a generally increasing trend with intensity. However, a decreasing trend was observed for increasing velocity. The overall performance shows that the mr-DWL material is suitable for direct laser writing systems.

  20. Flying relativistic mirrors for nonlinear QED studies.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bulanov, Stepan; Schroeder, Carl; Esarey, Eric; Leemans, Wim

    2017-10-01

    Recent progress in laser technology has led to a dramatic increase of laser power and intensity. As a result, the laser-matter interaction will happen in the radiation dominated regimes. In a strong electromagnetic field, electrons can be accelerated to such high velocities that the radiation reaction starts to play an important role. The radiation effects change drastically the laser-plasma interaction leading to fast energy losses. Moreover, previously unexplored regimes of the interaction will be entered into, in which quantum electrodynamics (QED) can occur. Depending on the laser intensity and wavelength, either classical or quantum mode of radiation reaction prevail. In order to study different regimes of interaction as well as the transition from one into another the utilization of flying relativistic mirrors, which can generate electromagnetic pulses with varying frequency and intensity, is proposed. The scheme is demonstrated for multiphoton Compton scattering. Work supported by U.S. DOE under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

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