Atmospheric propagation of high power laser radiation at different weather conditions

Carsten Pargmann; Thomas Hall; Frank Duschek; Jürgen Handke

doi:10.1117/12.2223718

13 May 2016 Atmospheric propagation of high power laser radiation at different weather conditions

Carsten Pargmann, Thomas Hall, Frank Duschek, Jürgen Handke

Proceedings Volume 9833, Atmospheric Propagation XIII; 983302 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2223718
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2016, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

Applications based on the propagation of high power laser radiation through the atmosphere are limited in range and effect, due to weather dependent beam wandering, beam deterioration, and scattering processes. Security and defense related application examples are countermeasures against hostile projectiles and the powering of satellites and aircrafts. For an examination of the correlations between weather condition and laser beam characteristics DLR operates at Lampoldshausen a 130 m long free transmission laser test range. Sensors around this test range continuously monitor turbulence strength, visibility, precipitation, temperature, and wind speed. High power laser radiation is obtained by a TruDisk 6001 disk laser (Trumpf company) yielding a maximum output power of 6 kW at a wavelength of 1030 nm. The laser beam is expanded to 180 mm and focused along the beam path. Power and intensity distribution are measured before and after propagation, providing information about the atmospheric transmission and alterations of diameter and position of the laser beam. Backscattered laser light is acquired by a photo receiver. As a result, measurements performed at different weather conditions show a couple of correlations to the characteristics of the laser beam. The experimental results are compared to a numerical analysis. The calculations are based on the Maxwell wave equation in Fresnel approximation. The turbulence is considered by the introduction of phase screens and the “von Karman” spectrum.

Citation Download Citation

Carsten Pargmann, Thomas Hall, Frank Duschek, and Jürgen Handke "Atmospheric propagation of high power laser radiation at different weather conditions", Proc. SPIE 9833, Atmospheric Propagation XIII, 983302 (13 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2223718

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available