Technique for diagnosing x-ray laser beam quality by use of the moire signal

We present what we believe is a novel technique based on the moire effect for fully diagnosing the beam quality of an x-ray laser. Using Fresnel diffraction theory, we investigated the intensity profile of the moire pattern when a general paraxial beam illuminates a pair of Ronchi gratings in the quasi-far field. Two formulas were derived to determine the beam quality factor M-2 and the effective radius of curvature R-e from the moire pattern. On the basis of the results, the far-field divergence, the waist location, and the radius can be calculated further. Finally, we verified the approach by use of numerical simulation. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America [S0740-3232(99)01502-1].

Laser beam automatic alignment in multipass amplifier

A laser beam automatic alignment system is applied in a multipass amplifier of the SG-III prototype laser. Considering the requirements of the SG-III prototype facility, by combining the general techniques of the laser beam automatic alignment system, according to the image relayed of the pinholes in the spatial filter, and utilizing the optical position and the spatial distribution of the four pinholes of the main spatial filter in the multipass amplifier of the SG-III prototype, a reasonable and optimized scheme for automatic aligning multipass beam paths is presented. It is demonstrated on the multipass amplifier experimental system. (C) 2004 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Coupling efficiency of laser beam to multimode fiber

The coupling efficiency of laser beam to multimode fiber is given by geometrical optics, and the relation between the maximum coupling efficiency and the beam propagation factor M-2 is analyzed. An equivalent factor M-F(2) for the multimode fiber is introduced to characterize the fiber coupling capability. The coupling efficiency of laser beam to multimode fiber is calculated in respect of the ratio M-2/M-F(2) by the overlapping integral theory. The optimal coupling efficiency can be roughly estimated by the ratio of M-2 to M-F(2) but with a large error range. The deviation comes from the lacks of information on the detail of phase and intensity profile in the beam factor M-2. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Self-organized microvoid array perpendicular to the femtosecond laser beam in CaF2 crystals

Microvoid arrays were self-organized when femtosecond laser beam was tightly focused at a fixed point inside CaF2 crystal sample. Except void array grown below the focal point which had been reported before, we found another void array grown vertical to the laser propagation direction. This result has potential application in the fabrication of integrated micro-optic elements and photonic crystals. The possible mechanism of the phenomenon was proposed and verified experimentally.

In process laser beam diagnostics (403)

Laser beam diagnosis is usually carried out off-line in order to minimise the disruption to the process being carried out. This paper presents the results of a fractional sampling device for a high power beam diagnosis system capable of measuring in process beam properties such as beam diameter, intensity and beam position. The paper discusses the application of this sampling technique for monitoring beam properties during the laser materials processing operation.

In process laser beam diagnostics (403)

Laser beam diagnosis is usually carried out off-line in order to minimise the disruption to the process being carried out. This paper presents the results of a fractional sampling device for a high power beam diagnosis system capable of measuring in process beam properties such as beam diameter, intensity and beam position. The paper discusses the application of this sampling technique for monitoring beam properties during the laser materials processing operation.

Characteristics of the conductive polyimide film surfaces induced by ultraviolet laser beam

A conducting layer with the conductivity of 1.2 Omega(-1)cm(-1) stripped in a solvent from KrF-laser-irradiated polyimide thin film is taken as a sample to determine the microstructure of the conducting layer. Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies show the formation of the carbon-rich clusters after irradiation. The element analysis gives the atomic ratio of C:H:N:O for the carbon-rich cluster as 60:20:3:1. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction indicates that the conducting layer is mainly amorphous carbon with a small amount of the short-range ordered carbon-rich clusters. This study suggests a structural model with three-layer carbon sheets linked together in a random fashion for the short-range ordered carbon-rich clusters. The interplanar spacing is 3.87 Angstrom and the layer diameter 25 Angstrom. The transport model of variable-range hopping in three dimensions is used to explain the conducting behavior of the conducting layer. In our case, the short-range ordered carbon-rich clusters are assumed to be conducting islands dispersed in the amorphous carbon-rich cluster matrix.

Modified stiffened panel analysis methods for laser beam and friction stir welded aircraft panels

The introduction of advanced welding methods as an alternative joining process to riveting in the manufacture of primary aircraft structure has the potential to realize reductions in both manufacturing costs and structural weight. Current design and analysis methods for aircraft panels have been developed and validated for riveted fabrication. For welded panels, considering the buckling collapse design philosophy of aircraft stiffened panels, strength prediction methods considering welding process effects for both local-buckling and post-buckling behaviours must be developed and validated. This article reports on the work undertaken to develop analysis methods for the crippling failure of stiffened panels fabricated using laser beam and friction stir welding. The work assesses modifications to conventional analysis methods and finite-element analysis methods for strength prediction. The analysis work is validated experimentally with welded single stiffener crippling specimens. The experimental programme has demonstrated the potential static strength of laser beam and friction stir welded sheet-stiffener joints for post-buckling panel applications. The work undertaken has demonstrated that the crippling behaviour of welded stiffened panels may be analysed considering standard-buckling behaviour. However, stiffened panel buckling analysis procedures must be altered to account for the weld joint geometry and process altered material properties. © IMechE 2006.

Spatial evolution of a q-Gaussian laser beam in relativistic plasma

In a recent experimental study, the beam intensity profile of the Vulcan petawatt laser beam was measured; it was found that only 20% of the energy was contained within the full width at half maximum of 6.9 mu m and 50% within 16 mu m, suggesting a long-tailed non-Gaussian transverse beam profile. A q-Gaussian distribution function was suggested therein to reproduce this behavior. The spatial beam profile dynamics of a q-Gaussian laser beam propagating in relativistic plasma is investigated in this article. A non-paraxial theory is employed, taking into account nonlinearity via the relativistic decrease of the plasma frequency. We have studied analytically and numerically the dynamics of a relativistically guided beam and its dependence on the q-parameter. Numerical simulation results are shown to trace the dependence of the focusing length on the q-Gaussian profile.

A preliminary structural design procedure for laser beam welded airframe stiffened panels

Initial sizing procedures for aircraft stiffened panels that include the influence of welding fabrication residual process effects are missing. Herein, experimental and Finite Element analyses are coupled to generate knowledge to formulate an accurate and computationally efficient sizing procedure which will enable designers to routinely consider panel fabrication, via welding, accounting for the complex distortions and stresses induced by this manufacturing process. Validating experimental results demonstrate the need to consider welding induced material property degradation, residual stresses and distortions, as these can reduce static strength performance. However, results from fuselage and wing trade-studies, using the validated sizing procedure, establish that these potential reductions in strength performance may be overcome through local geometric tailoring during initial sizing, negating any weight penalty for the majority of design scenarios.

Use of a random phase plate as a KrF laser beam homogenizer for thin film deposition applications

Fabrication of devices based on thin film structures deposited using the pulsed laser deposition technique relies on reproducibility and control of deposition rates over substrate areas as large as possible. Here we present an application of the random phase plate technique to smooth and homogenize the intensity distribution of a KrF laser footprint on the surface of a target which is to be ablated. It is demonstrated that intensity distributions over millimeter-sized spots on the target can be made insensitive to the typical changes that occur in the near-field intensity distribution of the ultraviolet output from a KrF laser. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(99)02504-6].