Abstract

Precision irradiance profiles have been determined for horizontally slewing high power laser beams through stationary absorbing gaseous media for the case of strong beam–medium interaction coupled with strong heating. Results are compared with the predictions of existing theoretical models concerning thermally induced lens effects in the presence of cross winds. Bending of the beam into the wind by beam slewing and intensification is found in reasonable agreement with the theory; for the observed overall beam spread, induced flow, turbulent tail, and concomitant beam breakup, no satisfactory theoretical treatment is available.

© 1973 Optical Society of America

Thermally Induced Nonlinear Propagation of a Laser Beam in an Absorbing Fluid Medium

Luc R. Bissonnette
Appl. Opt. 12(4) 719-728 (1973)

Turbulence Effects on Thermal Blooming

Frederick G. Gebhardt, David C. Smith, Rudolph G. Buser, and Robert S. Rohde
Appl. Opt. 12(8) 1794-1805 (1973)

Effects of the Atmosphere on the Propagation of 10.6-μ Laser Beams

J. N. Hayes, P. B. Ulrich, and A. H. Aitken
Appl. Opt. 11(2) 257-260 (1972)

Thermally Induced Modifications of a High Power cw Laser Beam

P. M. Livingston
Appl. Opt. 10(2) 426-436 (1971)

Propagation of a 10.6-μ, Laser Through a Cloud Including Droplet Vaporization

S. L. Glickler
Appl. Opt. 10(3) 644-650 (1971)