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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Helium in chirped laser fields as a time-asymmetric atomic switch

Tuning the laser parameters exceptional points in the spectrum of the dressed laser helium atom are obtained. The weak linearly polarized laser couples the ground state and the doubly excited P-states of helium. We show here that for specific chirped laser pulses that encircle an exceptional point one can get the time-asymmetric phenomenon, where for a negative chirped laser pulse the ground state is transformed into the doubly excited auto-ionization state, while for a positive chirped laser pulse the resonance state is not populated and the neutral helium atoms remains in the ground state as the laser pulse is turned off. Moreover, we show that the results are very sensitive to the closed contour we choose. This time-asymmetric state exchange phenomenon can be considered as a time-asymmetric atomic switch. The optimal time-asymmetric switch is obtained when the closed loop that encircles the exceptional point is large, while for the smallest loops, the time-asymmetric phenomenon does not take place. A systematic way for studying the effect of the chosen closed contour that encircles the exceptional point on the time-asymmetric phenomenon is proposed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fine tunable red-green upconversion luminescence from glass ceramic containing 5%Er{sup 3+}:NaYF{sub 4} nanocrystals under excitation of two near infrared femtosecond lasers

In this paper, we report fine tunable red-green upconversion luminescence of glass ceramic containing 5%Er{sup 3+}: NaYF{sub 4} nanocrystals excited simultaneously by two near infrared femtosecond lasers. When the glass ceramic was irradiated by 800 nm femtosecond laser, weak red emission centered at 670 nm was detected. Bright red light was observed when the fs laser wavelength was tuned to 1490 nm. However, when excited by the two fs lasers simultaneously, the sample emitted bright green light centered at 550 nm, while the red light kept the same intensity. The dependences of the red and the green light intensities on the two pump lasers are much different, which enables us to manipulate the color emission by adjusting the two pump laser intensities, respectively. We present a theoretical model of Er{sup 3+} ions interacting with two fs laser fields, and explain well the experimental results.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

The behavior of the electron plasma boundary in ultraintense laser–highly overdense plasma interaction

The structural stability of the laser/plasma interaction is discussed, for the case of a linearly polarized laser beam interacting with a solid at normal incidence. Using a semi-analytical cold fluid model, the dynamics of the electron plasma boundary (EPB), usually related to the high-order harmonic generation and laser absorption, are presented. While the well-known J × B plasma oscillations at two times the laser frequency are recovered by the model, several other periodic in time stable solutions exist for exactly the same value of the physical parameters. This novel behavior highlights the importance of the laser pulse history among other factors. Some important features, such as the synchronization between the incident laser and the EPB oscillation, depend on the solution under consideration. A description of the possible types of stable oscillations in a parametric plane involving plasma density and laser amplitude is presented. The semi-analytical model is compared with particle-in-cell and semi-Lagrangian Vlasov simulations. They show that, among all the stable solutions, the plasma preferentially evolves to a state with the EPB oscillating twice faster than the laser. The effect of the plasma temperature and the existence of a ramp in the ion density profile are also discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spectroscopic studies of magnesium plasma produced by fundamental and second harmonics of Nd:YAG laser

In the present experimental work, laser induced magnesium plasma has been characterized using plasma parameters. The plasma has been generated by the fundamental (1064 nm) and second harmonics (532 nm) of Nd:YAG laser. The plasma parameters such as electron temperature and electron number density have been extracted using Boltzmann plot method and Stark broadened line profile, respectively. The laser irradiance dependence and spatial behavior of electron temperature and number density in laser induced magnesium plasma have been studied. The electron temperature as a function of laser irradiance (0.5 to 6.5 GW/cm{sup 2}) ranges from (9.16–10.37) × 10{sup 3 }K and (8.5–10.1)× 10{sup 3 }K, and electron number density from (0.99–1.08) × 10{sup 16} cm{sup −3} and (1.04–1.22) × 10{sup 16}cm{sup −3} for 1064 and 532 nm, respectively. These parameters exhibit fast increase at low laser irradiance and slow increase at high irradiance. The spatial distribution of electron temperature and electron number density shows same decreasing trend up to 2.25 mm from the target surface. The electron temperature and number density decrease from (9.5–8.6) × 10{sup 3 }K, (1.27–1.15) × 10{sup 16}cm{sup −3} and (10.56–8.85)× 10{sup 3 }K, (1.08–0.99) × 10{sup 16} cm{sup −3} for 532 nm and 1064 nm laser ablation wavelengths, respectively.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhancement of stability of aqueous suspension of alumina nanoparticles by femtosecond laser irradiation

In this work, we report substantially enhanced colloidal stability of aqueous nanoparticle suspensions by ultrashort laser pulse irradiation. A Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser (wavelength: 800 nm; pulse duration: 50 fs at full width at half maximum) was used to modify the electrochemical properties of nanoparticle suspensions at laser fluences below the particle ablation threshold. The colloidal stability of the suspension was evaluated by zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The DLS results along with the images from transmission electron microscopy revealed that the laser irradiation caused no distinct morphological change to the individual alumina particles, but a substantial portion of the clustered particles was fragmented by the laser pulses, decreasing the apparent size of the suspended particles. Also, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicates that the laser irradiation modified the surface chemistry of the alumina particles. The stabilizing capability of the proposed technique was turned out to be better than that of conventional ultrasonic treatments. The stability of the laser-treated sample with no added surfactant was maintained for up to 30 days, without requiring an additional homogenizing process such as magnetic stirring.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Injection locking of a low cost high power laser diode at 461 nm

Stable laser sources at 461 nm are important for optical cooling of strontium atoms. In most existing experiments, this wavelength is obtained by frequency doubling infrared lasers, since blue laser diodes either have low power or large emission bandwidths. Here, we show that injecting less than 10 mW of monomode laser radiation into a blue multimode 500 mW high power laser diode is capable of slaving at least 50% of the power to the desired frequency. We verify the emission bandwidth reduction by saturation spectroscopy on a strontium gas cell and by direct beating of the slave with the master laser. We also demonstrate that the laser can efficiently be used within the Zeeman slower for optical cooling of a strontium atomic beam.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Quantitative measurement of electron number in nanosecond and picosecond laser-induced air breakdown

Here we present quantitative measurements of total electron numbers in laser-induced air breakdown at pressures ranging from atmospheric to 40 bar{sub g} by 10 ns and 100 ps laser pulses. A quantifiable definition for the laser-induced breakdown threshold is identified by a sharp increase in the measurable total electron numbers via dielectric-calibrated coherent microwave scattering. For the 10 ns laser pulse, the threshold of laser-induced breakdown in atmospheric air is defined as the total electron number of ∼10{sup 6}. This breakdown threshold decreases with an increase of pressure and laser photon energy (shorter wavelength), which is consistent with the theory of initial multiphoton ionization and subsequent avalanche processes. For the 100 ps laser pulse cases, a clear threshold is not present and only marginal pressure effects can be observed, which is due to the short pulse duration leading to stronger multiphoton ionization and minimal collisional avalanche ionization.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Double nanosecond pulses generation in ytterbium fiber laser

Double pulse generation mode for nanosecond ytterbium fiber laser was developed. Two sequential 60-200 ns laser pulses with variable delay between them were generated by acousto-optic modulator opening with continuous diode pumping. A custom radio frequency generator was developed to produce two sequential “opening” radio pulses with a delay of 0.2–1 μs. It was demonstrated that double pulse generation did not decrease the average laser power while providing the control over the laser pulse power profile. Surprisingly, a greater peak power in the double pulse mode was observed for the second laser pulse. Laser crater studies and plasma emission measurements revealed an improved efficiency of laser ablation in the double pulse mode.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Large tuning of narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic lasers operating at 78 K

A new tuning mechanism is demonstrated for single-mode metal-clad plasmonic lasers, in which the refractive-index of the laser’s surrounding medium affects the resonant-cavity mode in the same vein as the refractive-index of gain medium inside the cavity. Reversible, continuous, and mode-hop-free tuning of ~57 GHz is realized for single-mode narrow-beam terahertz plasmonic quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs), which is demonstrated at a much more practical temperature of 78 K. The tuning is based on post-process deposition/etching of a dielectric (silicon-dioxide) on a QCL chip that has already been soldered and wire-bonded onto a copper mount. This is a considerably larger tuning range compared to previously reported results for terahertz QCLs with directional far-field radiation patterns. The key enabling mechanism for tuning is a recently developed antenna-feedback scheme for plasmonic lasers, which leads to the generation of hybrid surface-plasmon-polaritons propagating outside the cavity of the laser with a large spatial extent. The effect of dielectric deposition on QCL’s characteristics is investigated in detail including that on maximum operating temperature, peak output power, and far-field radiation patterns. Single-lobed beam with low divergence (<7°) is maintained through the tuning range. The antenna-feedback scheme is ideally suited for modulation of plasmonic lasers and their sensing applications due to the sensitive dependence of spectral and radiative properties of the laser on its surrounding medium.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Propagation and absorption of high-intensity femtosecond laser radiation in diamond

Femtosecond interferometry has been used to experimentally study the photoexcitation of the electron subsystem of diamond exposed to femtosecond laser pulses of intensity 10{sup 11} to 10{sup 14} W cm{sup -2}. The carrier concentration has been determined as a function of incident intensity for three harmonics of a Ti : sapphire laser (800, 400 and 266 nm). The results demonstrate that, in a wide range of laser fluences (up to those resulting in surface and bulk graphitisation), a well-defined multiphoton absorption prevails. We have estimated nonlinear absorption coefficients for pulsed radiation at λ = 800 nm (four-photon transition) and at 400 and 266 nm (indirect and direct two-photon transitions, respectively). It has also been shown that, at any considerable path length of a femtosecond pulse in diamond (tens of microns or longer), the laser beam experiences a severe nonlinear transformation, determining the amount of energy absorbed by the lattice, which is important for the development of technology for diamond photostructuring by ultrashort pulses. The competition between wave packet self-focusing and the plasma defocusing effect is examined as a major mechanism governing the propagation of intense laser pulses in diamond. (interaction of laser radiation with matter. laser plasma)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Scaling of energy characteristics of polycrystalline Fe{sup 2+}:ZnSe laser at room temperature

The lasing characteristics of lasers based on diffusiondoped Fe{sup 2+}:ZnSe polycrystalline samples excited at room temperature by an electric-discharge HF laser are studied. A sample doped from two sides (working surfaces) emitted laser radiation with the energy E='253' mJ with the slope efficiency η{sub d} = 33% and the efficiency with respect to the absorbed energy η{sub abs} ≈ 28% in the case of an elliptical pump spot of size a × b = 6.8 × 7.5 mm. It is found that the possibility of increasing the lasing energy of the samples of these types by increasing the pump spot area (at a constant pump energy density) is limited by the appearance of parasitic generation typical for disk lasers. The first results are reported on the laser based on a polycrystalline sample made by a technology that allows one to form a zero dopant concentration on the surface and a maximum concentration inside the sample (i.e., to create a sample with internal doping). The possibilities of increasing the Fe{sup 2+}:ZnSe laser energy at room temperature by using multilayer samples fabricated by this doping method are discussed. (lasers)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Absorption and Transport Effects Induced in Plasmas by the Interaction of Electrons with Laser Speckles

Here, we show that the ponderomotive force associated with laser speckles can scatter electrons in a laser-produced plasma in a manner similar to Coulomb scattering. Analytic expressions for the effective collision rates are given. The electron-speckle collisions become important at high laser intensity or during filamentation, affecting both long- and short-pulse laser intensity regimes. As an example, we find that the effective collision rate in the laser-overlap region of hohlraums on the National Ignition Facility is expected to exceed the Coulomb collision rate by 1 order of magnitude, leading to a fundamental change to the electron transport properties. At the high intensities characteristic of short-pulse laser-plasma interactions (I ≳ 10 17 W cm –2 ), the scattering is strong enough to cause the direct absorption of laser energy, generating hot electrons with energy scaling as E ≈ 1.44 (I/10 18 W cm –2 ) 1/2 MeV , close to experimentally observed results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Diagnostics, Control and Performance Parameters for the BELLA High Repetition Rate Petawatt Class Laser

A laser system producing controllable and stable pulses with high power and ultrashort duration at high repetition rate is a key component of a high energy laser-plasma accelerator (LPA). Precise characterization and control of laser properties are essential to understanding laser-plasma interactions required to build a 10-GeV class LPA. This study discusses the diagnostics, control and performance parameters of a 1 Hz, 1 petawatt (PW) class laser at the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator (BELLA) facility. The BELLA PW laser provided up to 46 J on target with a 1% level energy fluctuation and 1.3-μrad pointing stability. The spatial profile was measured and optimized by using a camera, wavefront sensor, and deformable mirror (ILAO system). The focus waist was measured to be r 0 = 53 μm and the fraction of energy within the circular area defined by the first minimum of the diffraction pattern (r = 67 μm) was 0.75. The temporal profile was controlled via the angle of incidence on a stretcher and a compressor, as well as an acousto-optic programmable dispersive. The temporal pulse shape was measured to be about 33 fs in full width at half maximum (WIZZLER and GRENOUILLE diagnostics). In order to accurately evaluate peak intensity, the energy-normalized peak fluence, and energy-normalized peak power were analyzed for the measured spatial and temporal mode profiles, and were found to be 15 kJ/(cm 2 J) with 6% fluctuation (standard deviation) and 25 TW/J with 5% fluctuation for 46-J on-target energy, respectively. This yielded a peak power of 1.2 PW and a peak intensity of 17×10 18 W/cm 2 with 8% fluctuation. A method to model the pulse shape for arbitrary compressor grating distance with high accuracy was developed. The pulse contrast above the amplified spontaneous emission pedestal was measured by SEQUOIA and found to be better than 10 9 . The first order spatiotemporal couplings (STCs) were measured with GRENOUILLE, and a simulation of the pulse's evolution at the vicinity of the target was presented. A maximum pulse front tilt angle of less than 7 mrad was achieved. The reduction of the peak power caused by the first order STCs was estimated to be less than 1%. Finally, the capabilities described in this paper are essential for generation of high quality electron beams.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Performance of a Laser Ignited Multicylinder Lean Burn Natural Gas Engine

Market demands for lower fueling costs and higher specific powers in stationary natural gas engines has engine designs trending towards higher in-cylinder pressures and leaner combustion operation. However, Ignition remains as the main limiting factor in achieving further performance improvements in these engines. Addressing this concern, while incorporating various recent advances in optics and laser technologies, laser igniters were designed and developed through numerous iterations. Final designs incorporated water-cooled, passively Q-switched, Nd:YAG micro-lasers that were optimized for stable operation under harsh engine conditions. Subsequently, the micro-lasers were installed in the individual cylinders of a lean-burn, 350 kW, inline 6-cylinder, open-chamber, spark ignited engine and tests were conducted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the world’s first demonstration of a laser ignited multi-cylinder natural gas engine. The engine was operated at high-load (298 kW) and rated speed (1800 rpm) conditions. Ignition timing sweeps and excess-air ratio (λ) sweeps were performed while keeping the NOx emissions below the USEPA regulated value (BSNOx < 1.34 g/kW-hr), and while maintaining ignition stability at industry acceptable values (COV_IMEP <5 %). Through such engine tests, the relative merits of (i) standard electrical ignition system, and (ii) laser ignition system were determined. In conclusion, a rigorous combustion data analysis was performed and the main reasons leading to improved performance in the case of laser ignition were identified.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Laser-induced damage characteristics of fused silica surfaces polished to different depths using fluid jet polishing

Deterministic finishing methods of optical components for high-peak-power laser applications that can meet the requirements for high laser damage resistance are not sufficiently developed to meet all needs. This is especially the case for ultraviolet (UV) laser applications. Fused silica is the material of choice for optics operating at UV wavelengths owing to its intrinsically large bandgap, high transparency, and excellent uniformity. Here we report on the laser damage behavior of fused silica surfaces finished by fluid jet polishing (FJP) as a function of removal depth. Fused silica test substrates were processed by FJP to depths ranging from 0.7 μm to 18 μm. Laser damage testing was conducted on these surfaces at 351 nm and 1-ns pulse lengths for both, 1-on-1 and R-on-1 testing protocols. The results for 1-on-1 testing showed no degradation in the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of the substrates. Instead, a gradual improvement starting at a depth of 2.1 μm was observed and continued to the 18-μm surface. At 18-μm of removal, the LIDT was 16% higher than a surface that was not finished by FJP. For R-on-1 testing, all surfaces treated by FJP demonstrated an improvement in laser damage resistance. At depths greater than 5 μm, the improvements were significantly more pronounced and a 30% increase in the LIDT was realized.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Nonlinear Laser-Plasma Interaction in Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion

Sandia National Laboratories is pursuing a variation of Magneto-Inertial Fusion called Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion, or MagLIF. The MagLIF approach requires magnetization of the deuterium fuel, which is accomplished by an initial external B-Field and laser-driven pre-heat. Although magnetization is crucial to the concept, it is challenging to couple sufficient energy to the fuel, since laser-plasma instabilities exist, and a compromise between laser spot size, laser entrance window thickness, and fuel density must be found. Ultimately, nonlinear processes in laser plasma interaction, or laser-plasma instabilities (LPI), complicate the deposition of laser energy by enhanced absorption, backscatter, filamentation and beam-spray. We determine and discuss key LPI processes and mitigation methods. Results with and without improvement measures are presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Interference effects in laser-induced plasma emission from surface-bound metal micro-particles

Here, the light-matter interaction of an optical beam and metal micro-particulates at the vicinity of an optical substrate surface is critical to the many fields of applied optics. Examples of impacted fields are laser-induced damage in high power laser systems, sub-wavelength laser machining of transmissive materials, and laser-target interaction in directed energy applications. We present a full-wave-based model that predicts the laser-induced plasma pressure exerted on a substrate surface as a result of light absorption in surface-bound micron-scale metal particles. The model predictions agree with experimental observation of laser-induced shallow pits, formed by plasma emission and etching from surface-bound metal micro-particulates. It provides an explanation for the prototypical side lobes observed along the pit profile, as well as for the dependence of the pit shape on the incident laser and particle parameters. Furthermore, the model highlights the significance of the interference of the incident light in the open cavity geometry formed between the micro-particle and the substrate in the resulting pit shape.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ultra-low emittance beam generation using two-color ionization injection in a CO 2 laser-driven plasma accelerator

Ultra-low emittance (tens of nm) beams can be generated in a plasma accelerator using ionization injection of electrons into a wakefield. An all-optical method of beam generation uses two laser pulses of different colors. A long-wavelength drive laser pulse (with a large ponderomotive force and small peak electric field) is used to excite a large wakefield without fully ionizing a gas, and a short-wavelength injection laser pulse (with a small ponderomotive force and large peak electric field), co-propagating and delayed with respect to the pump laser, to ionize a fraction of the remaining bound electrons at a trapped wake phase, generating an electron beam that is accelerated in the wake. The trapping condition, the ionized electron distribution, and the trapped bunch dynamics are discussed. Expressions for the beam transverse emittance, parallel and orthogonal to the ionization laser polarization, are presented. An example is shown using a 10-micron CO 2 laser to drive the wake and a frequency-doubled Ti:Al 2 O 3 laser for ionization injection.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗