A reflective field-mapping beam shaper for creating a Gaussian intensity distribution from a uniform intensity high-energy laser beam

Stephen A. Hanes; Steven M. Long

doi:10.1117/12.561102

29 September 2004 A reflective field-mapping beam shaper for creating a Gaussian intensity distribution from a uniform intensity high-energy laser beam

Stephen A. Hanes, Steven M. Long

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5525, Laser Beam Shaping V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.561102
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

The use of a "Field Mapping" beam shaping technique for generating near field Gaussian intensity patterns from uniform intensity ("flat top") laser beams is described. The design objective was to simulate realistic High Energy Laser (HEL) far field intensity patterns for laser effects testing purposes, without having to propagate the large distances necessary to obtain the true far field intensity profile and beam size typical of realistic target engagement scenarios. The field mapping approach presented uses a continuous surface mirror with a figure designed to redistribute the energy into a Gaussian distribution at the target plane. The use of a reflective system was desired to minimize cost and maximize wavelength diversity and laser damage threshold capability. Physical optics analyses are presented to illustrate the performance characteristics of a totally passive reflective field mapping beam shaper.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen A. Hanes and Steven M. Long "A reflective field-mapping beam shaper for creating a Gaussian intensity distribution from a uniform intensity high-energy laser beam", Proc. SPIE 5525, Laser Beam Shaping V, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.561102

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