Linear analysis of thermal blooming compensation instabilities in laser propagation

Thermal blooming compensation instabilities are examined. The linearized system of thermal blooming compensation (TBC) equations is studied to develop parameters that characterize the stability of phase-only and full-wave (amplitude and phase) compensation for the effects of thermal blooming. The stabilizing effects of microscale wind shear are included in the analysis to provide a mechanism to stabilize the TBC equations. Stability is equated to existence of bounded solutions of the linear TBC equations, and appropriate dimensionless parameters are developed that ensure existence and uniqueness of bounded solutions to the TBC equations. Parameters characterizing stability are expressed in forms analogous to conventional scaling laws.