Optimizing twisted partially coherent vortex beams for ground-based laser ablation propulsion in space
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Published on: February 16, 2019
Jiameng Zhao1, Yu Deng1, Zhixiang Zhang2
1Department of Physics, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610068, China.
Abstract:
For ground-based laser ablation propulsion in space, achieving optimal or even threshold momentum coupling in laser-matter interaction is challenging due to linear and nonlinear effects during long-range atmospheric propagation. In this paper, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm for partially coherent beams is extended from linear to nonlinear propagation regimes. For a high-power twisted partially coherent vortex beam (TPCVB) propagating from the ground through the turbulent atmosphere to space orbit, we find that an optimal twist factor and coherence length exist to maximize the on-target intensity. Compared with partially coherent vortex beams (PCVBs), partially coherent beams (PCBs), and fully coherent beams (FCBs), TPCVBs exhibit superior target beam quality, while requiring a smaller initial beam width and lower initial power to reach threshold or optimal momentum coupling. The results obtained are helpful for laser ablation propulsion applications in space using ground-based laser systems.
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