High Energy Lasers: Questions & Answers

[0xDEADBEEF]

Does someone here know about high energy lasers?

As I understand it, at a certain field strength you damage your optical media, but I know high power cw lasers do exist, so I wonder:

1) How do you shutter a high power laser?
2) Is it possible to join two laser beams. The only way I see would be with a polarizing beam splitter in reverse, but you can only do that once and the medium hast to survive.
3) Is the key to success to tune all your mirrors exactly to the laser frequency?

 

[Redbelly98]

Usually, it's the optical surface coatings that damage before the actual optical material.

Higher power lasers typically use a larger area beam, so that the intensity (power/area) is kept below the damage threshold.

1) lasers can be shuttered with a black anodized aluminum stop, with a heatsink if necessary. The thermal conductivity of aluminum and heatsink would dissapate the heat.

2) Yes, a polarizing beam splitter can combine two beams that are each linearly polarized. The resulting beam will be unpolarized.

3) Mirrors that are highly reflective at the laser frequency are used so that losses are minimal. Mirrors often work over a broad range of wavelengths, eg. "visible", "near ir", etc.

 

[oswaler]

I am familiar with high energy lasers and their capabilities. To address your questions:

1) There are various ways to shutter a high power laser, including mechanical shutters, acousto-optic modulators, and electro-optic modulators. These devices can quickly block or redirect the laser beam, providing a means for control and safety.

2) Yes, it is possible to join two laser beams. One method is using a beam combiner, which combines multiple beams into one. This can be done with polarizing beam splitters or dichroic mirrors. However, as you mentioned, the medium must be able to withstand the high power without damage.

3) Tuning the mirrors to the exact laser frequency is important for achieving optimal performance and efficiency. However, it is not the only factor for success. Other considerations include the type of laser medium, the power source, and the optical components used in the laser system.

I hope this helps answer your questions about high energy lasers. If you have any further inquiries, please feel free to ask. As scientists, it is our duty to continually research and advance our understanding of this technology.