Energy spectra of electrons in plasma accelerators

The acceleration of electrons in the fast (relativistic) plasma wave, generated, e.g., by intense laser pulse in an underdense plasma, is studied theoretically and numerically. The analytical method, developed to describe the energy spectrum of electrons accelerated in one-dimensional (1-D) plasma wave of an arbitrary form, predicts the “bunching” of electrons in the energy space for linear (harmonic) plasma wave in contrast to the nonlinear one. The results of one- and two-dimensional (2-D) numerical simulations of the resonant and nonresonant electron bunch acceleration are presented and discussed     

Application of a laser/EMAT system for using shear and LS mode converted waves

Quantitative time-of-flight analysis of laser-generated shear waves and longitudinal-shear mode-converted waves has demonstrated an effective method for non-contact monitoring of the thickness of metal plates. Q-switched Nd:YAG laser pulses with energies of approximately 18 mJ, delivered to the material surface via an optical fibre and focused to a line source by a cylindrical lens, excited surface waves, longitudinal and shear waves. Bulk waves propagated through the plate to be reflected from the far surface. Returning waves were detected using an electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) sensitive to in-plane motion. The compilation of B-scans generated as the sensor head was moved along the material's surface to produce a 2-D intensity profile made any changes in the plate thickness easy to visualise. The longitudinal-shear (L-S) and shear-longitudinal (S-L) mode-converted waves provided a method of simultaneously monitoring two different points on the far surface enabling any changes in the material thickness to be clearly identified. This method was used to determine the thickness of aluminium samples ranging in from 5 to 70 mm.     

Reconstruction of Optical Energy Deposition for Backward Optoacoustic Imaging

Visualizing optical properties, such as the optical absorption coefficient, helps us to obtain structural information of biological tissues. In this paper, we present an efficient reconstruction algorithm for optical energy deposition in backward optoacoustic imaging. Note that econstruction of optical energy deposition is the first step to imaging the optical absorption coefficient distribution. This algorithm is derived from the optoacoustic wave equations with line focusing, in which the focusing techniques were utilized to reduce the reconstruction problem from three dimensions (3-D) to one dimension (1-D). Simulations and experiments were conducted to verify efficacy of this algorithm. In the simulations, optoacoustic signals were generated based on the solution of the optoacoustic wave equations. In the experiments, a 3-D backward mode optoacoustic imaging system was built. The system consisted of a Nd YAG laser for optical irradiation and an acoustic detection system with a broadband hydrophone. A phantom was used to illustrate validity of the proposed algorithm. The results show that optical energy deposition can be efficiently reconstructed in both simulations and experiments.     

Non-contact sound speed measurement by optical probing of beam deflection due to sound wave

We report a non-contact and non-invasive method of sound speed measurement by optical probing of deflected laser beam due to normally incident degenerated shock wave. In this study the shock wave from an exploding wire was degenerated to an ordinary sound wave at the distance exceeding 0.23 m. Temporal resolution of the deflected beam signal was improved by passing through an adequate electronic high-pass filter, as a result we obtained a better temporal resolution than that of the acoustic pressure detection by PZT transducer in terms of rising time. The spatial resolution was improved by passing the refracted beam signal into the edge of focusing lens to make a larger deflection angle. Sound speed was calculated by monitoring the time of flight of transient deflected signal at the predetermined position. Sound speed has been measured in air, distilled water and acryl, agreed well with the published values. The sound speed measured in the solution of glycerin, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), and dimethylformamide with various mole fractions also agrees within 3% of relative error with those measured in the present work by ultrasonic pulse echo method. The results suggest that the method proposed is to be reliable and reproducible.     

Non-contact optical fibre phased array generation of ultrasound for non-destructive evaluation of materials and processes

The use of non-contact laser techniques for the generation of ultrasound has extended the limits of the application of traditional ultrasonic techniques. This paper focusses on the use of one such non-contact laser technique, known as ‘optical fibre array’, to generate shear and surface waves. The shear wave experimental directivity pattern results are presented and compared with the theoretical results of a single source and an array source. The experimental directivity results for the surface wave are also presented, and compared with the theoretical results. The data show that the array enhances signal generation in the forward direction for both shear and surface waves. The array gain is also discussed. The receiver for the directivity measurements was a contact piezoelectric transducer.     

Generation of laser-driven flyer dominated by shock-induced shear bands: A molecular dynamics simulation study

High-power pulsed lasers provide an ingenious method for launching metal foils to generate high-speed flyers for high-pressure loading in material science or aerospace engineering.At high-temperature and high-pressure laser-induced conditions,the dynamic response of the metals and the mechanism of flyer formation remain unclear.In this study,the overall process of the laser-driven aluminum flyer,including laser ablation,rupture of metal foil,and the generation of the flyer was investigated by molecular dynamics combined with the two-temperature model.It was found that under high laser fluence(over 1.3 J/cm;with 200-fs laser pulse duration),the laser induced a shock wave with a peak pressure higher than25 GPa,which led to shear bands expanding from the edge of the laser ablation zone in the foil.Compared with the cases of low laser fluence less than 0.5 J/cm^-1,the shear band induced by high laser fluence promotes the rupture of the foil and results in a high-speed flyer(>1 km/s)with better flatness and integrity.In addition,the shock wavefront was found to be accompanied by aluminum crystal phase transformation from face-centered cubic(FCC)to body-centered cubic structure.The crystal structure reverts with the decrease of pressure,therefore the internal structure of the generated flyer is pure of FCC.The results of this study provide a better understanding of the laser-induced shock effect on the foil rupture and flyer quality and forward the development of the laser-driven flyer.     

Optical focus control system for laser welding and direct casting

A non-intrusive optical sensor system has been developed for focus control of laser welding. This detects the light generated by the process through the laser delivery optics, and exploits the chromatic aberrations of these optics to detect any laser focal error at the workpiece. This system works for a wide range of materials and welding parameters, and example results are presented. The sensor has also been applied to laser ‘direct casting’, a process in which 3-D structures are built by flowing metal powder into a focused laser beam. In this case, melt pool temperature is also important, and so additional optics are incorporated into the sensor to provide a pyrometric temperature measurement which is used to control the laser power.     

High-repetition-rate Nd:YVO4 slab laser with a 1-D top-hat output beam

A high-repetition-rate electro-optic Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ slab laser is demonstrated in this paper. The Nd:YVO₄ slab inside the compact resonator is end-pumped by a 2-bar laser diode stack. The output beam with one dimension (1-D) top-hat intensity distribution at both near field and far field is generated. Continuous wave (CW) output of 13 5 W is obtained under the total pump power of 50 W. At the repetition rate of 40 kHz, the energy per pulse is 0.32 mJ with its pulse width of 26.3 ns. At 20 kHz, we have achieved the maximum pulse energy of 0.56 mJ and 56 kW peak power with 10 ns pulse width.     

Nanoparticle sizing by a laser-induced breakdown detection using an optical probe beam deflection

A method for determining the size of a colloidal nanoparticle by measuring the magnitude of the probe beam signal which can be remotely measured in a non-contact manner has been developed. The method using a probe beam signal is intended to employ a principle by which the path of a probe beam is changed by a laser-induced shock wave, accompanying the occurrence of a laser-induced breakdown of colloidal nanoparticles. It was observed that the peak and full width at half-maximum of a frequency distribution curve of the measured magnitude of a probe beam signal appear in direct correlation with the size of a nanoparticle at the fixed pulse energy of a laser beam for the breakdown. A calibration curve for a particle sizing is presented for particle diameters ranging from 20 to 60 nm, with reference polystyrene particles. An application is demonstrated for measuring hexavalent uranium colloidal particles generated by the hydrolysis of free uranyl ions.     

原子光刻中驻波场与基片距离的判定方法研究

原子光刻实验中, 激光驻波场能起到原子透镜的效果, 实现原子汇聚. 激光驻波场与沉积基片间的距离对形成纳米条纹结构的质量具有重要影响. 利用高斯光束传播规律, 提出了一种能够定量判断激光驻波场与沉积基片相对位置的实验方法. 该方法通过调节装载有凸透镜和反射镜的精密位移台改变驻波场距基片的距离, 利用光电探测器接收反射光强的变化, 将位移改变量转变为接收器的电压信号. 利用驻波场激光束光斑直径值, 实现准确定位驻波场与基片的距离. 对上述实验过程进行数值模拟, 数值计算的结果和实验结果高度符合. 该方法实现了准确定位驻波场距基片的距离, 为后续深入研究驻波场和基片间距离对沉积纳米条纹结构质量的影响提供实验基础.     

基于声光栅的变频条纹投射系统

针对三维形貌测量中结构光照明系统投影速度慢、结构复杂、在线集成困难的问题,提出了一种基于声光栅的变频条纹投射系统。该系统利用拍频信号驱动声光偏转器,在声光晶体中形成两个重叠的光栅,光源发出的激光以布拉格角入射,形成两束一级衍射光,经透镜聚焦形成光强按正弦规律分布的结构光条纹。建立了数学模型,同时提出了一种新的相位凝固技术,使条纹空间频率和相位的变化规律得到了很好的解释。该系统结构紧凑、体积小,全电控可调,无任何机械移动部件,具有条纹投影速度快、精度高、动态可编程的特点。应用该系统对石膏像形貌进行测量,获得了用于三维成像的相位图。该投射系统对于解决复杂几何形状物体的三维测量问题具有较高的工程应用价值。     

Two-Dimensional CW-ESR Correlation Spectroscopy

In the present paper, a new method called two-dimensional continuous-wave electron spin resonance (2-D CW-ESR) correlation spectroscopy is introduced. This method is based on mathematical analysis of ESR data obtained from common CW-ESR spectra. It is different from conventional 2-D ESR, which is built on multiple-pulse sequences. Synchronous and asynchronous 2-D CW-ESR correlation spectra defined by two independent magnetic field variable axes are generated by a correlation analysis of dynamic fluctuations of ESR signals induced by an external perturbation. The basic property of 2-D ESR correlation spectra is described. Several examples are investigated and discussed on applications of 2-D ESR correlation spectra in the spin self-trapping of 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP), the mixture of spin adducts generated by self-trapping of MNP and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, and the coordination reaction of benzo-15-crown-5 with cupric ion in boron trifluoride-ether solution. The potential applications of this new 2-D CW-ESR method are discussed. Authors' address: Yong Li, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China     

基于WLI原理K9基片的亚表层损伤检测

在现代激光技术的应用发展中，光学元件在其制造过程中形成的亚表层损伤是导致激光损伤的主要根源之一。光学元件亚表层的检测方法已成为光学加工领域的一个新的热点问题。利用非接触式白光干涉原理对K9基片进行亚表层损伤检测，获得基片表面至亚表面200μm深的三维立体图和纵向截切图，并精确地确定其亚表层损伤深度，以及在不同深度范围内的损伤密度。该方法与现阶段国内常用的亚表层损伤检测方法相比，具有非破坏性、纵向检测结果精确、检测过程简单快捷等特点。     

Detection of laser induced dielectric breakdown in water using a laser doppler vibrometer

This study is focused on exploring the feasibility of an all-optic surface scanning method in determining the size and position of a submerged, laser generated, optoacoustic (OA) source. The optoacoustic effect in this case was generated when the absorption of a short electromagnetic pulse in matter caused a dielectric breakdown, a plasma emission flash and a subsequent acoustic wave. In the experiment, a laser pulse with λ = 1064 nm and 12 ns pulse length was aimed at a volume of deionized water. When the laser beam was focused by a f = 16 mm lens, a single dielectric breakdown spot occurred. When a f = 40 mm was used several breakdowns in a row were induced. The breakdowns were photographed using a double shutter camera. The acoustic wave generated by the dielectric breakdowns were detected at a point on the water surface using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). First, the LDV signal was used to calculate the speed of sound with an accuracy of 10 m/s. Secondly, the location and length of the dielectric breakdown was calculated with an accuracy of 1 mm. The calculated position matched the breakdown location recorded by a camera. The results show that it is possible to use LDV surface measurements from a single spot to determine both the position and length of the OA source as well as the speed of sound in the medium. Furthermore, the LDV measurements also show a secondary peak that originates from the OA source. To unravel the origin and properties of this interesting feature, further investigations are necessary     

Laser-ultrasonic generation of Lamb waves in the reaction force range

The Laser-ultrasonic generation of Lamb waves in an elastic plate is investigated theoretically and experimentally for a laser source whose intensity is high enough to create reaction forces (normal tractions) on the illuminated surface of the specimen. The analytical solutions for transient waves are derived using the integral transform method first by considering an arbitrary source shape and time excitation function, and then specifically for circular and line source shapes. The simulation study allows us not only to predict the behavior of individual wave modes but also to construct the overall responses; thus it helps us better understand the wave excitation mechanisms. The dispersive and multi-modal nature of laser-generated Lamb waves is presented by showing the spatiotemporal Fourier transform of displacements obtained by the simulation study. The transform, displayed in the frequency-wave number domain, enunciates the characteristics of the propagating individual Lamb wave modes. The simulation results are then compared with the 2-D Fourier transform of a set of experimental data obtained by scanning an aluminum plate specimen.     

斩波法在激光微能量计标定中的应用

针对激光微能量测量的问题,提出一种激光微能量计标定新方法与装置。研究内容包括使用稳功率连续激光作为光源,通过基于斩波的脉冲发生器组件产生微能量的脉冲激光,分别使用脉冲宽度测量组件与功率测量组件进行采集、软件分析,计算微能量值及通过比对给出待标定能量计的修正系数,计算机自动控制。结果表明,该方法获得的脉冲激光波形稳定,脉冲宽度测量不确定度为0.08%,激光功率测量不确定度为0.25%,实现了对0.1 pJ～1 mJ的激光能量进行准确复现和传递。     

Single-beam, ponderomotive-optical trap for free electrons and neutral atoms

A ponderomotive-optical trap for energetic free electrons has been generated with a single, high-peak-power laser beam. The focal region consists of an intensity minimum at the center of the focus, with increasing intensities in all directions. The focus can be generated with a two-zone binary phase plate, or with a novel, coaxially segmented wave plate. This scheme can also be used to trap neutral atoms.     

水中空气隔层衰减冲击波性能研究

 根据鱼雷对舰船毁伤的特点,建立了多介质水下爆炸数值模型,提出了交界面处理及广义光滑长度计算方法,编制了多介质水下爆炸计算程序,并对水下爆炸空气隔层衰减冲击波的性能进行了定量分析。结果表明：无论是接触爆炸还是非接触爆炸,空气隔层均可有效衰减冲击波,并且接触爆炸中空气隔层衰减冲击波的效果更好,最大可使冲击压力峰值降低约55%;空气隔层厚度与爆炸厚度之比为1时便可达到较好的衰减冲击波效果,继续增加空气隔层厚度对衰减冲击波效果影响不大。研究结果可为舰船结构防护及防雷舱的结构设计提供参考。     

Novel features of non-linear Raman instability in a laser plasma

The electron phase space evolution in a non-relativistic and homogeneous laser plasma generated by a nanosecond laser in a near infrared region in the presence of stimulated Raman scattering is investigated by a numerical simulation. The mechanism of electron acceleration in the potential wells of the plasma wave accompanying the Raman back-scattering is analyzed in a 1D Vlasov-Maxwell model. The dominant wave modes are both the backward and the forward propagating Raman waves, each accompanied by a daughter electrostatic wave. In addition to a strong interaction of plasma electrons with the primary electrostatic wave in the case of back-scattering, a cascading is observed consisting in a secondary scattering of the primary Raman back-scattered wave. This phenomenon reduces the Raman reflectivity and causes an acceleration of electrons against the direction of the heating laser beam. Moreover, the strong trapping in the primary electrostatic wave generated by the Raman back-scattering leads due to the trapped particle instability to a significant spectral broadening of the original plasma wave and a subsequent intermittent behaviour of the scattering process. The high phase velocity electrostatic daughter wave of the forward Raman scattering cannot trap the electrons directly, but there is an indication of non-resonant quasi-modes combined of this wave and of the simultaneously existing electrostatic daughter wave accompanying the Raman back-scattering. The transform method is used for a solution of the set of partial differential equations, which consists of the Vlasov equation and of the full set of Maxwell equations in a 1D approximation. A simplified Fokker-Planck collision term is added to overcome the numerical instabilities during the simulation. The model has relevance to a long scale plasma geometry, such as occurring in the indirect drive experiments near the light entrance holes of target hohlraum.     

Thermal signatures of a localized inhomogeneity in a 2-D participating medium subjected to an ultra-fast step-pulse laser wave

The transport of a train of short-pulse radiation through a 2-D rectangular participating medium consisting of local inhomogeneities is investigated in this article. A collimated beam of step temporal profile is considered. The pulse wave consists of 1 and 4 pulses. The absorbing and scattering participating medium contains a square-shaped local inhomogeneity. The inhomogeneity differs from the rest of the medium by its scattering albedo. The pulse width and the period of the laser wave are of the order of a nano-second. Transmittance and reflectance signals are analyzed for the effects of the extinction coefficient and the scattering albedo. Heat flux distributions inside the medium are also studied. The finite-volume method is used to solve the problem.