High-fidelity Modeling of High Power Solid State Slab Laser (SSSL)

The goal of this effort is to develop high-fidelity wave-optics models of the DARPA HELLADS laser system designs. To do so, we will attempt to advance the state-of-the-art in accurately modeling laser component effects which are somewhat unique to high energy slab lasers by developing fundamental modeling capabilities for specific aspects high power solid state slab laser devices. We will conduct efforts in two categories with the following five fundamental objectives: 1. First-principles modeling of high energy slab laser components and effects. a. Emission (gain) and aberration (absorption) characteristics of slab gain media. b. Performance of the cooling system and the optical disturbances it causes. c. Optical distortions in the system due to thermal deformations. 2. Development of WaveTrain models of the HELLADS laser system designs. a. Detailed wave-optics model of the General Atomics design. b. Detailed wave-optics model of the Textron design.