Event
ECE Special Seminar: Pulse Laser Physics
Friday, March 16, 2012
3:00 p.m.
Kim Engineering Building, Room 1110
Carrie Hilmer
301 405 4471
chilmer@umd.edu
Abstract:
This talk will cover high field physics phenomena and interactions associated with ultra short pulse lasers (USPLs). The operating parameter regime of USPLs covers a wide range, e.g., peak powers of ~ 1012 - 1015 W, pulse lengths of ~ 10-12 10-14 sec, and intensities of ~ 1014 - 1023 W/cm2. These lasers are used in high field physics research and have numerous potential applications. The physical processes associated with USPL interactions and propagation include: photo/collisional ionization, Kerr and rotational Raman effects, self phase modulation, filamentation, group velocity dispersion, optical shocks, frequency chirping, propagation through atmospheric turbulence, etc. This talk will discuss these interrelated physical processes and some of the applications of these lasers, such as: laser driven acceleration, UV/X-ray generation and underwater acoustic sources. More recent applications which will also be discussed include remote atmospheric spark formation, detection of radioactive materials and atmospheric lasing [1].
[1] Remotely Induced Atmospheric Lasing, P. Sprangle, J. Penano, B. Hafizi,
D. Gordon and M. Scully. Appl. Phys. Lett. 98, 211102 (2011)
Bio:
Phillip Sprangle has a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Cornell University. He is the Chief Scientist for Directed Energy Physics at the Naval Research Laboratory and Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland. His research areas includes the atmospheric propagation of high-energy lasers, laser driven accelerators, ultra-short pulse laser matter interaction and propagation, nonlinear optics and free electron lasers. He is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, American Physical Society, Directed Energy Professional Society and the IEEE. He is winner of the Fred E. Saalfeld Award (2012) highest scientific award ONR confers, Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2011) highest scientific award NRL confers, IEEE Plasma Science Award, Sigma Xi Pure Science Award, International Free Electron Laser Prize and the E.O. Hulburt Science and Engineering Award. He has over 230 refereed publications and holds 15 U.S. Patents and 2 pending.
