Theory of small-scale self-focusing of spatially partially coherent beams and its implications for high-power laser systems

Ruifeng Wang; Xiaoqi Zhang; Yanli Zhang; Fanglun Yang; Jianhao Tang; Ziang Chen; Jianqiang Zhu

doi:10.1017/hpl.2024.12

High Power Laser Science and Engineering (Jan 2024)

Theory of small-scale self-focusing of spatially partially coherent beams and its implications for high-power laser systems

Ruifeng Wang,
Xiaoqi Zhang,
Yanli Zhang,
Fanglun Yang,
Jianhao Tang,
Ziang Chen,
Jianqiang Zhu

Affiliations

Ruifeng Wang: ORCiD; Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Xiaoqi Zhang: Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Yanli Zhang: Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Fanglun Yang: Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Jianhao Tang: Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Ziang Chen: Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Jianqiang Zhu: Key Laboratory of High Power Laser and Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/hpl.2024.12
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12

Abstract

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Based on the paraxial wave equation, this study extends the theory of small-scale self-focusing (SSSF) from coherent beams to spatially partially coherent beams (PCBs) and derives a general theoretical equation that reveals the underlying physics of the reduction in the B-integral of spatially PCBs. From the analysis of the simulations, the formula for the modulational instability (MI) gain coefficient of the SSSF of spatially PCBs is obtained by introducing a decrease factor into the formula of the MI gain coefficient of the SSSF of coherent beams. This decrease can be equated to a drop in the injected light intensity or an increase in the critical power. According to this formula, the reference value of the spatial coherence of spatially PCBs is given, offering guidance to overcome the output power limitation of the high-power laser driver due to SSSF.

Published in High Power Laser Science and Engineering

ISSN: 2095-4719 (Print); 2052-3289 (Online)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General): Applied optics. Photonics
Website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/high-power-laser-science-and-engineering

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