A general model of high-energy laser interactions with solid surfaces is presented. Fluid transport equations are used to describe the heating and vaporization of a solid surface irradiated by intense laser energy. The vaporized target material diffuses into an ambient gas. Both the target vapor and ambient gas can ionize. Separate transport equations are used for the ambient gas, the gas of atoms in an excited state, the electrons, the target vapor, the ionized ambient gas, and the ionized target vapor. Among the over 30 physical processes included in the model are: laser wave absorption, electron and ion gas heating, diffusion of each species, excitation collisions, recombination, radiation transport, photoionization, shock formation, cascade ionization, thermionic emission, neutral impact ionization and energy, and momentum transfer among all fluid species. a computer program has been developed to numerically integrate these transport equations. The ignition and propagation of laser-supported absorption waves (LAWs) are studied as a function of incident power level. Graphs are presented of the temperature and density profiles of each species at various instants in time as a function of the incident laser power level. (Author).

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This book delves deeply into the real-world technologies behind the ‘directed energy weapons’ that many believe exist only within the confines of science fiction. On the contrary, directed energy weapons such as high energy lasers are very real, and this book provides a crash course in all the physical and mathematical concepts that make these weapons a reality. Written to serve both scientists researching the physical phenomena of laser effects, as well as engineers focusing on practical applications, the author provides worked examples demonstrating issues such as how to solve for heat diffusion equation for different boundary and initial conditions. Several sections are devoted to reviewing and dealing with solutions of diffusion equations utilizing the aid of the integral transform techniques. Ultimately this book examines the state-of-the-art in currently available high energy laser technologies, and suggests future directions for accelerating practical applications in the field.“br>/div

The field of high-power laser-plasma interaction has grown in the last few decades, with applications ranging from laser-driven fusion and laser acceleration of charged particles to laser ablation of materials. This comprehensive text covers fundamental concepts including electromagnetics and electrostatic waves, parameter instabilities, laser driven fusion,charged particle acceleration and gamma rays. Two important techniques of laser proton interactions including target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) and radiation pressure acceleration (RPA) are discussed in detail, along with their applications in the field of medicine. An analytical framework is developed for laser beat-wave and wakefield excitation of plasma waves and subsequent acceleration of electrons. The book covers parametric oscillator model and studies the coupling of laser light with collective modes.

Directed Energy Weapons is nothing new to mankind, historically the origination of such weapons falls in centuries ago when first time the famous Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer Archimedes of Syracuse used different mirrors to collect sunbeams and focusing them on Romans fleet in order to destroy enemy ships with fire. This is known as the Archimedes Heat Ray. Archimedes may have used mirrors acting collectively as a parabolic reflector to burn ships attacking Syracuse. The device was used to focus sunlight onto approaching ships, causing them to catch fire. Of course the myth or reality of Archimedes Heat Ray still is a questionable story, but certain experiments with the help of a group of students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology was carried out with 127 one-foot (30 cm) square mirror tiles in October of 2005 that was focused on a mock-up wooden ship at a range of around 100 feet (30 m). The flames broke out on a patch of the ship, but only after the sky had been cloudless and the ship had remained stationary for around ten minutes. It was concluded the device was a feasible weapon under these conditions.

An investigation was made of the interaction of a high-power laser beam with a target in air. A laser-supported radiation wave in the air is predicted. Models of this process were developed. An analytic model of the steady-state was compared with a transient numerical model using a one-dimensional radiation/hydrodynamic code. Comparisons with data indicate agreement for Nd-glass frequency laser radiation, but discrepancies for CO2 laser frequency. Speculations are made about the source of the discrepancy. Keywords: Laser beam in air: Laser-supported radiation wave; Laser-target interaction.

Introduction and handbook to high-power laser-matter interaction, laser generated plasma, nonlinear waves, particle acceleration, nonlinear optics, nonlinear dynamics, radiation transport, it provides a systematic review of the major results and developments of the past 25 years.

Recent scientific and technical advances have made it possible to create matter in the laboratory under conditions relevant to astrophysical systems such as supernovae and black holes. These advances will also benefit inertial confinement fusion research and the nation's nuclear weapon's program. The report describes the major research facilities on which such high energy density conditions can be achieved and lists a number of key scientific questions about high energy density physics that can be addressed by this research. Several recommendations are presented that would facilitate the development of a comprehensive strategy for realizing these research opportunities.