With contributions by numerous experts

Since publication of the first edition of this text in 1998, there have been several new, important developments in the theory of beam wave propagation through a random medium, which have been incorporated into this second edition. Also new to this edition are models for the scintillation index under moderate-to-strong irradiance fluctuations; models for aperture averaging based on ABCD ray matrices; beam wander and its effects on scintillation; theory of partial coherence of the source; models of rough targets for ladar applications; phase fluctuations; analysis of other beam shapes; plus expanded analysis of free-space optical communication systems and imaging systems.

Although scarcely 20 years have passed since the creation of the first laser, laser engineering has enjoyed a variety of applications in science and in practice. Among these applications, a special pI ace is held by those related to the propagation of laser radiation in the atmosphere. Some, such as laser communication and information-transmission systems, locating and teleme tering systems, and mapping and navigation systems, require access to quantitative data on the effects of the atmosphere on the parameters of the laser beam serving as the carrier of useful information, since the efficacy of any such system depends significantly on the influence of the atmosphere. Another set of laser applications associated with the propagation of coherent radiation in the atmosphere requires the solution of both direct and inverse problems related to this complex subject. The kind of applica tion in question is the use of lasers for long-range monitoring of various physical parameters of the atmosphere-a new and highly promising direc tion in science and engineering.

Renewed interest in laser communication systems has sparked development of useful new analytic models. This book discusses optical scintillation and its impact on system performance in free-space optical communication and laser radar applications, with a detailed look at propagation phenomena and the role of scintillation on system behavior. Intended for practicing engineers, scientists, and students.

The material in this Field Guide is a condensed version of similar material found in two textbooks: Laser Beam Propagation through Random Media (SPIE Vol. PM53) and Laser Beam Scintillation with Applications (SPIE Vol. PM99). Topics chosen for this concise presentation include a review of classical Kolmogorov turbulence theory, Gaussian-beam waves in free space, and atmospheric effects on a propagating optical wave. These atmospheric effects have great importance in a variety of applications like imaging, free space optical communications, laser radar, and remote sensing. This Guide presents tractable mathematical models from which the practitioner can readily determine beam spreading, beam wander, spatial coherence radius (Fried's parameter), angle of arrival fluctuations, scintillation, aperture averaging effects, fade probabilities, bit error-rates, and enhanced backscatter effects, among others.

Nearly a decade aga a general review article on the evaluation of optical radia tion hazards was published in Applied Optics (Sliney and Freasier, 1973). This arti cle received many favorable comments but also prompted many inquiries regarding specific optical hazard problems. From this it became evident that a monograph rather than a supplemental and expanded article was needed to fill this literature gap relating to laser and optical radiation hazards. The present work is designed to fill that gap, and is structured to permit either classroom or self-study use. Much of the material in this book was developed in eonnection with short courses on laser safety and radiometry in which we have participated, as weIl as from our previous articles. In particular, the sequenee of chapters is based upon the experiences which we have had in lecturing in courses with different schedules. One of the great difficulties in developing a text of this nature is that a broad, multidisciplinary background must be included in order that the reader can comprehend all of the subjeet matter readily. For this reason, the material presented on anatomy and physiology is orien ted toward the engineer or physical scientist, while the review material on basic optical physics is intended more for the physician or life scientist.

This is a comprehensive tutorial on the emerging technology of free-space laser communications (FSLC). The book offers an all-inclusive source of information on the basics of FSLC, and a review of state-of-the-art technologies. Coverage includes atmospheric effects for laser propagation and FSLC systems performance and design. Free-Space Laser Communications is a valuable resource for engineers, scientists and students interested in laser communication systems designed for the atmospheric optical channel.

Laser beam combining techniques allow increasing the power of lasers far beyond what it is possible to obtain from a single conventional laser.One step further, coherent beam combining (CBC) also helps to maintain the very unique properties of the laser emission with respect to its spectral and spatial properties. Such lasers are of major interest for many applications, including industrial, environmental, defense, and scientific applications. Recently, significant progress has beenmade in coherent beam combining lasers, with a total output power of 100 kW already achieved. Scaling analysis indicates that further increase of output power with excellent beam quality is feasible by using existing state-of-the-art lasers. Thus, the knowledge of coherent beam combining techniques will become crucial for the design of next-generation highpower lasers. The purpose of this book is to present the more recent concepts of coherent beam combining by world leader teams in the field.

This book attempts to give a discussion of the physics and current and potential applications of the self-focusing of an intense femtosecond laser pulse in a tra- parent medium. Although self-focusing is an old subject of nonlinear optics, the consequence of self-focusing of intense femtosecond laser pulses is totally new and unexpected. Thus, new phenomena are observed, such as long range lam- tation, intensity clamping, white light laser pulse, self-spatial ltering, self-group phase locking, self-pulse compression, clean nonlinear uorescence, and so on. Long range propagation at high intensity, which is seemingly against the law of diffraction, is probably one of the most exciting consequences of this new sub- eld of nonlinear optics. Because the intensity inside the lament core is high, new ways of doing nonlinear optics inside the lament become possible. We call this lamentation nonlinear optics. We shall describe the generation of pulses at other wavelengths in the visible and ultraviolet (UV) starting from the near infrared pump pulse at 800 nm through four-wave-mixing and third harmonic generation, all in gases. Remotely sensing uorescence from the fragments of chemical and biological agents in all forms, gaseous, aerosol or solid, inside the laments in air is demonstrated in the labo- tory. The results will be shown in the last part of the book. Through analyzing the uorescence of gas molecules inside the lament, an unexpected physical process pertaining to the interaction of synchrotron radiation with molecules is observed.