Modelling high peak-power solid-state lasers

This thesis aims to improve existing design processes, increasing efficiency and reducing development costs through the use of numerical modelling techniques. This is achieved through leverage of existing modelling software, MATLAB and Zemax, and development of custom integrations, greatly enhancing their current capabilities.;This thesis is comprised of three distinct research projects the first of which details the development of a tool that enables automated analysis and interrogation of optical modelling systems. This tool was used to make recommendations in the design stages for a laser product developed at Thales UK Ltd., the sponsor company for this thesis.;The second major project concerned the modelling of a non-line-of-sight Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system, using ray-tracing techniques to simulate time-of-flight responses from obstructed scenes. These models were used to analyse and understand some of the underlying relationships that governed this novel technology, and the author of this thesis presented these results at the conference Advanced Optics for Defense Applications:UV through LWIR - Baltimore, United States in 2016 [1].;The final research chapter details the development of a temporal and spatially discrete, numerical model, for investigating the evolution of gain within an active medium, during the pumping period. Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) limits the energy available for useful gain and can severely impact the performance of highpower lasers, especially Q-switched systems.;This model confrimed expectations around a novel rod geometry for suppression in high-power solid-state gain medium that could see benefits for Q-switched systems. These recommendations are the first steps to securing further investment to progress these designs into the physical domain and can be used to explore further, at significantly reduced costs.;This project has produced a number of tools to benefit those developing solid-state laser systems.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

engd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Sroka, Adam

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Lee, Stephen
• Kemp, Alan

DOI

10.48730/35bp-vt12

Identifier

T15719

Author Identifier

201278649

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:w66343646