Numerical analysis of the propagation of high-intensity laser radiation in the atmosphere

Abstract

The application of numerical methods makes it possible to carry out comprehensive investigations of the process of propagation of laser radiation in the atmosphere and to assess the influence of various factors on the efficiency of transmission of light energy over a distance, an objective that is often difficult to achieve in natural experiments. The successes of numerical experiments in nonlinear optics have opened the way for the first time to attack the problem of optimizing the interaction of radiation with matter and, in particular, to develop optimal methods for the phase correction of thermal blooming. Mathematical modeling methods play an important part in the design of adaptive optical systems for the focusing of radiation in a nonlinear medium, providing the means for assessing a priori their ultimate capabilities. The range of application of numerical methods in nonlinear optics is steadily expanding. Their future development will clearly entail the formulation of standard procedures and algorithms as well as collections of standard programs for a broad class of problems.