E-Thesis 678 views 187 downloads
Adaptive shaping of laser beams for high-harmonic generation applications / BENJAMIN HEATH
Swansea University Author: BENJAMIN HEATH
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.61184
Abstract
This thesis explores the use of adaptive optics to create tailored laser profiles to drive the process of high-order harmonic generation (HHG).A deformable mirror controlled by a genetic, simulated-annealing algorithm (SA), and a genetic-annealing hybrid algorithm (HA) have been used to create super...
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Swansea
2022
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | O’Keeffe, Kevin |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61184 |
| Abstract: |
This thesis explores the use of adaptive optics to create tailored laser profiles to drive the process of high-order harmonic generation (HHG).A deformable mirror controlled by a genetic, simulated-annealing algorithm (SA), and a genetic-annealing hybrid algorithm (HA) have been used to create super-Gaussian intensity profiles of orders ranging from P = 1 to P = 2 using a low-powered He-Ne laser. Between these three algorithms it was found that there is a compromise between the algorithm performance and reliability, and the algorithm complexity.Simulated super-Gaussian beam-shaping with a phase-only SLM has been performed with a SA and HA algorithm and compared to a known π-shift method. The HA has shown an improvement in super-Gaussian quality for high orders, P ≈ 2.6.Simulations of HHG driven by super-Gaussian driver fields have been made using both the simple dipole model and the strong field approximation. It has been shown that HHG beam divergence decreases with increased order P . The fringe visibility has also been calculated as a measure of coherence. |
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| Item Description: |
ORCiD identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9460-3042 |
| Keywords: |
Adaptive optics, beam shaping, high-order harmonic generation, HHG, high powered lasers, laser physics, super-Gaussian, learning algorithms |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |