DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY


Annual Directed Energy Science and Technology Symposium
8 April 2019 Destin, Florida





 

Overview

Final Agenda

Symposium Contacts

DE Student Workshop

 

Short Courses

The short courses listed below were offered on Monday, 8 April. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits were awarded by DEPS for completion of the short courses.


    Morning Courses

  1. Introduction to HEL Systems (Dist A)

  2. Introduction to HPM Systems (Dist C)

  3. Introduction to Beam Control (Dist A)

  4. Introduction to HEL Lethality Test and M&S (Dist C)

  5. Directed Energy Bio-Effects (Dist D)

  6. Windows and Coatings (Dist A)
    Afternoon Courses

  1. HEL Modeling (Dist C)

  2. High Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons and Their Effects (Dist C)

  3. Atmospheric Laser Propagation (Dist C)

  4. Warfighter 101 (Dist A)

  5. Introduction to Ultrashort Pulse Lasers: Systems, Propagation, and Interactions (Dist D)

  6. Intro to High Power Semiconductor Laser Pump Sources (Dist C)


Course 1.  Introduction to High Energy Laser Systems

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation A

Instructor: Matthew Leigh, DE JTO

Duration: Half-day course, 0800 to 1200

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description:This lecture will introduce the field of HEL weapons and their associated technologies using an interweaving of technical requirements, history, and accomplishments. The basic attributes of HEL weapons will be covered, leading into discussions of laser-material interaction, lethality, potential weapon applications, system requirements, laser power scaling, propagation, and beam control. DoD interest in tactical applications, current technical issues, and areas of research emphasis will be highlighted.

Intended Audience: This course is geared to those with a technical background who seek an overview of HEL technology and the current state of the art. Individuals who are beginning to work in the field or technical managers who wish an integrated overview would benefit from the class.

Instructor Biography: Matthew Leigh earned his BS in Physics from Brigham Young University. He earned his PhD in Physics at the University of Arizona, and his dissertation work was on pulsed fiber lasers under the direction of Dr. Nasser Peyghambarian. He worked at Spectra-Physics, NP Photonics, and Envisioneering before entering government service. He helped out with a number of projects at NSWC-DD, including the LaWS program. He was selected to serve as the Navy Science and Technology Representative at the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office where he has been overseeing the university Multidisciplinary Research Initiative program and the Atmospheric Propagation TAWG.


Course 2.  Introduction to High Power Microwave Systems

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation C

Instructor:
    -  Samuel Gutierrez, AFRL
    -  Sterling Beeson, AFRL

Duration: Half-day course, 0800-1200

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course will provide an introduction to RF Directed Energy weapons, also known as High Power Microwave (HPM) weapons. The course consists of five parts: 1) a general introduction to the basic terms and concepts, 2) prime power and pulsed power systems needed to drive HPM devices, 3) HPM sources to include concepts and examples, 4) HPM narrowband and wideband antennas, and 5) design and fabrication of HPM systems.

At the end of the class, students will know what RF-DEWs are and how they differ from classical Electronic Warfare and nuclear EMP. Students will learn the various ways to design and develop HPM subsystems to include the fundamental concepts through the practical construction of such systems (science and engineering). Technology discussions will show the difference between narrow band (NB) and ultra-wide band (UWB) sources, antennas and diagnostics, as well as the principal elements of the power systems needed to support them. The course concludes with a examples of HPM systems developed in the recent years. Topics to be covered include:

  • Definitions, motivation, notional concepts
  • Technology - Power Sources and Power Conditioning, Microwave Oscillators, Antennas, Diagnostics
  • System level design for multiple application

Intended Audience: Newcomers to the field of RF-DEW or managers with some background in science and engineering will benefit the most from this course.

Instructor Biographies:

Sam Gutierrez has over 30 years of experience in directing and performing RDT&E programs. He has worked extensively in Simulation, Effects, Test, and Prototyping of both HPM and High Energy Laser systems. He has had assignments in HPM, Optics, HPC, Test, and as Staff Specialist for DEW at the ASD/R&E. He is currently a Principal Engineer and Program Manager in the AFRL/RD HPM division. He holds an MSEE from the New Mexico State University, a BSEE from the University of New Mexico, DAU level 3 Ratings in SE and S&T management, and FAA Pilot ratings in airplane and rotary wing aircraft.

Sterling Beeson is currently a Research Electronics Engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM, USA. He works in the Directed Energy Directorate under the High Power Electromagnetic Division where he conducts research on HPEM sources and systems. He received a BS in Applied Physics from Angelo State University and a MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University for his work on pulsed RF generated plasmas with an emphasis on pulsed power, low temperature plasma physics, and microwave engineering.


Course 3.  Introduction to Beam Control

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation A

Instructor: Mark Spencer, AFRL

Duration: Half-day course, 0800-1200

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This half-day course closely follows the material presented in six chapters of a recently published DEPS textbook entitled: "Beam Control for Laser Systems, 2nd Edition." By the end of this course, the interested student will have been exposed to beam-control topics ranging from optics fundamentals to adaptive optics (see the full list below). Thus, the interested student will have been exposed to the introductory material needed to become independent learners with respect to beam-control technology.

Please note that a copy of "Beam Control for Laser Systems, 2nd Edition" will be provided as part of this half-day course. The material presented in this textbook is tutorial in nature with exercises found at the back of each chapter. A companion CD also provides solutions with MATLAB code for these exercises.

Topics to be covered include:

  • Optics fundamentals (Chapter 2)
  • Systems engineering (Chapter 3)
  • Classical controls (Chapter 5)
  • Modern controls (Chapter 6)
  • Optical train Components (Chapter 11)
  • Adaptive optics (Chapter 14)

Intended Audience: This course is for the working professional. Both technical personnel and program managers will benefit from the material presented. With that said, the material presented assumes an undergraduate education in science and engineering.

Instructor Biography: Mark Spencer is the Principal Investigator for the Aero Effects and Beam Control Program at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optical Sciences and Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) within the Department of Engineering Physics. Mark obtained his BS degree in Physics from the University of Redlands in 2008 and his MS and PhD degrees in Optical Sciences and Engineering from AFIT in 2011 and 2014, respectively. He is an active member of DEPS (since 2007) and is a coauthor of the textbook used for this half-day course.


Course 4.  Introduction to HEL Lethality Test and M&S

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation D

Instructors:
    -  Dr. Christopher Lloyd, Navy
    -  Dr. Michael Sheyka, AFRL
    -  Bryan Knott, NSWC
    -  Chuck LaMar, SMDC

Day/Time: Half day course, 0800-1200

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: The Tri-Service Lethality Test and M&S course will address joint data collection standards to be applied during the planning and execution of the test to assure meaningful and accurate data is collected. It will describe various measurement techniques for measuring beam characteristics as well as other laser parameters during the execution of lethality tests. Experimental test setup and processes will be described along with data acquisition requirements for targets, facility and test conditions as well as the instrumentation and equipment necessary to acquire those measurements. Discussions of testing strategy for successful conduct of full scale, dynamic testing will also be detailed. Included will be explaining the importance and development of test matrices to describe all the key test parameters.

M&S will be addressed with descriptions of the models, codes and tools utilized to analyze and predict Laser System performance in a variety of ground-based, air-based and at-sea based scenarios. Model discussions will include high-fidelity physics based models as well as fast-running codes to provide vulnerability assessment for system level modeling codes. The high-fidelity modeling will describe the key parameters and the physics associated with laser / material interaction. Engineering-level modeling codes will be described that identifies the key target and laser parameters used to analyze a wide set of target scenarios and engagements.

Intended Audience: Students attending this course should have an undergraduate degree in science or engineering. The course is tailored for the system program manager, system designer, and the lethality analyst who are interested in learning the full gamut of HEL lethality and target vulnerability analysis and testing. Experience in the field would be helpful but not necessary.

Instructor Biographies:

Dr. Michael Sheyka received his Master's in civil engineering and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He has worked on laser effects research for the past seven years. He has published papers in a number of scientific journals and conferences as well as taught undergraduate level engineering courses at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Sheyka has been a Mechanical Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) since 2015. He is currently the Laser Effects Modeling and Simulation Branch engineering level modeling and assessments principal investigator. He previously worked as a thermal analyst for Ball Aerospace under contract with AFRL performing high fidelity modeling for pre- and post-test analysis. He currently performs high fidelity modeling and analysis, and provides briefings and test support for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, and their clients. His technical expertise includes laser-material interactions, finite element and hydrodynamic simulation, testing and modeling, uncertainty quantification, and optimization methodologies.


Course 5.  Directed Energy Bio-Effects

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation D

Instructor: Benjamin Rockwell, AFRL

Duration: Half-day course, runs 800-1200

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course will present and discuss the effects of optical and radio frequency energy upon biological systems. With the proliferation of directed energy (DE) sources in the military environment there is increasing need for understanding DE bioeffects to protecting our troops from incidental or intentional exposure. We will present the mechanisms through which biology may be affected by DE and the power levels required to produce effects. This information will be set within a safety, legal, and policy context to illuminate the challenges faced by DE systems as they navigate the acquisition environment. Topics include:

  • Why is the Department of Defense Interested in Directed Energy Bioeffects?
  • Laser Bioeffects
  • Applications and Considerations
  • Modeling Hazards and Assessing Effectiveness
  • Mechanisms of Damage for tissues
  • Eye Vs. Skin
    • Long Exposures
    • Moderate Length Exposures
    • Short Pulse Exposures
  • Special Considerations
  • Laser Summary
  • RF Bioeffects
  • Damage Mechanisms and Modeling
    • whole body
    • skin
    • eyes
  • Dosimetry
  • RF Case Studies

Intended Audience: This course is intended for anyone interested in the biological effects of laser and radio frequency energy. Rigorous scientific directed energy bioeffects information will be presented in a context of safety, legal, and systems development

Instructor Biobraphy: Dr. Benjamin A. Rockwell is a Principal Research Physicist in the Optical Radiation Branch, Bioeffects Division, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. Dr. Rockwell serves as the Advanced Laser Bioeffects team leader, guiding a team to develop recommendations to change the national and international laser safety standards based on solid scientific investigation of hazards. He is a Fellow of SPIE, the Laser Institute of America, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.


Course 6.  Windows and Coatings

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation A

Instructor: Bill Decker

Day/Time: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description:

Windows - issues and solutions

  • How are these windows different?
  • What are the options for materials?
  • What are the performance specs that are important to DE?
  • Optical polishing technology - current state of the art

Coatings

  • Why are they still a problem?
  • Where can I get the work done?

Intended Audience: All with a desire to learn about optical materials and high performance coatings. A background in optics is not required, but will enhance a student's experience. No formal training is required.

Instructor Biography: Mr. Decker served twenty years in the US Army, including assignments as a Physics Instructor at the US Military Academy and as Research and Development Coordinator at the Army's Night Vision and Electro-Optics Laboratory. Since his retirement, he has held management positions at ITT Night Vision, the University of Texas Applied Research Laboratory and at L-3 Brashear. He recently retired as the Director, Technology Transition Center of Excellence at the Defense Acquisition University, where he also taught engineering and science and technology management courses. Mr. Decker is a graduate of Cornell University and the Naval Postgraduate School.


Course 7.  HEL Modeling

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation C

Instructor: Linda Lamberson

Day/Time: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course will provide a survey of modeling and simulation tools used in HEL system analysis and how they can be used together at every level of the modeling and simulation (M&S) pyramid. The course will include a description of HEL modeling tools in three levels of M&S to include: 1) Engineering/Physics, 2) Engagement, and 3) Mission. Each of these areas will be covered during the half-day course with an emphasis on end-to-end system modeling, model fidelity/complexity trade-offs, examples of specific types of analysis applications, and operational considerations necessary to represent HEL capabilities accurately in engagement and mission-level environments. At the end of the course, the student should expect to gain a familiarity with the broad scope of HEL modeling, many of the existing tools, and examples of how to use them together for various types of analytical applications.

List of Topics:

  • Survey of many existing HEL modeling tools
  • Methods to use the tools together to perform end-to-end system modeling
  • Overview of the levels of the M&S pyramid and how to use them for different analysis objectives
  • Operational considerations necessary to accurately represent HEL capabilities in engagement and mission-level environments

Intended Audience: US Government personnel and their contractors who are interested in methods and tools to assess realistic end-to-end HEL system performance through available modeling and simulation tools. The course is designed for systems engineers, operations research analysts, program managers or technologists who are interested in learning the applications of modeling and simulation techniques to evaluate HEL system performance and operational effectiveness. Technical managers or professionals with experience in HEL systems or individuals who are beginning to work in the field would benefit from the class.

Instructor Biography: Ms. Linda Lamberson is a career Military Operations Research Analyst with 35 years of experience in system effectiveness assessment, simulation and modeling, system capability and utility analysis, systems engineering, and development planning for acquisition programs of record. After completing 34 years of service as an Air Force civilian, Ms. Lamberson currently works as an independent consultant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ms. Lamberson graduated from the University of West Florida with a BA in applied mathematics and received her MS in Management Science from Troy University. She served as a senior operations research analyst in the Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico from 2004 to 2017. Prior to coming to the Directed Energy Directorate, Ms. Lamberson spent more than 20 years working in systems engineering and acquisition support for the Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Florida.


Course 8.  High Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons and Their Effects

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation C

Instructor: John Tatum, SURVICE Engineering Company

Day/Time: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course is an introductory course to High Power Radio Frequency/Microwave (HPM) Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) and their effects. The course will cover what HPM weapons are, the type of weapons - Narrowband and Wideband, how the weapons are like, but different from traditional Electronic Warfare (EW) and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), how the HPM energy couples in to a target's electronics and their effects. The course will also cover some of the basic modeling and simulation tools for computing/estimating the probability of target failure as a function of weapon power density and range. Finally, we will show an example of how to determine hardening requirements for a notional helicopter against an HPM weapon.

Some topics include:

  • What are HPM DEW weapons?
  • Why Does the Warfighter Care About HPM DEWs?
  • What are the Types of HPM DEWs?
  • How are HPM DEWs similar to EW and EMP, but different?
  • How Does HPM DEW energy couple into a target?
  • What are the Effects of HPM DEW?
  • How can we Compute/Estimate the HPM DEW Level Required to Produce System Failure?
  • How can we Protect our Systems Against HPM DEW Environments?

Intended Audience: This course is intended for those individuals that are looking for an introduction to High Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons and their effects on target systems. The course assumes that the student has some science/engineering background and understands some Radio Frequency/Microwave theory and techniques.

Instructor Biography: John T. Tatum is an electronic system's engineer with over 44 years of experience in Radar, Electronic Warfare (EW), Electromagnetic (EM) Effects and Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) and their effects. Mr. Tatum now works for the SURVICE Engineering Company as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) EW and Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons (RF DEWs) and their effects. He also acts as a SME for the Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) and provides information on RF DEW technology and effects.

Before SURVICE, he worked for the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Adelphi, Md. {formerly Harry Diamond Laboratories (HDL)} in ARL's RF Electronics Division for almost 37 years, where he directed and participated in High Power RF/Microwave (HPM) effects investigations on military systems and supporting infrastructure. Mr. Tatum also investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of RF DEW concepts for various Army applications. Mr. Tatum was the Army chairman of the RF DE Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manual (JMEM) Working Group and chaired RF Effects Panel for the OSD Technology Panel on DEW. He is a fellow of the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS) and has published several papers on RF susceptibility assessments, system effects investigations and effects data bases in both DoD and IEEE conferences. In his spare time, Mr. Tatum is a volunteer teacher for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to elementary, middle and high school students.


Course 9.  Atmospheric Laser Propagation

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation C

Instructors:
    -  Steven Fiorino, AFIT
    -  Jaclyn Schmidt, AFIT

Duration: Half-day course, 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course addresses how to characterize and quantify the major effects of the atmosphere on directed energy weapons propagation. A first principles atmospheric propagation and characterization code called the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) is described and demonstrated. LEEDR enables the creation of climatologically- or numerical weather prediction (NWP)-derived vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, water vapor content, optical turbulence, and atmospheric particulates and hydrometeors as they relate to line-by-line or band-averaged layer extinction coefficient magnitude at any wavelength from 200 nm to 8.6 m. Applying those atmospheric effects to High Energy Lasers (HELs) is addresses by introducing and demonstrating a high-fidelity scaling-law HEL propagation coded called the High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation HELEEOS. The course outline is as follows:

  • Intro to atmospheric structure and constituents
    • Atmospheric boundary layer
    • Aerosol / fog / clouds
  • Atmospheric radiative / propagation effects
    • Extinction, refraction
    • Optical turbulence, scintillation
    • Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR)
  • HEL thermal blooming effects in the atmosphere
  • Optics, beam control: turbulence / thermal blooming compensation
  • Coherent beam combining
  • High Energy Laser End to End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS)

Intended Audience: US Government personnel and their direct contractors who have program requirements for or are interested in methods and tools to assess realistic environments and environmental effects for HEL modeling and simulation, HEL mission planning, and/or military systems operations. The course assumes the students have some technical background in radiative transfer through the atmosphere--either via an undergraduate degree or career experience.

Instructor Biographies: Steven T. Fiorino received his BS degrees in geography and meteorology from Ohio State (1987) and Florida State (1989) universities. He additionally holds an MS in atmospheric dynamics from Ohio State (1993) and a PhD in physical meteorology from Florida State (2002). He is a retired USAF Lt Col who is currently an Associate Professor of atmospheric physics within the Engineering Physics Department at AFIT and is the director of the AFIT Center for Directed Energy. His research interests include microwave remote sensing, development of weather signal processing algorithms, and atmospheric effects on military systems such as high-energy lasers and weapons of mass destruction. Dr. Fiorino is a member of SPIE, AMS, AIAA, OSA, and DEPS.

Jaclyn E. Schmidt received her BS degree in meteorology (2010) from the University of South Alabama, and her professional career is rooted in atmospheric and oceanographic data analysis for DoD and military service support, including NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and the Naval Oceanographic Office. She is currently the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) POC for the Center for Directed Energy (CDE) at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Her research interests include numerical weather modeling, aerosol effects on radiative transfer, and enhancements to modeling and simulations tools as they relate to the directed energy and intelligence communities. She is a member of DEPS and AMS.


Course 10.  Warfighter 101

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation A

Instructors:
    -  Dan A. Isbell, USAF, Retired
    -  Robert M. Newton, USAF, Retired

Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course provides a general overview of directed energy weapons, including high energy laser (HEL) and high power microwave (HPM) systems. The emphasis is on the operationally distinguishing characteristics of systems nearing deployment. A special feature of the course is the availability of system simulators for use by the students. The simulators are being provided by AEgis Technologies Group and by Schafer Corporation. Topics to be covered include:

  • Overview of HEL Systems
  • Overview of HPM Systems
  • HEL Simulation
  • HPM Simulation

Intended Audience: This course is intended for students without a technical background as an introduction to the operational characteristics of HEL and HPM systems.

Instructor Biographies: Dan Isbell brings a broad range of expertise and experience to the defense and technology industry with his 27 years of service in the US Air Force. His insight comes from an educational background that includes a Master's degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. During his Air Force career he also completed flight school, test pilot school, Senior Acquisition Manager's course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the professional military service schools.

Dan's formal education and training founded his broad experience in aircraft and weapons airworthiness certification and program management, business development and integration, technology and engineering, fighter aircraft and special operations. His positions include Chief, F-16 Systems Program Office, Commander of 514th Flight Test Squadron, Operations Research Systems Analyst for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis & Evaluation, Air Vehicle Program Manager for F/A-22 Systems Program Office, Chief of Weapon System Sector and Technology Integration Lead for Battlefield Air Operations Kit National Team.

Bob Newton is an advanced systems developer with nearly 20-year DE experience. Currently he leads a defense technology company in applying his over 35-years of US Air Force and commercial industry experience. Beginning with a technical education in Aerospace Engineering from The Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, his mission perspective comes from F-16 fighter and special operations. He is an acquisition professional and test pilot with over 4500 hours in over 60 types of aircraft. His specific acquisition related responsibilities involved F-16 performance / flying qualities / avionics / sensors / weapons flight test and airworthiness certification, F-22 program management, Air Force Material Command headquarters, Pentagon Air Staff, and industry. He has commanded flying units and is a veteran of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.


Course 11.  Introduction to Ultrashort Pulse Lasers: Systems, Propagation, and Interactions

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation D

Instructor: Michael Helle, Naval Research Laboratory

Duration:Half-day course, runs 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This course provides a general overview of some of the unique properties of Ultrashort Pulse Lasers (USPL), with an emphasis on how they interact with materials as well as the physics that govern USPL propagation. The lecture will focus on theoretical, computational, and experimental results to provide attendees insight into the various nonlinear mechanisms that differentiate USPLs from traditional laser sources. The course will include an introduction to USPL architecture, a survey of source technologies, and recent developments with an aim towards system ruggedization. The course will end with a discussion of USPL capabilities that may be enabled by near-term and next-generation systems.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for those individuals that are looking for an introduction to Ultrashort Pulse Laser physics, systems, and potential applications. The course assumes that the student has some science/engineering background and has some understanding of optics theory and techniques.

Instructor Biography: Dr. Michael Helle is a research physicist within the Plasma Physics Division at the Naval Research Laboratory. He received his B.S. in Mathematical Physics from Case Western Reserve in 2005, and his Ph.D. degree from Georgetown University in 2010. For his dissertation work on Laser Wakefield Acceleration, he was awarded the Harold N. Glassman Dissertations Award. His interests include experimental and numerical research in the areas of intense laser propagation effects, material interactions, advanced particle acceleration, novel radiation sources, nonlinear optics, relativistic quantum electrodynamics, and effective media. He has 50 scientific publications, 4 US patents, was awarded a 2011 NERSC Initiative for Scientific Exploration (NISE) grant, and was a 2013, 2014, and 2016 NRL Alan Berman Publication awardee.


Course 12.  Introduction to High Power Semiconductor Lasers for Directed Energy Applications

Classification: Unclassified, Distribution Limitation C

Instructor: Paul Leisher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700

CEUs awarded: 0.35

Course Description: This short course will cover a broad range of topics related to semiconductor laser pump sources for directed energy applications. This half-day course is aimed at consumers of semiconductor lasers who wish to learn more about the technology behind these devices. A broad range of introductory topics are covered including theory, design, growth, fabrication, characterization, and packaging. Advanced topics including facet passivation technology, optical design approaches for high efficiency fiber coupling, and approaches for wavelength stabilization are also presented.

Topics include:

  • Phenomenological treatment of the theory of semiconductor laser operation
  • Overview of the fabrication of high power semiconductor lasers
  • Electrical, optical, and thermal characteristics of diode lasers
  • Design of high power semiconductor lasers: thermal management and efficiency
  • Reliability of diode lasers including failure modes and facet passivation technology
  • Spatial brightness and fiber coupling
  • Spectral brightness and wavelength stabilization

Intended Audience: This course is aimed primarily at users of semiconductor laser pump sources who wish to learn more about the technology behind these devices. Much of the course will be spent addressing practical aspects (both technical and business) of diode lasers, and as such, engineers and managers alike are expected to benefit. A basic undergraduate education in science or engineering is assumed.

Instructor Biography: Dr. Paul O. Leisher is Chief Engineer - Diode Lasers with the Laser Systems Engineering and Operation Division at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Prior to joining LLNL, Dr. Leisher served as Associate Professor of Physics and Optical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, Indiana) and as the Manager of Advanced Technology at nLight Corporation (Vancouver, Washington). He earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Bradley University (Peoria, Illinois) in 2002 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2004 and 2007, respectively. Dr. Leisher's research interests include the design, fabrication, characterization, and analysis of high-power semiconductor lasers and other photonic devices. He has authored more than 200 technical journal articles and conference presentations and has served as the principal investigator on 48 funded research projects. Dr. Leisher is a senior member of both SPIE and IEEE.


Course Fees

 

  Single Class Two Classes
   Full-time students $0 $0
   Others $300 $550

Registration

To register for a short course separate from the Annual DE S&T Symposium, select one of the following options. (If you plan to also register for the Symposium, you may use the Symposium registration form instead.)

  • Complete this form to register on-line. Note that on-line registration does not require on-line payment.

    Some organizations have installed web filters that prevent on-line registration from inside their facilities. If this appears to be true for you, please try again off-site or use the registration option below.

  • Print this registration form (in PDF format) and follow the instructions provided.

Persons requesting cancellation through 11 March will receive a full refund. Cancellations after 11 March are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. There will be no refunds after 5 April.


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Last updated: 23 April 2019