[en] Firstly, according to the mode of UAV fleet operation and air defense means, the model of operational effectiveness evaluation system for anti-UAV fleet is built. Then, a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process based on triangular fuzzy number to represent importance is selected to determine the weights of different indexes in the system. The validity of the model is verified by evaluating two examples, the US Nimitz and the Russian Kuznetsov. The laser weapon, high power microwave weapon and electronic jamming equipment in the Nimitz carrier have been improved for the anti-UAV fleet operation effect, which has been evaluated to be better than before. (paper)

[en] A series of studies by the Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office and NASA have identified the critical role played by large optics in fulfilling many of the space related missions of these agencies. Whether it is the Next Generation Space Telescope for NASA, high resolution imaging systems for NRO, or beam weaponry for the Air Force, the diameter of the primary optic is central to achieving high resolution (imaging) or a small spot size on target (lethality). While the detailed requirements differ for each application (high resolution imaging over the visible and near-infrared for earth observation, high damage threshold but single-wavelength operation for directed energy), the challenges of a large, lightweight primary optic which is space compatible and operates with high efficiency are the same. The advantage of such large optics to national surveillance applications is that it permits these observations to be carried-out with much greater effectiveness than with smaller optics. For laser weapons, the advantage is that it permits more tightly focused beams which can be leveraged into either greater effective range, reduced laser power, and/or smaller on-target spot-sizes; weapon systems can be made either much more effective or much less expensive. This application requires only single-wavelength capability, but places an emphasis upon robust, rapidly targetable optics. The advantages of large aperture optics to astronomy are that it increases the sensitivity and resolution with which we can view the universe. This can be utilized either for general purpose astronomy, allowing us to examine greater numbers of objects in more detail and at greater range, or it can enable the direct detection and detailed examination of extra-solar planets. This application requires large apertures (for both light-gathering and resolution reasons), with broad-band spectral capability, but does not emphasize either large fields-of-view or pointing agility. Despite differences in their requirements and implementations, the fundamental difficulty in utilizing large aperture optics is the same for all of these applications: It is extremely difficult to design large aperture space optics which are both optically precise and can meet the practical requirements for launch and deployment in space. At LLNL we have developed a new concept (Eyeglass) which uses large diffractive optics to solve both of these difficulties; greatly reducing both the mass and the tolerance requirements for large aperture optics. During previous LDRD-supported research, we developed this concept, built and tested broadband diffractive telescopes, and built 50 cm aperture diffraction-limited diffractive lenses (the largest in the world). This work is fully described in UCRL-ID--136262, Eyeglass: A Large Aperture Space Telescope. However, there is a large gap between optical proof-of-principle with sub-meter apertures, and actual 50 meter space telescopes. This gap is far too large (both in financial resources and in spacecraft expertise) to be filled internally at LLNL; implementation of large aperture diffractive space telescopes must be done externally using non-LLNL resources and expertise. While LLNL will never become the primary contractor and integrator for large space optical systems, our natural role is to enable these devices by developing the capability of producing very large diffractive optics. Accordingly, the purpose of the Large Aperture, Lightweight Space Optics Strategic Initiative was to develop the technology to fabricate large, lightweight diffractive lenses. The additional purpose of this Strategic Initiative was, of course, to demonstrate this lens-fabrication capability in a fashion compellingly enough to attract the external support necessary to continue along the path to full-scale space-based telescopes. During this 3 year effort (FY2000-FY2002) we have developed the capability of optically smoothing and diffractively-patterning thin meter-sized sheets of glass into lens panels. We have also developed alignment and seaming techniqu es which allow individual lens panels to be assembled together, forming a much larger, segmented, diffractive lens. The capabilities provided by this LDRD-supported developmental effort were then demonstrated by the fabrication and testing of a lightweight, 5 meter aperture, diffractive lens

[en] By combining newly developed technologies to engineer composite laser components with state of the art diode laser pump delivery technologies, we are in a position to demonstrate high beam quality, continuous wave, laser radiation at scaleable high average powers. The crucial issues of our composite thin disk laser technology were demonstrated during a successful first light effort. The high continuous wave power levels that are now within reach make this system of high interest to future DoD initiatives in solid-state laser technology for the laser weapon arena

[en] Along with the development of high energy or high power lasers, especially laser weapon and lasers for controlled nuclear fusion, the laser induced damage threshold of the optical films gradually becomes the bottleneck against the development of the lasers, which is of considerable interest from the world. Laser induced damage mechanism of optical films, test flat and method for laser induced damage threshold were expatiated. The development of researches on the technologies and methods for laser damage resistance of optical films at home and abroad, which included ion beam pretreatment, ion beam or anneal treatment, pretest coating with the materials of high refractive index and so on, were analyzed. The pulsed laser deposition with magnetic filter technology was emphasized in the expectation, and the atom layer deposition was advised to accelerate to develop, which supplied the theoretic base to improve the laser damage resistance of optical films to settle for current requirements. (authors)

[en] This report provides highlights of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories' laser programs. Laser uses and technology assessment and utilization are provided

[en] The fiftieth anniversary celebration has this characteristic which it makes it possible to carry a retrospective glance on the evolution of a subject. From this point of view, the LASER, as a scientific concept or a technological tool, does not escape the rule. This article recalls the historical contributions leading to the first demonstration of the laser effect by Theodore Maiman in 1960, starting from a theoretical concept established by Albert Einstein in 1917. This demonstration naturally opened a strong activity in the laboratories. It resulted in the creation of instruments which took part in the enrichment of knowledge in the fields of physics, chemistry and the biomedical one. In our daily life, the communications, the information storage, the imagery, lighting and the industrial tools profited from the properties of the coherent or quasi-coherent emission of the light. Each one of these applications to follow-up its own evolutions which we will also try to describe in this article. (author)

[en] After having recalled the various uses of the LCLS (an X-ray laser installed in the tunnel of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center or SLAC) in the study in atom physics and plasma, in condensed matter physics and in biology, the authors describe how the researchers also use the LCLS like a fast camera to follow the evolution of quantum systems, or to reveal the structure of proteins and biological molecules: they describe how ultra-intense X pulses generated by this laser create new matter statuses, and how, used as a camera, the LCLS can record chemical transformations occurring within less than a fraction of second (10**-9 s), or can record snapshots of proteins or viruses. They also evoke how X-ray lasers were planned to be used within the Strategic Defence Initiative launched by President Reagan, and how the research installation was transformed into a free electron laser (the operation of such a laser is described)