title: A laser beam quality definition based on induced temperature rise.
abstract: Laser beam quality metrics like M(2) can be used to describe the spot sizes and propagation behavior of a wide variety of non-ideal laser beams. However, for beams that have been diffracted by limiting apertures in the near-field, or those with unusual near-field profiles, the conventional metrics can lead to an inconsistent or incomplete description of far-field performance. This paper motivates an alternative laser beam quality definition that can be used with any beam. The approach uses a consideration of the intrinsic ability of a laser beam profile to heat a material. Comparisons are made with conventional beam quality metrics. An analysis on an asymmetric Gaussian beam is used to establish a connection with the invariant beam propagation ratio.
authors.affiliation: Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, 3550 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM 87117, USA. afrl.rdla.org.mbx@kirtland.af.mil
authors.forename: Harold C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013696:Temperature