Particle size segregation in granular flow in silos

Segregation and layering of alumina in storage silos are investigated, with a view to predicting output quality versus time, given known variations in input quality on emplacement. A variety of experiments were conducted, existing relevant publications were reviewed, and the basis for an algorithm for predicting the effect of withdrawing from a central flowing region, in combination with variations in quality due to geometric, layering and segregation effects, is described in this report

Picosecond ionization dynamics in femtosecond filaments at high pressures

We investigate the plasma dynamics inside a femtosecond-pulse-induced filament generated in an argon gas for a wide range of pressures up to 60 bar. At higher pressures, we observe ionization immediately following a pulse, with up to a threefold increase in the electron density within 30 ps after the filamentary propagation of a femtosecond pulse. Our study suggests that this picosecond evolution can be attributed to collisional ionization including Penning and associative ionizations and electron-impact ionization of excited atoms generated during the pulse. The dominance of excited atoms over ionized atoms at the end of the pulse also indicates an intrapulse inhibition of avalanche ionization. This delayed ionization dynamics provides evidence for diagnosing atomic and molecular excitation and ionization in intense laser interaction with high-pressure gases

Phase-matched optical parametric conversion of ultrashort pulses in a hollow waveguide

We demonstrate for the first time nonresonant phase-matched frequency conversion of ultrashort pulses in gases. Broad-bandwidth ultrafast pulses, tunable around 270 nm, were generated from a Ti:sapphire amplifier system using 2ω+2ω−ω2ω+2ω−ω parametric wave mixing in a capillary waveguide. Both the fundamental and the second-harmonic light were coupled into the lowest-order (EH11)(EH11) mode. The output pulses have an energy >4μJ at a 1kHz repetition rate, in the EH11EH11 spatial mode. This method can be made to generate 10–20fs pulses, and is the first phase-matching technique which is applicable to frequency conversion into the deep- and vacuum-ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87447/2/331_1.pd

High power ultrafast lasers

In this article, we review progress in the development of high peak-power ultrafast lasers, and discuss in detail the design issues which determine the performance of these systems. Presently, lasers capable of generating terawatt peak powers with unprecedented short pulse duration can now be built on a single optical table in a small-scale laboratory, while large-scale lasers can generate peak power of over a petawatt. This progress is made possible by the use of the chirped-pulse amplification technique, combined with the use of broad-bandwidth laser materials such as Ti:sapphire, and the development of techniques for generating and propagating very short (10–30 fs) duration light pulses. We also briefly summarize some of the new scientific advances made possible by this technology, such as the generation of coherent femtosecond x-ray pulses, and the generation of MeV-energy electron beams and high-energy ions. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70759/2/RSINAK-69-3-1207-1.pd

Generation of broadband VUV light using third-order cascaded processes

Includes bibliographical references (pages 013601-4).We report the first demonstration of broadband VUV light generation through cascaded nonlinear wave mixing in a gas. Using a hollow-fiber geometry to achieve broad-bandwidth phase-matching, frequency conversion of ultrashort-pulse Ti:sapphire laser pulses from the visible into the deep UV around 200 and160 nm is achieved. A new type of quasi-phase-matching is also observed in the VUV for the first time. Conversion using cascaded processes exhibits higher efficiencies, shorter pulse durations, and broader bandwidths than other schemes for generating light in the deep UV, and will enable many applications in science and technology

Generation of broadband VUV light using third-order cascaded processes

Includes bibliographical references (pages 013601-4).We report the first demonstration of broadband VUV light generation through cascaded nonlinear wave mixing in a gas. Using a hollow-fiber geometry to achieve broad-bandwidth phase-matching, frequency conversion of ultrashort-pulse Ti:sapphire laser pulses from the visible into the deep UV around 200 and160 nm is achieved. A new type of quasi-phase-matching is also observed in the VUV for the first time. Conversion using cascaded processes exhibits higher efficiencies, shorter pulse durations, and broader bandwidths than other schemes for generating light in the deep UV, and will enable many applications in science and technology

Role of surface roughness in hard x-ray emission from femtosecond laser produced copper plasmas

The hard x-ray emission in the energy range of 30-300 keV from copper plasmas produced by 100 fs, 806 nm laser pulses at intensities in the range of 10$^{15}-10^{16}$ W cm$^{-2}$ is investigated. We demonstrate that surface roughness of the targets overrides the role of polarization state in the coupling of light to the plasma. We further show that surface roughness has a significant role in enhancing the x-ray emission in the above mentioned energy range.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.