Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Theory and simulations of the railgun and free electron laser are presented, as well as a suggestion for extending the railgun lifecycle. The theory, design, and analysis of an electromagnetic railgun using a numerical model are discussed. The effects of varying electrical pulse formations, rail materials and geometries are explored. The application of a metallurgical process to mitigate hypervelocity gouging in railgun rails is proposed. This concept, to delay the onset velocity of gouging by laser-peening rails surfaces, may significantly increase the velocity at which projectiles acceptably traverse the barrel and extend the useful life of rails. If successful, this process would apply to any pair of materials in sliding contact at high relative velocity, including rocket sled tracks and light gas guns barrels. The status of proof-of-concept tests at LLNL, UC Davis, and UT is covered. FEL simulations investigating the effect that electron beam focal point variations have on the optical mode within the undulator are presented. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

The Free Electron Laser (FEL) can provide the naval surface combatant with a directed energy weapon that can be used against a large target set. Due to space constraints in a shipboard installation, an exploration is conducted to show the feasibility of short Rayleigh length FELs using a FEL simulation. Low atmosphere engagements are discussed through the modeling of a turbulence module for laser propagation in cruise missile defense applications. In particular, this thesis explores the difficulties in engaging a short/medium range theater ballistic missile (TBM) in the terminal phase as an engagement scenario in support of littoral operations using HELCoMES, developed by SAIC, as an engagement analysis tool. A concept of operations (CONOPS) for the use of a FEL as an area TBM defensive weapon is explored, using a unitary, high explosive warhead model and extrapolations to other TBM warhead types.

by Lee Yuk Yan. / Chinese title in romanization: Chang cong xiang ci chang zi you dian zi ji guang fang da qi di jing dian li lun. / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 45-47.

by Tsui Wan-lam. / Chinese title in romanization: Zi you dian zi ji guang fang da qi ji zhen dang qi di jing dian li lun. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 93-95.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Colson, William B. ; Blau, Joseph. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 28, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Free-electron lasers, FEL simulations, undulators, FEL oscillators, FEL amplifiers, diamond field-emitter arrays, field emission cathodes, cathode test cell. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Colson, William B. ; Blau, Joseph. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 28, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Free Electron Laser, FEL, misalignment, mirror, electron beam, optical field, cathode, test cell, electron gun. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): William Colson, Joseph Blau. Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-60). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): William B. Colson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 49). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Bruce C. Denardo, Thomas J. Hofler. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81). Also available online.