Thesis (M.S. in Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2010. / Thesis Advisor(s): Colson, William B. ; Cohn, Keith. ; Second Reader: Armstead, Robert. "June 2010." Description based on title screen as viewed on July 14, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Free electron laser, railgun, electric ship, laser weapons system, integrated power system. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Combat Systems Technology)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Donald L. Walters, Alfred W. Cooper. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74). Also available online.

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, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Bruce C. Denardo, Thomas J. Hofler. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81). Also available online.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Thermo mechanical modeling and simulation of a satellite and intercontinental ballistic missile assumes importance due to the increased interest in assessing the potential of such attacks. Effective and innovative methods are sought in assessing the structural integrity of such structural components. In this study, we present modeling and simulation aspects of two generic models loaded by high energy laser beam. We present an application of MSC software in modeling thermo-mechanical behavior, both steady state and transient behavior of satellite and missile structures. Thermal energies used for simulation correspond to high energy laser flux available at low earth orbits as reported in literature. A brief review of the concepts involved is outlined. The analysis is performed under several scenarios that include thermal failures due to steady state as well as transient thermal exposures. The thermal exposure times and locations are varied to assess typical failure modes of the structure. Analysis is done in order to define suitable material thicknesses that will make a satellite or a ballistic missile hardened enough to withstand these specific amounts of energy. Other parameters of interest pertaining to this study are the pulse width, and resulting transient phenomena affecting the behavior. Temperature gradients as well as resulting thermal stresses and thermal deformations are reported in this study. / Outstanding Thesis

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / The Free Electron Laser has the potential to become a revolutionary weapon system. Deep magazines, low cost-per-shot, pinpoint accuracy, and speed of light delivery give this developing weapon system significant advantages over conventional systems. One limiting factor in high energy laser implementation is thermal blooming, a lensing effect which is caused by the quick heating of the atmosphere, so that the laser beam does not focus on the desired spot, thereby degrading the effectiveness of the laser on target. The use of multiple beam directors focusing on a target from a single platform may mitigate thermal blooming by allowing half of the laser's energy to travel through a given volume of air, so that they only overlap very near the target. Less energy traveling through a given volume of space means less heating, and therefore lessens the effects of thermal blooming. Also, simulations of FEL's were conducted modifying parameters such as the number of undulator periods, electron beam focus, the normalized Rayleigh length, and mirror output coupling, in order to determine optimum design parameters. New parameters for the next proposed FEL were simulated to examine the effect of mirror tilt on laser power and extraction as well. / Lieutenant, United States Navy