US 12,278,455 B2
Apparatus and method for reducing thermal blooming in an optical subsystem of a high energy laser
Till W. Liepmann, La Canada, CA (US)
Assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on Apr. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/237,600.
Prior Publication US 2022/0344889 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. H01S 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC H01S 3/005 (2013.01) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for reducing thermal blooming in an optical subsystem of a high energy laser (HEL), comprising:
a fluid pump that receives a first fluid containing diatomic oxygen at a first concentration; and
a combustion chamber that combusts the first fluid to develop a second fluid containing diatomic oxygen at a second concentration, wherein the second concentration is less than the first concentration, and wherein the second fluid is supplied to the optical subsystem of the HEL.