Simulation of the reflection of a high energy laser beam at the sea surface for laser safety assessments

Frédéric Schwenger; Adrian Azarian; Stefan Kessler; Michael Henrichsen

doi:10.1117/12.3031515

1 November 2024 Simulation of the reflection of a high energy laser beam at the sea surface for laser safety assessments

Frédéric Schwenger, Adrian Azarian, Stefan Kessler, Michael Henrichsen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13201, High-Power Lasers and Technologies for Optical Countermeasures II; 132010B (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3031515
Event: Security + Defence, 2024, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

When using a high energy laser beam in a maritime environment, a laser safety concept is required to protect personnel or uninvolved third parties from uncontrolled reflections of the laser light from the sea surface. Therefore, the knowledge of the amount and direction of reflected laser energy is crucial. These vary statistically and depend largely on the dynamics of the wavy sea surface that are mainly influenced by wind speed, wind direction, and fetch. A numerical model is used to calculate the time-dependent spatial intensity distribution of the laser beam reflected from the dynamic sea surface. The specular reflection of laser light is modeled by an analytical statistical Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) of the sea surface. The model also identifies the hazard distances where the laser intensities exceed a defined exposure limit. Thereby, the forward reflected radiation is of great interest for estimating the risk to third parties and the backward reflected radiation to the laser source for assessing the risk to own forces. The calculated time-dependent intensities are presented for observer positions on a quarter-circular arc of the specular plane of incidence with fixed radii from the center of the laser spot for the two reflection hemispheres. In addition, the determined probabilities of exceeding a defined exposure limit are shown.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Frédéric Schwenger, Adrian Azarian, Stefan Kessler, and Michael Henrichsen "Simulation of the reflection of a high energy laser beam at the sea surface for laser safety assessments", Proc. SPIE 13201, High-Power Lasers and Technologies for Optical Countermeasures II, 132010B (1 November 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3031515

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