X-ray lasers are seen as a possible antimissile device. One of the limitations o
ID: 2093474 • Letter: X
Question
X-ray lasers are seen as a possible antimissile device. One of the limitations of using this device is the spreading of the beam from diffraction. This results in the reduction of the beam intensity. A laser is built to operate at a wavelength of 1.40 nm and the aperture of the emitted beam has a diameter of 0.200 mm. (a) What is the width of the central maxima of the beam at a distance of 2000 km from the source? (b) By what factor is the intensity of the beam reduced? (Note: the beam is fired in space so atmospheric effects can be ignored)
Explanation / Answer
y = m lambda L/d
width = 2 y = 2*1.4E-9*2000E3/0.2E-3=28 m
B) reduced by (0.1E-3)^2/(14)^2=5.1E-11
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.