Classification
CUI, Limited Distribution C
Instructors
Hoang Nguyen, LLNL and Albert Ogloza, Mantech
Duration
Half-day course, runs 1300-1700
Credits awarded
2 CLPs
Course Description
This course is a broad overview of High Power Optics and Optical Thin Film Coatings for Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) and their impact on High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon system performance. The course will cover the critical optical subsystems, the individual optic components and the types of optical thin film coatings that are required. The key technology to any HEL system is the Optical Thin Film Coatings. This course will focus on the Optical Thin Film Coatings, and their impact on the HEL system. The course will also cover issues associated with Optical Thin Film Coating testing, performance validation process and testing protocols. Topics include the following:
- HEL Optical Subsystems
- HEL Optical Components
- HEL Optical CW Coatings
- Background
- Need for low absorption and high gap discussions
- Where coatings performance are we at today
- Where do we want to get to - what are the goals
- CW coating damage theory
- CW coating damage theory
- Role of substrate materials on laser damage threshold
- Current FOD resistant coating designs
- Potential next generation FOD resistant coating designs
- Transition of next generation FOD resistant coatings to industries
- Future S&T roadmap
- Background
- HEL Optics Testing and Qualification
- Overview
- Quality control
Intended Audience
This course is intended for a broad range of High Energy Laser Professionals that are interested in HEL system design, performance optimization, system SWAP, reliability, and survivability. The course assumes that the student has some science/engineering background, however it is not critical. Every level of an HEL Engineering team and HEL optical component producers should benefit from this course as it explores the interplay between HEL system design, fabrication and ultimate performance.
Instructor Biographies
Mr. Hoang Nguyen is a recognized subject matter expert in advanced diffractive optics and high-power optical coatings. His expertise spans fundamental physics and first-principles understanding through optical design, concept development, process engineering, and large-scale fabrication of precision optical components.
Mr. Nguyen serves as Section Leader of the Diffractive Optical Systems Group within the Optics & Materials Science & Technology and Directed Energy Technology Programs at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), part of the Photon Science Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). In this role, he leads the development, qualification, and deployment of advanced diffractive optics and thin-film coatings for some of the world's most demanding high-power laser systems.
Under his leadership, the Diffractive Optical Systems Group designs and fabricates state-of-the-art diffractive and thin-film optical components that are critical to LLNL laser missions and support national security, scientific, and industrial applications worldwide. The group has pioneered grating technologies for high-energy laser (HEL) spectral beam combining, enabling transformative advances in single-aperture laser power scaling. In addition, the team has led major innovations in contamination-tolerant optical coatings for high-power laser systems in support of U.S. Department of Defense initiatives.
Albert Ogloza is a Fellow at ManTech International and a SME to the Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (JDETO). In his current role at the JDETO, he serves as a Chief Scientist due to his broad experience with high energy laser (HEL) systems and optical component development. His optical thin film coating development and testing experience covers over 37 years, supporting developments from the Navy's MIRACL/SLBD HEL system to the current JDETO HEL Scaling Initiative.