Ablative Laser Propulsion: A Study of Specific Impulse, Thrust and Efficiency

Pakhomov, Andrew V.; Thompson, Michael; Gregory, Don A.

doi:10.1063/1.1582108

Cited by 23 publications

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“…3 This technique accounted for both ion and neutral components, which led to an approximately 40% drop in the I sp values deduced from the TOF. 3,4 Although the results obtained from force measurements fit our expectations well, the experimental technique had its own drawbacks. First, the force sensor could work only in air.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…Therefore, in this case has no meaning and can be substituted by unity in Equation (4). Specific impulses are deduced from plasma expansion velocity (v 0 ) using Equation (4). The data obtained from PI measurements appeared in excellent agreement with force measurements, as one can see from Figure 8.…”

Section: Specific Impulsementioning

confidence: 56%

“…With a few notable exceptions (Cu and Pb), the studied elements demonstrate a velocity vs. atomic mass trend similar to our previous reports. [2][3][4] As one may notice from Figure 4, the lines are taken at different time intervals. Excepting Zn, Sn and Pb, the upper limits of these intervals are due to the fact that the plasma emission intensity becomes too weak to provide an accurate measure of the plasma plume front.…”

Section: Plasma Expansion Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ablative laser propulsion: determination of specific impulse from plasma imaging

Lin

Thompson

Pakhomov

2004

High-Power Laser Ablation V

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This work summarizes the combination of experimental and digital image processing technique developed for determination of plasma expansion velocity angular profiles. Such profiles were used further for assessment of specific impulses for ablative laser propulsion. The technique uses time-resolved intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera with 18 ns minimum time delay, 100 µm spatial resolution, and 5 ns gating speed. The plasma was formed in vacuum (~ 3 10 -3 Torr) by focusing output pulses of a laser system (100-ps pulsewidth at 532 nm wavelength and ~35 mJ energy) on surfaces of C (graphite), Al, Si, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb targets. Plasma expansion velocity profiles were derived from plume edge contours. Specific impulse (I sp ) was then deduced from the profiles. New I sp data appeared in excellent agreement with specific impulses derived from force measurements, conducted earlier. Observed angular profiles of plasma edge velocity and integral intensity are reported and discussed.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Section: Specific Impulsementioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Plasma Expansion Velocitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ablative laser propulsion: determination of specific impulse from plasma imaging

Lin

Thompson

Pakhomov

2004

High-Power Laser Ablation V

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“…We chose solid aluminum as the target in the experiments in view of its extensive use in the past, 16 as well as in more resent laser propulsion studies. 12 In addition to coupling coefficients, we measured mass removal rates, which helped us to set a baseline for reckoning the "ablative" component in observed processes. By evaluating coupling coefficients and mass removal rates as functions of air pressure, we attempted to deduce the partition of propulsive energy between air and solid propellants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of air pressure on propulsion with TEA CO 2 laser

Pakhomov

Lin

Herren

2004

High-Power Laser Ablation V

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The assessment of energy partition between air and solid propellant has been conducted using a TEA CO 2 laser. The experiments were performed by focusing output pulses of the laser (200 ns pulsewidth at 10.6 µm wavelength and ~10.6 J pulse energy) on aluminum targets mounted on a ballistic pendulum. Coupling coefficients and mass removal rates were determined as functions of air pressure, which varied from 1 atm to 3.5 mTorr. The data from both coupling coefficients and mass removal rates show that there is a sharp transition region ranging between 1.0 and 10 Torr. In this region the momentum imparted to the target via air breakdown appears comparable and, at higher pressures, dominating the momentum due to the breakdown on the target surface.

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“…Such measurements can be achieved with an impulse balance with a highly accurate calibration method, such as the one described here. From a propulsion perspective, a common measure of propulsive efficiency is the specific impulse [3] , I sp , given by where F(t) is the time dependent force produced by the thruster, t' is the thruster's pulse duration, and M p is the total mass of the propellant lost in the pulse, and g o is the Earth's gravitational constant. From Eq.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Impulse Measurements of Ablation Processes from Laser-Surface Interactions

D’Souza¹,

Ketsdever²

2005

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A torsional impulse balance has been developed as a new diagnostic tool to study fundamental processes in laser-surface interactions. Of particular interest are the forces due to processes of laser ablation. With respect to the transfer of momentum, direct measurements of the transient forces can lead to a better understanding and characterization of the efficiency of the impulse that is possible under different configurations. The impulse balance has been designed and tested with a robust calibration system to measure impulsive forces with resolution as low as several nano-Newton-seconds. Initial results of impulses due to ablation from an Nd:YAG laser (532nm) on various metals and other materials are presented.

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Ablative Laser Propulsion: A Study of Specific Impulse, Thrust and Efficiency

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Ablative laser propulsion: determination of specific impulse from plasma imaging

Ablative laser propulsion: determination of specific impulse from plasma imaging

Effect of air pressure on propulsion with TEA CO 2 laser

Direct Impulse Measurements of Ablation Processes from Laser-Surface Interactions

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