Re-entry blackout elimination and communication performance analysis based on laser-plasma-induced X-ray emission

Abstract

X-ray communication (XCOM) offers important advantages to both civilian and military space projects. Rapid advance in high-intensity laser interaction with plasma has become a driving force for providing a new X-ray carrier generation based on the laser wakefield acceleration scheme. XCOM has the potential to eliminate RF shielding on the ground and communicate with the re-entry supersonic spacecraft during blackout occurrence. In this process, the plasma sheath is formed around the surface due to air compression and ablation, which blocks the traditional communication signals. In this paper, the hazardous substance was proactively exploited and coupled with the modulated laser. Particle-In-Cell simulation results indicate the ultra-bright controllable X-ray emission with a small angular divergence (0.04 rad×0.03 rad), a tunable X-ray energy range (4.60 keV to 321.48 keV), and high photon yields. Additionally, the data rate of the communication via the X-ray carrier during re-entry was estimated up to ∼20.7 Mbps by considering the transmission model, encoding schemes and photon information efficiency. Combined with an existing or developing X-ray detection technique, this regime can eliminate re-entry blackout and also provide a novel modulated X-ray source to acquire high-rate, low transmit power, and highly secure space-based data links.

A Pulsar Vector Observation-Based Link Acquisition Method for X-Ray Communications

“…In addition, Tang et al conducted a series of studies regarding XCOM, including the penetrative properties of X-rays [14], X-ray high frequency pulse emission characteristics [15], and collimating/ focusing optical systems [16]. The potential applications of XCOM in the Mars scenario [3,17] and during Earth reentry [18][19][20] were also studied. These studies remarkably promoted the development of XCOM.…”

An improved implementation of volumetric SBR for EM scattering of a large‐scale target coated with plasma

“…1 Inhomogeneous plasma has adverse effects on electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation and scattering, even makes the re-entry target lose contact at the blackout stage. 2 It is very important to study the propagation and scattering of EM wave in plasma, which is of great significance for target recognition, flight control, and navigation. Some research have been conducted to study the interaction between EM wave and plasma, including the numerical methods, 3,4 such as finite difference time domain and volume-surface integral equation (VSIE), and the highfrequency methods, 5,6 such as physical optics, geometric optics, shooting and bouncing rays (SBR).…”

“…In the re‐entry process of hypersonic vehicle, violent friction between vehicle and atmosphere will generate ionized gas, also called the plasma sheath 1 . Inhomogeneous plasma has adverse effects on electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation and scattering, even makes the re‐entry target lose contact at the blackout stage 2 . It is very important to study the propagation and scattering of EM wave in plasma, which is of great significance for target recognition, flight control, and navigation.…”

Propagation Path of Radio Waves in Nonequilibrium Reentry Plasma Around a Nanosatellite With an Inflatable Aeroshell

“…The plasma propagation behavior of terahertz waves has been investigated by Xu et al [9], [10] and Ouyang et al [11], and is expected to be a potential blackout mitigation method. The split ring resonator based mu-negative sheet [12] and laser-plasma-induced X-ray emissions [13] are also proposed. The surface catalysis effects for the mitigation scheme have been investigated by Takasawa [14] and Takahashi [15], which revealed the detailed mechanism using experimental and analytical methods.…”