Laser-Driven Mini-Thrusters
- Department of Physics, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 (United States)
- Propulsion Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-7680 (United States)
Laser-driven mini-thrusters were studied using Delrin registered and PVC (Delrin registered is a registered trademark of DuPont) as propellants. TEA CO2 laser ({lambda} = 10.6 {mu}m) was used as a driving laser. Coupling coefficients were deduced from two independent techniques: force-time curves measured with a piezoelectric sensor and ballistic pendulum. Time-resolved ICCD images of the expanding plasma and combustion products were analyzed in order to determine the main process that generates the thrust. The measurements were also performed in a nitrogen atmosphere in order to test the combustion effects on thrust. A pinhole transmission experiment was performed for the study of the cut-off time when the ablation/air breakdown plasma becomes opaque to the incoming laser pulse.
- OSTI ID:
- 20800242
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 830, Issue 1; Conference: 4. international symposium on beamed energy propulsion, Nara (Japan), 15-18 Nov 2005; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2203267; (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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