FALCON nuclear-reactor-pumped laser program and wireless power transmission
FALCON is a high-power, reactor-pumped laser concept. The major strengths of a reactor-pumped laser are (1) simple, modular construction, (2) long-duration, closed-cycle capability, (3) self-contained power, (4) compact size, and (5) a variety of wavelengths (from visible to infrared). Reactor-pumped lasing has been demonstrated experimentally in various mixtures of xenon, argon, neon, and helium at wavelengths of 585, 703, 725, 1271, 1733, 1792, 2032, 2630, 2650, and 3370 nm with intrinsic efficiency as high as 2.5%. Powers up to 300 W for 2 ms have been demonstrated. Projected beam quality for FALCON is good enough that frequency doubling at reasonable efficiencies could be expected to yield wavelengths at 353, 363, 636, 867, 896, 1016, 1315, 1325, and 1685 nm. Appropriate missions for FALCON are described and include power beaming to satellites, the moon, and unmanned surveillance planes; lunar mapping; space debris removal; and laser propulsion.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 10133617
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--92-1973C; CONF-930258--1; ON: DE93007607
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
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EFFICIENCY
ENERGY TRANSFER
EXCITATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FISSION FRAGMENTS
GAS LASERS
LASER POWER TRANSMISSION
LASERS AND MASERS
MAPPING
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
MOON
OPTICAL PUMPING
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
RARE GASES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS