Delrin registered for Propulsion with CO{sub 2} Laser: Carbon Doping Effects

Journal Article · Mon Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2931896· OSTI ID:21137109

Sinko, John E; Pakhomov, Andrew V; Millen, Stewart; Zhu, Jane; Sinko, Robert J; Potts, Kenneth ^[1]

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1. University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama (United States)

Polyoxymethylene (POM) a.k.a. Delrin has been commonly used for propulsion with carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) lasers as a solid fuel providing excellent combination of coupling coefficient and specific impulse. In this paper the propulsive characteristics of white and black (carbon-doped) Delrin will be examined and compared. A Transverse Electric discharge in gas at Atmospheric pressure (TEA) CO{sub 2} laser with 300 ns pulse width was operated at up to 20 J pulse energy to produce irradiances on the order of 1-500 MW/cm{sup 2} on Delrin targets. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, time-resolved force sensors, a ballistic pendulum, and Schlieren imaging techniques were used to determine absorption spectra, coupling coefficient, specific impulse, and internal efficiency of Delrin. An analysis will be made of the possible routes for force generation.

• OSTI ID: 21137109
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 997, Issue 1; Conference: 5. international symposium on beamed energy propulsion, Kailua-Kona, HI (United States), 12-15 Nov 2007; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2931896; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABLATION
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
DOPED MATERIALS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
INFRARED SPECTRA
LASER RADIATION
NONLINEAR OPTICS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROPULSION
PULSES
RADIANT FLUX DENSITY
SENSORS
SOLID FUELS
TIME RESOLUTION