Thrust Generation with Low-Power Continuous-Wave Laser and Aluminum Foil Interaction

Journal Article · Thu May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3435433· OSTI ID:21367292

Horisawa, Hideyuki; Sumida, Sota ^[1]; Funaki, Ikkoh ^[2]

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1. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tokai University, 1117 Kitakaname, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292 Japan (Japan)
2. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan (Japan)

The micro-newton thrust generation was observed through low-power continuous-wave laser and aluminum foil interaction without any remarkable ablation of the target surface. To evaluate the thrust characteristics, a torsion-balance thrust stand capable for the measurement of the thrust level down to micro-Newton ranges was developed. In the case of an aluminum foil target with 12.5 micrometer thickness, the maximum thrust level was 15 micro-newtons when the laser power was 20 W, or about 0.75 N/MW. It was also found that the laser intensity, or laser power per unit area, irradiated on the target was significantly important on the control of the thrust even under the low-intensity level.

• OSTI ID: 21367292
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1230, Issue 1; Conference: 6. international symposium on beamed energy propulsion, Scottsdale, AZ (United States), 1-5 Nov 2009; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3435433; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ABLATION
ALUMINIUM
BALANCES
FOILS
IRRADIATION
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
OSCILLATORS
PROPULSION
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
SURFACES
THRUSTERS
TORSION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
RADIATIONS
WEIGHT INDICATORS