Laser sustained discharge nozzle apparatus for the production of an intense beam of high kinetic energy atomic species

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:866754

Cross, Jon B ^[1]; Cremers, David A ^[2]

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1. Santa Fe, NM
2. Los Alamos, NM

Laser sustained discharge apparatus for the production of intense beams of high kinetic energy atomic species. A portion of the plasma resulting from a laser sustained continuous optical discharge which generates energetic atomic species from a gaseous source thereof is expanded through a nozzle into a region of low pressure. The expanded plasma contains a significant concentration of the high kinetic energy atomic species which may be used to investigate the interaction of surfaces therewith. In particular, O-atoms having velocities in excess of 3.5 km/s can be generated for the purpose of studying their interaction with materials in order to develop protective materials for spacecraft which are exposed to such energetic O-atoms during operation in low earth orbit.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4780608
• OSTI ID: 866754
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

laser
sustained
discharge
nozzle
apparatus
production
intense
beam
kinetic
energy
atomic
species
beams
portion
plasma
resulting
continuous
optical
generates
energetic
gaseous
source
expanded
region
pressure
contains
significant
concentration
investigate
interaction
surfaces
therewith
particular
o-atoms
velocities
excess
km
generated
purpose
studying
materials
protective
spacecraft
exposed
operation
earth
orbit
discharge apparatus
atomic species
kinetic energy
laser sustained
nozzle apparatus
intense beam
gaseous source
protective material
energy atomic
sustained discharge
significant concentration
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