Max M. Michaelis

Review: Laser-Ablation Propulsion

LASER ablation propulsion (LAP) is a major new electric propulsion concept with a 35-year history. In LAP, an intense laser beam [pulsed or continuous wave (CW)] strikes a condensedmatter surface (solid or liquid) and produces a jet of vapor or plasma. Just as in a chemical rocket, thrust is produced by the resulting reaction force on the surface. Spacecraft and other objects can be propelled in this way. In some circumstances, there are advantages for this technique compared with other chemical and electric propulsion schemes. It is difficult to make a performance metric for LAP, because only a few of its applications are beyond the research phase and because it can be applied in widely different circumstances that would require entirely different metrics. These applications range from milliwatt-average-power satellite attitude-correction thrusters through kilowatt-average-power systems for reentering near-Earth space debris and megawatt-to-gigawatt systems for direct launch to lowEarth orbit (LEO). We assume an electric laser rather than a gas-dynamic or chemical laser driving the ablation, to emphasize the performance as an electric thruster. How is it possible for moderate laser electrical efficiency to givevery high electrical efficiency? Because laser energy can be used to drive an exothermic reaction in the target material controlled by the laser input, and electrical efficiency only measures the ratio of exhaust power to electrical power. This distinction may seem artificial, but electrical efficiency is a key parameter for space applications, in which electrical power is at a premium. The laser system involved in LAP may be remote from the propelled object (on another spacecraft or planet-based), for example, in laser-induced space-debris reentry or payload launch to low planetary orbit. In other applications (e.g., the laser–plasma microthruster that we will describe), a lightweight laser is part of the propulsion engine onboard the spacecraft.

ORION: Clearing near-Earth space debris using a 20-kW, 530-nm, Earth-based, repetitively pulsed laser

When a large piece of space debris forced a change of flight plan for arecent U.S. Space Shuttle mission, the concept that we are trashing space as well as Earth finally attained broad public awareness. Almost a million pieces of debris have been generated by 35 years of spaceflight, and now threaten long-term space missions. The most economical solution to this problem is to cause space debris items to reenter and burn up in the atmosphere. For safe handling of large objects, it is desired to do this on a precomputed trajectory. Due to the number, speed, and spacial distribution of the objects, a highly agile source of mechanical impulse, as well as a quantum leap in detection capability are required. For reasons we will discuss, we believe that the best means of accomplishing these goals is the system we propose here, which uses a ground-based laser system and active beam phase error correcting beam director to provide the impulse, together with a new, computer-intensive, very high-resolution optical detection system to locate objects as small as 1 cm at 500-km range. Illumination of the objects by the repetitively pulsed laser produces a laser-ablation jet that gives the impulse to de-orbit the object. A laser of just 20-kW average power and state-of-the-art detection capabilities could clear near-Earth space below 100-km altitude of all space debris larger than 1 cm but less massive than 100 kg in about 4 years, and all debris in the threatening 1–20-cm size range in about 2 years of continuous operation. The ORION laser would be sited near the Equator at a high altitude location (e.g., the Uhuru site on Kilimanjaro), minimizing turbulence correction, conversion by stimulated Raman scattering, and absorption of the 530-nm wavelength laser beam. ORION is a special case of Laser Impulse Space Propulsion (LISP), studied extensively by Los Alamos and others over the past 4 years.

LISP: laser impulse space propulsion

It is not often that a new form of transportation suddenly appears and replaces what was hitherto regarded as mankinds only realistic option. In space and upper atmosphere transportation, chemical rockets have held center stage for over half a century. Tsiokolvskys ideas led to Wernher von Brauns V2, which in turn led to the Soyuz, Apollo, and Ariane programs and the Space Shuttle. But recently theoretical and computational studies as well as a few initial experiments have pointed to a new option: laser impulse space propulsion (LISP). This may offer a more efficient and less ecologically damaging means of putting payloads into orbit. The world high-power laser community is well suited to following and aiding developments in LISP, though most practical research is still at an embryonic level. Obviously an effort of the size required to develop a laser-driven low-earth-orbit (LEO) launcher would require a multinational commitment. LISP could then be regarded as a parallel challenge to those of achieving ICF rriicrofusion yield and of improving X-ray lasers, especially in the “water window.” Any physicist or engineer involved with the latter projects would find many points in common with the former. It therefore seems appropriate to briefly review the progress made in LISP and also to communicate some recent results from high-power laser-matter experiments that have lead to conceptual designs.

LIDAR observations of lower stratospheric aerosols over South Africa linked to large scale transport across the southern subtropical barrier

Abstract The study of the variability of stratospheric aerosols and the transfer between the different atmospheric regions improves our understanding of dynamical processes involved in isentropic exchanges that take place episodically in the lower stratosphere through the subtropical barrier. One useful approach consists in combining in situ ground-based and global measurements with numerical analyses. The present paper reports on a case study of a horizontal transfer evidenced first by Rayleigh–Mie LIDAR observations over Durban (29.9°S, 31.0°E, South Africa). Additional data from MeteoSat and SAGE -2 experiments, and from ECMWF meteorological analysis have been used in this study. Contour advection maps of potential vorticity from the MIMOSA model derived from ECMWF fields, were also used. By the end of April, 1999, LIDAR observations showed that aerosol extinction, in the lower stratosphere, has increased significantly and abnormally in comparison with other LIDAR and SAGE -2 observations recorded for the period from April 20 to June 14, 1999. The dynamical context of this case study seems to exclude the possibility of a local influence of the subtropical jet stream or tropical convection, which could inject air masses enriched with tropospheric aerosols into the stratosphere. On the contrary, a high-resolution model based on PV advection calculations and ECMWF meteorological analyses shows that air masses are isentropically advected from the equatorial zone close to Brazil. They cross the southern barrier of the tropical reservoir due to laminae stretching and reach the southern subcontinent of Africa 5–6 days later.

Progress with gas lenses

Three gas lenses appear promising for fusion and other applications. We review progress of the understanding and scaling of two of these lenses and discuss their potential for industry, advanced research, and fusion.

Refractive fringe diagnostic of spherical shocks

Abstract The refractive fringe diagnostic was applied to a spherical shock wave in air generated by an arc discharge. A pulsed ruby laser, synchronized with the shock generation, was used as the probe beam. Both fine and coarse fringes were observed and were modelled computationally. Agreement with the broad features of the density profile predicted by theory was obtained, but the gradient of the theoretical shock rear was found to be too shallow. The shock tail was seento be stationary over a duration of hundreds of microseconds.

Numerical investigation of a three-mirror resonator for a TE CO(2) laser.

A numerical model of a three-mirror resonator for a TE CO(2) laser was developed. This model was used to determine if a three-mirror resonator with an etalon could be used to ensure tunable single-mode action on the lower gain lines of CO(2). Single-mode pulse energies were also predicted and good agreement was found with experimentally measured values. An analysis of the thermal frequency drift of the resonator is also presented.

Hialvac and Teflon outgassing under ultra-high vacuum conditions

A quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to determine the outgassing characteristics of Hialvac glaze and Teflon by analysing the residual gases in an ultra-high vacuum (10−9 Pa range) system. The main gases evolved by a sample of extruded Teflon were H2O, CO and CO2. The outgassing from Hialvac glaze and machined Teflon was below the detectable limit.

Optical aberrations in a spinning pipe gas lens

If a heated pipe is rotated about its axis, a density gradient is formed which results in the pipe acting as a graded index lens. In this study we revisit the concept of a spinning pipe gas lens and for the first time analyse both the wave propagation of optical fields through the lens, and determine the optical aberrations introduced by the lens to the laser beam. We show that such lenses are highly aberrated, thus having a deleterious effect on the laser beam quality.

Optical quality and temperature profile of a spinning pipe gas lens

Abstract A spatially resolved temperature measurement in a spinning pipe gas lens of aperture 2.25 cm and length 1 m, is presented. Ray tracing through the measured refractive index profile was performed. We show that by reducing the optical aperture of the lens (to 1 cm), an angular resolution of twice the diffraction limited is obtainable.