Abstract
Ablative laser propulsion (ALP) is a type of beam-powered propulsion in which thrust is produced by ablating a target using a high-intensity laser beam. In this research work, we calculated the ALP parameters momentum coupling coefficient (Cm) and specific impulse (Isp) by confining the plasma with the help of external semi-elliptical cavities. The cavity minor axis was fixed at 2.5 mm while the major axis varied to 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, 13 mm and 15 mm. Silver and aluminum samples were used as propellants. A pulsed Q-smart Nd:YAG laser operating at 532 nm wavelength was used to ablate the target. A significant increase in the value of Cm and Isp was observed using confined ablative propulsion. The highest Cm and Isp were recorded for the 9 mm major axis cavity, for which Cm was increased from 5.01 × 10−5 N-s/J to1.75 × 10−4 nearly 249% for silver and from 3.4 × 10−5 N-s/J to 8.9 × 10−5 N-s/J nearly 161% for aluminum. Hence the use of semielliptical cavities is an effective technique for enhancing propulsion parameters. Cavity acts as a trap for plasma and shockwaves. Confinement of plasma and reflection of shockwaves from the cavity walls results in enhanced laser ablation propulsion parameters.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call