This book gives an in-depth analysis of the physical phenomena of thrust production by laser radiation, as well as laser propulsion engines, and laser-propelled vehicles. It brings together into a unified context accumulated up-to-date information on laser propulsion research, considering propulsion phenomena, laser propulsion techniques, design of vehicles with laser propulsion engines, and high-power laser systems to provide movement for space vehicles. In particular, the reader will find detailed coverage of: designs of laser propulsion engines, operating as both air-breathing and ramjet engines to launch vehicles into LEOs; Assembly of vehicles whereby laser power from a remote laser is collected and directed into a propulsion engine; and, the laser-adaptive systems that control a laser beam to propel vehicles into orbits by delivering laser power through the Earth's atmosphere. This book is essential reading for researchers and professionals involved in laser propulsion.
Erscheinungsdatum: 26.08.2021

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lgrsnf/562.pdf

scihub/10.1007/978-3-030-79693-8.pdf

zlib/Engineering/Energy & Power Resources/Yuri A. Rezunkov/High Power Laser Propulsion_29284579.pdf

Rezunkov, Yuri A.

Springer International Publishing AG

Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Springer series on atomic, optical, and plasma physics, v. 116, Cham, 2021

Springer series on atomic, optical, and plasma physics, S.l, 2021

Springer Nature, Cham, 2021

Switzerland, Switzerland

2, 20210825

producers:
Adobe PDF Library 10.0.1

Preface 6
Acknowledgments 9
Contents 10
About the Author 14
Abbreviations 15
Chapter 1: A Brief History of Laser Propulsion 17
1.1 Introduction 18
1.2 Main Stages of Laser-Propulsion Developments 19
1.3 Physical Processes Underlying Laser Propulsion 31
1.3.1 General Classification of the Laser-Propulsion Phenomena 31
1.3.2 Basic Thrust Characteristics of Laser-Propulsion Engines 34
1.4 General Concepts of Laser Propulsion 39
1.4.1 Launching Space Vehicles into Low Earth Orbits with Laser Propulsion 40
1.4.2 Laser Propulsion for the Correction of LEO Satellites 41
1.4.3 Interorbital Missions of Space Vehicles with the Laser Propulsion 46
1.5 Original Concepts of High-Power Laser Propulsion 50
1.5.1 The ``4P ́ ́ Vehicles 50
1.5.2 Lightcraft Technology Demonstrator (LTD) 51
1.5.3 Laser Impulse Space Propulsion-LISP 52
1.5.4 Principal Concept Design of the High-power Laser-Propulsion Systems 54
References 56
Chapter 2: Basic Gas-Dynamic Theories of the Laser Air-Breathing and Rocket Propulsion 59
2.1 Introduction 59
2.2 Gas-dynamic Theory of Laser Propulsion 62
2.2.1 Specific Properties of Pulsejet Laser Propulsion 62
2.2.2 Rocket Laser Propulsion at Space Conditions 70
2.2.2.1 Choice of a Propellant for Space Laser Propulsion 71
2.2.2.2 Determination of the Jet Nozzle Designs 71
2.3 Physics of Laser Plasma Ignited in Gases as Applied to Laser Propulsion 78
2.3.1 Model of Multi-Ionized Plasma Ignited by Laser Pulses in Gases 79
2.3.2 Conversion Efficiency of Laser Power into Plasma Temperature 88
2.4 Numerical Calculations of Non-stationary and Non-isentropic Gas Flows as Applied to Laser Propulsion 94
2.4.1 Perfect Gas Flow Models and Numerical Algorithms to Calculate Gas Flow of Pulsejet Laser Propulsion 95
2.4.2 Model of Equilibrium (Thermal) Plasma 98
2.4.3 Model of Non-equilibrium Plasma as Applied to Pulsejet Laser Propulsion 101
2.4.4 Discussion on the Applicability of Various Models of Plasma Ignited 103
References 105
Chapter 3: Laser Ablation of Solid Materials, Laser Ablation Propulsion 108
3.1 Introduction 108
3.2 Physical Phenomena Underlying of Laser Ablation Propulsion 110
3.2.1 Basic Concept of Developed Evaporation of High-Melting and Low-Melting Materials 110
3.2.2 Simplified Gas-Dynamics Model of Laser ablation Propulsion 112
3.2.3 ``Absorption Explosion ́ ́ Model of Plasma Ignition at Laser Ablation of Solid Targets 114
3.2.4 Gas-Dynamic Models of the Laser Radiation Interaction with Ionized Gas (Gaseous Plasma) 117
3.3 Effects of Solid Target Structure on Laser Ablation Propulsion 120
3.3.1 Direct Laser Ablation Propulsion 120
3.3.2 Combined Laser Ablation Propulsion 122
3.3.3 Confined Laser Ablation of Multilayer Structured Targets 123
3.4 Laser Ablation Propulsion Based on Ablation of High-Energy Polymers 126
3.4.1 Basic Plasma-chemical Reactions Proceeding in the CHO-Polymer Vapor Under Laser Radiation 127
3.4.2 Similarity Laws of Laser Ablation Propulsion Based on Polymer Propellants 134
3.5 Semi-empirical Models of Laser ablation Propulsion Based on CHO-Polymers 136
3.5.1 Gas-Dynamics of the Laser Ablation Propulsion 136
3.5.2 Vapor and Plasma Models of the Laser ablation Propulsion Using Critical Laser Power Flux 140
3.6 Efficiency of the Laser Ablation Propulsion Based on CHO-Polymers 142
References 145
Chapter 4: Aerospace Laser-Propulsion Engine 148
4.1 Introduction 148
4.2 The Aerospace Laser-Propulsion Engine Conception 150
4.2.1 Designing of Two-Mirror Beam Concentrator 151
4.2.2 Optical Model of the Two-Mirror Beam Concentrator 155
4.2.3 Numerical Techniques to Develop the Two-Mirror Beam Concentrator 158
4.3 ASLPE Thrust Characteristics in a Pulsed Mode of Operation 164
4.4 Adaptation of ASLPE for Continuous Wave (CW) Laser Propulsion 171
4.4.1 Principles of CW Laser Propulsion 171
4.4.2 CW ASLPE Thrust Characteristics 173
4.5 Analysis of Available Technologies as Applied to ASLPE Development and its Engineering Constraints 177
4.5.1 Effects of Slit on Thrust Production 177
4.5.2 Thermo-physical Model of the ASLPE Device 179
4.6 Preliminary Conclusion 184
References 184
Chapter 5: Supersonic Laser Propulsion 186
5.1 Introduction 186
5.2 Lightcraft Engineering Version Adapted to the Pulsejet Supersonic Laser Propulsion 188
5.2.1 Perspective Designs of the Lightcraft 196
5.2.2 Intermediate Conclusion 198
5.3 Physical Phenomena Going with Ramjet Supersonic Laser Propulsion 198
5.3.1 Gas-Dynamics Effects Induced by Lasers in a Supersonic Gas Flow 198
5.4 Merging of Individual Shock Waves into a Quasi-Stationary Integrated Shock Wave 203
5.5 Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion 205
5.5.1 The Effects of Gas Jet Injection into Supersonic Gas Flows 205
5.5.2 Theoretical Model of Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion 207
5.5.3 Thrust Characteristics of Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion 209
5.5.4 Peculiar Properties of Thrust Production at the Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion 214
5.6 Conclusion 219
References 219
Chapter 6: Space Mini-vehicles with Laser Propulsion 222
6.1 Introduction to the Problem 222
6.2 Scenario of the SMV Orbital Maneuvers 226
6.3 Space Debris Removal Out of Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) by Using Laser-Propelled Space Mini-vehicles 237
6.4 Onboard Laser-Propulsion System as Applied to SMV 244
6.4.1 Receiver Telescope 245
6.4.2 Optical Turret 246
6.4.3 Optical Switch 248
6.4.4 The Unit of Laser-Propulsion Engines 249
6.4.5 Requirements to Optical Elements of the Onboard Laser-Propulsion System 250
6.5 Brief Outcome 252
References 253
Chapter 7: Laser Power Transfer to Space Vehicles with Laser Propulsion 255
7.1 Introduction into the Problem 256
7.2 Models of the Aerosols and Gases Attenuation, Absorption, and Scattering of Laser Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere 257
7.2.1 Models of the Atmospheric Aerosols and Gases 257
7.2.2 Nonlinear Effects Developed During Propagation of High-Power Laser Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere 261
7.3 Self-Empirical Models of the Upper Atmosphere Turbulence 265
7.4 Phase and Intensity Profiles of the Laser Beam That Passed Through a Turbulent Atmosphere 272
7.4.1 Tentative Conclusion 274
7.5 Basic Atmospheric Effects Limiting Delivery of the Airborne Laser Power to Space Vehicle 274
7.5.1 Scenario of Laser Power Delivery to a Space Vehicle 274
7.5.2 Turbulence Effects on a Laser Beam as Applied to High-Power Laser Propulsion 278
7.6 Adaptive Laser Systems for the High-Power Laser Propulsion 282
7.6.1 Statement of the Problem 282
7.6.2 Adaptive Optical Laser Circuits and Special Equipment 284
7.6.2.1 Beam Wave Front Analyzers (BWA) 285
7.6.2.2 Beam Wave Front Phase Correctors 286
7.6.3 Laser Adaptive Optical Systems as Applied to Beaming a Remote Target 287
7.6.3.1 Linear Adaptive Laser Systems 287
7.6.3.2 Nonlinear Adaptive System Based on the Interaction of Laser Radiations with a Nonlinear Optical Medium 291
7.6.4 Principal Outcomes 294
References 294
Conclusion 297
Index 300

2021-10-10