Research on applications of rectangular beam in micro laser propulsion

• Published in: Applied surface science 2014-05, Vol.301, p.481-487
• Main Authors: Jiao, L., Cai, J., Ma, H.H., Li, G.X., Li, L., Shen, Z.W., Tang, Z.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Double base propellant; Exact sciences and technology; Laser bar; Laser propulsion; Micropropulsion; Microthruster; Physics
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.02.107

•Diode laser bar of 808nm is introduced into the micro laser propulsion field.•Double base propellant (DBP) coating with BOPP substrate was obtained.•The combination of laser power and energy decides the propulsion performance.•The new rectangular beam prefers to produce higher impulse. Micro laser propulsion is a new technology with brilliant future. In order to reduce the thruster mass and volume further, laser bar is introduced into the micro laser propulsion field. A new kind of 220×20μm rectangular beam of 808nm was obtained by oval lens compressing the light of diode at fast axes and slow axes. The effect of laser power, energy and coating thickness of double base propellant on propulsion performance was studied. Propulsion performance of double base propellant under static and dynamic mode shows some different characters. Compared to round beam, the new beam prefers to produce higher impulse. Ablation efficiency of DBP shows better performance in short laser duration. The combination of power density and energy density decides the laser propulsion performance. The new rectangular beam is appropriate for millisecond micro-laser propulsion.