Design and characterization of nozzles and solid propellants for IR laser propulsion

In this article, we present an experimental study of the effect of conical section nozzles coupled to solid targets on laser ablation propulsion. The impulse produced on the target by laser ablation was measured in terms of the coupling coefficient C _m using a piezoelectric (PZT) sensor. The standard deviation of the PZT signal was used as an estimator of the transferred impulse. The ablation was performed with a TEA CO₂ laser at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The targets were pellets of 90/10 % w/w Zn/CaCO₃ concentration ratio. Aluminum nozzles with conical section were coupled to these propellant pellets. A comparative study of the variation of C _m using nozzles of different inlet and outlet diameters of the ejected material as well as of different heights was made. The results demonstrate that for the pellet composition analyzed, as the nozzle’s height increases and its diameter decreases improvements up to 250 % respect to the target without nozzle are obtained. These are promising results for the potential development of laser ablation microthrusters.     

Laser impulse coupling at 130 fs

We measured the momentum coupling coefficient C_m and laser-generated ion drift velocity and temperature in the femtosecond (fs) region, over a laser intensity range from ablation threshold to about one hundred times threshold. Targets were several pure metals and three organic compounds. The organic compounds were exothermic polymers specifically developed for the micro-laser plasma thruster, and two of these used “tuned absorbers” rather than carbon particles for laser absorption. The metals ranged from Li to W in atomic weight. We measured time of flight (TOF) profiles for ions. Specific impulse reached record values for this type of measurement and ablation efficiency was near 100%. These measurements extend the laser pulsewidth three orders of magnitude downward in pulsewidth relative to previous reports. Over this range, we found C_m to be essentially constant. Ion velocity ranged from 60 to 180 km/s.     

Numerical simulation of air-breathing nanosecond laser propulsion considering subsonic inflow and multi-pulse

The model of paraboloid point focusing laser thruster is adopted to investigate numerically the air-breathing nanosecond laser propulsion under subsonic inflow and multi-pulse condition. The influence of pulse number and subsonic inflow on propulsive performance is analyzed. The simulation results indicate that the average impulse coupling coefficient C_mn decreases significantly with the increasing of pulse number because the air in the nozzle cannot recover to the initial state, but the trend becomes smooth due to the similar flow field before subsequent pulse. When the Mach number increases, the multi-pulse C_mn falls down at the same number of laser pulse. It shows that the faster subsonic inflow, the higher air drag and the shorter time of interaction between the shock wave and the thruster.     

Low-temperature property investigation of the lead indium-niobate-lead nickel-niobate solid solution

The complex perovskite solid solution (1−x) Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃-(x) Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ has been successfully prepared by the Columbite precursor method. The temperature dependencies of the dielectric constant and pyroelectric coefficient were measured between −261 and 200 °C. Relaxor ferroelectric behavior has been noticed in all compositions across the solid solution. The room-temperature electrostrictive coefficient, Q₃₃, was 1.83×10⁻² C²/m⁴ for x=0.10. No room-temperature piezoelectric activity was detected; however, upon cooling to −261 °C the maximum coupling coefficients k_p=29%, k_t=11%, and k₃₃=31% were observed for the composition x=1.00.     

Efficient coupling and relaxed alignment tolerances in pigtailing of a laser diode using dual ball lenses

In this paper, we report an efficient coupling scheme with relaxed misalignment tolerances. The proposed coupling scheme consists of two ball lenses of same diameter (1 mm) and different refractive indices. The second ball lens which is facing the fiber tip has a higher refractive index (1.833), whereas the first one which faces the laser diode has a refractive index of 1.5. Employing Gaussian and ABCD ray tracing optics, the theoretically obtained coupling efficiency can reach a unity with relaxed working distance (separation of the coupling system from the fiber tip) in the range between 1 and 4 mm at some optimum positions of the coupling lenses with regard to each other and to the facet of the laser diode. It has been found that if the distance between the first ball lens and the laser diode (d₁) is fixed at 1.1 mm, which is twice its focal length, the coupling efficiency and the working distance as well as the misalignment tolerances are greatly affected by variation of the separation between the two ball lenses (s), and for this proposed coupling scheme the highest coupling efficiency and largest working distance are obtained when s is in the range of 0.3-0.35 mm. Above and below this range there is a significant reduction in the values of the above-mentioned parameters. Experimentally, the Nd:YAG laser welding system has been used for the alignment and welding of the coupling components in a butterfly configuration; the experimentally obtained coupling efficiency of the proposed coupling system was around 75% with relaxed working distance. From the effect of lateral and angular offsets on coupling efficiency, it is clearly noticed that the mode field of laser diode is transformed from elliptical into circular and hence effectively matched with that of the single-mode fiber.     

Numerical approach to laser beam propagation through turbulent atmosphere and evaluation of beam quality factor

In this paper, propagation of a Gaussian laser beam through turbulent atmosphere is evaluated numerically. The beam quality factor for the propagated beam has been estimated for different turbulent conditions that are characterized by parameter C_n. The calculations show that the beam quality can be affected dramatically by atmospheric turbulence and the laser beam size and wavelength have major role in the results. Furthermore, the propagation of laser beam in longer distance results in more spatial perturbation of the beam. The results of these calculations and evaluation of beam quality factor M² can be used for estimating the refractive index structure parameter (or atmosphere turbulent parameter) C_n.     

Laser-radiofrequency double-resonance spectroscopy of methyl chloride: Hyperfine structure of the ground and ν6 states

Pure quadrupole resonances of methyl chloride have been observed using the highly sensitive method of infrared-radiofrequency double resonance inside a laser cavity. Quadrupole resonances have been observed for the ground and ν₆ states for both the CH₃Cl³⁵ and CH₃Cl³⁷ isotopes using the direct double-resonance as well as collisionally induced satellites. Most of the six hyperfine constants: the quadrupole coupling constant, eqQ; its rotational dependence, χ_J and χ_K; Hougen's coefficient, χ_D; and the spin-rotation constants, C_N and C_K, have been determined for the two states for both isotopes.     

Carbon-plasma produced in vacuum by 532 nm-3 ns laser pulses ablation

A study of VIS laser ablation of graphite, in vacuum, by using 3 ns Nd:YAG laser radiation is reported. Nanosecond pulsed ablation gives an emission mass spectrum attributable to C_n neutral and charged particles. Mass quadrupole spectroscopy, associated to electrostatic ion deflection, allows estimation of the velocity distributions of several of these emitting species within the plume as a function of the incident laser fluence. Time gated plume imaging and microscopy measurements have been used to study the plasma composition and the deposition of thin carbon films. The multi-component structure of the plume emission is rationalized in terms of charge state, ions temperature and neutrals temperature. A special regard is given to the ion acceleration process occurring inside the plasma due to the high electrical field generated in the non-equilibrium plasma conditions. The use of nanosecond laser pulses, at fluences below 10 J/cm², produces interesting C-atomic emission effects, as a high ablation yield, a high fractional ionization of the plasma and presence of nanostructures deposited on near substrates.     

A multichannel Raman spectrometry study of polyacetylene isomerization induced by laser irradiation

The multichannel Raman spectrometry has been used in the study of the isomerization reaction of an 80% cis PA film into a trans PA, using a laser beam for a double purpose. It is employed simultaneously as an activation agent inducing the isomerization reaction and the Raman diffusion. In each experience, the power of the laser beam Pⁱ(λ) was equivalent to the temperature. Twelve spectra have been recorded at different time periods tj = j·dt. The integrations of the Raman intensities related to two selected bands were numerically calculated.We also proposed an original method for the determination of the isomeric composition. A quantitative relationship between the equilibrium temperature and the laser beam power (in the range of laser power: 30 < Pⁱ(λ) < 300 mW) has been found. An estimate number of isomerized molecules N₀ and then a correction factors f_cis and f_trans were also obtained.     

The sign of the electric field gradient at the nuclear site of Zn in Zn metal

By use of low temperature nuclear quadrupole orientation the quadrupole coupling constant of^69mZn in a Zn single crystal has been determined asv _Q=eQV _zz/h=–28(3) MHz.A positive sign forV _zzat the nuclear site of Zn in Zn is deduced. The half-life of^69mZn has been remeasured asT _1/2=13.756 (18)h.     

Microstructure and wear behaviors of laser clad NiCr/Cr3C2-WS2 high temperature self-lubricating wear-resistant composite coating

The high temperature self-lubricating wear-resistant NiCr/Cr₃C₂-30%WS₂ coating and wear-resistant NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating were fabricated on 0Cr18Ni9 austenitic stainless steel by laser cladding. Phase constitutions and microstructures were investigated, and the tribological properties were evaluated using a ball-on-disc wear tester under dry sliding condition at room-temperature (17 °C), 300 °C and 600 °C, respectively. Results indicated that the laser clad NiCr/Cr₃C₂ coating consisted of Cr₇C₃ primary phase and γ-(Fe,Ni)/Cr₇C₃ eutectic colony, while the coating added with WS₂ was mainly composed of Cr₇C₃ and (Cr,W)C carbides, with the lubricating WS₂ and CrS sulfides as the minor phases. The wear tests showed that the friction coefficients of two coatings both decrease with the increasing temperature, while the both wear rates increase. The friction coefficient of laser clad NiCr/Cr₃C₂-30%WS₂ is lower than the coating without WS₂ whatever at room-temperature, 300 °C, 600 °C, but its wear rate is only lower at 300 °C. It is considered that the laser clad NiCr/Cr₃C₂-30%WS₂ composite coating has good combination of anti-wear and friction-reducing capabilities at room-temperature up to 300 °C.     

Konversionskoeffizient von69m Zn und Fluoreszenzausbeute von Zink

The decay of^69m Zn and⁶⁹Zn has been investigated using a radioactive source obtained by irradiating a sample of 99%⁶⁸ZnO with neutrons. Theβ-spectrum of⁶⁹Zn and the conversion electrons of the^69m Zn decay have been studied with an anthracene scintillation spectrometer of the split crystal type. The measured value of the conversion coefficient of^69m Zn is α=0.054±0.003. With this result and those obtained by measurement of theγ-ray spectra of^69m Zn with NaI(Tl) scintillation crystals, theK-fluorescent yield of Zn has been determined to be ω_K=0.45±0.04.     

Axial distribution of coupling coefficient of distributed feedback laser diode

An axial distributed coupling coefficient (ADCC) distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode (LD), in which the coupling coefficient (K_c) has been distributed axially on both sides of the phase shift region (PSR), is proposed to increase the efficiency of QW-DFB LD. The results are compared with that obtained from QW DCC–DFB LD. The present work proposes a new criteria for coupling distribution to decrease the spatial hole-burning (SHB) effect on the single mode (SM) operation.     

Ab initio study of electronic and magnetic properties of the Fe3Zn intermetallic

First-principles calculations have been carried out to study the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the Fe₃Zn compound with the full-potential linearized augmented-plane wave (FLAPW) method. The results indicate a lower magnetostriction for Fe₃Zn as compared to Galfenol (Fe-Ga), as a result of a weaker spin-orbit coupling, which is due to a smaller magnetic moment induced on the Zn atom. With the Zn addition to Fe the bulk modulus and the cohesive energy (per atom) decrease, whereas the electronic specific heat coefficient γ has a substantial increase.     

Spectral behavior and laser activity of 3-(4′-dimethylaminophenyl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl) prop-2-en-1-one (DMAPrP). A new laser dye

The photophysical properties of DMAPrP have been investigated in different solvents. DMAPrP dye exhibits a large change in dipole-moment upon excitation due to an intramolecular charge transfer interaction. A crystalline solid of DMAPrP give an excimer like emission at 546 nm. The ground and excited state protonation constants of DMAPrP are calculated. DMAPrP acts as good laser dye upon pumping with nitrogen laser in some organic solvents. The laser parameters such as the tuning range, gain coefficient (α), emission cross section (σ_e) and half-life energy (E_1/2) are also calculated. The photoreactivity and net photochemical quantum yield of DMAPrP in chloromethane solvents are also studied.     

Combinatorial discovery of anomalous substrate effect on the photochemical properties of transition metal-doped epitaxial SrTiO3 heterostructures

Epitaxial Sr(V_xCr_yTi_1−x−y)O₃ (0≤x+y≤0.05) ternary composition spreads were grown on two different single crystal substrates, LaAlO₃ and Nb-doped SrTiO₃, by use of combinatorial laser molecular beam epitaxy with a specially patterned slide masking plate. The photocatalytic activity on the composition spreads was evaluated by the photo-reduction of Ag⁺ in an AgNO₃ aqueous solution to deposit Ag metal on the spreads. The V-doping effect was found to depend greatly on the substrate: the photodeposition of Ag was much enhanced in the composition region of SrV_0.05Ti_0.95O₃ only on the Nb-doped SrTiO₃, but not on the LaAlO₃ and non-doped SrTiO₃.     

Determination des angles d'obliquite d'un cristal liquide en phase nematique au voisinage d'une surface

Using several laser sources the dispersion of the quadrupole nonlinear tensor d⁽²⁾(CaCO₃) has been determined in the ultraviolet and visible range 265 – 592 nm. The measured dependence is in a good agreement with the predicted dispersion d⁽²⁾(CaCO₃) ~ λ^-1.     

Effect of excimer laser annealing on the properties of ZnO thin film prepared by sol-gel method

Pristine ZnO thin films have been deposited with zinc acetate [Zn(CH₃COO)₂], mono-ethanolamine (stabilizer), and isopropanol solutions by sol-gel method. After deposition, pristine ZnO thin films have been irradiated by excimer laser (λ = 248, KrF) source with energy density of 50 mJ/cm² for 30 sec. The effect of excimer laser annealing on the optical and structural properties of ZnO thin films are investigated by photoluminescence and field emission scanning electron microscope. As-grown ZnO thin films show a huge peak of visible region and a wide full width at half maximum (FWHM) of UV region due to low quality with amorphous ZnO thin films. After KrF excimer laser annealing, ZnO thin films show intense near-band-edge (NBE) emission and weak deep-level emission. The optically improved pristine ZnO thin films have demonstrated that excimer laser annealing is novel treatment process at room temperature.     

Investigation on electromechanical properties of A-site donor rare-earth modified tetragonal (4 mm) lead barium niobate (PBN55) ceramics

In this paper, Pb_0.55?(3y/2)Ce_yBa_0.45Nb₂O₆ ceramics with tetragonal tungsten–bronze structure prepared through the solid-state reaction method and characterized for phase formation, density, dielectric and piezoelectric properties are reported. The XRD analysis showed the presence of a tetragonal tungsten–bronze structure, which intensified with increasing Ce content. The stability of the tetragonal tungsten–bronze phase has been discussed with the electronegativity difference and the tolerance factor. The Curie temperature (T_c) systematically lowered when Ce was incorporated into tetragonal PBN lattice. The room-temperature dielectric constant (ε_RT) of Ce-modified lead barium niobate (PBN) compositions has enhanced from C₀ to C₃ and thereafter decreased. The influence of Ce on piezoelectric properties of tetragonal PBN system has been evaluated. The piezoelectric coefficients (d, g, k and Q_m) were characterized. The C₃ composition exhibited optimum piezoelectric properties in the series, and this composition could be suitable for piezoelectric applications.     

Analysis and prediction of single laser tracks geometrical characteristics in coaxial laser cladding process

Direct Laser Fabrication is a promising new manufacturing technology coming from laser cladding process. From a coaxial nozzle, powder is fed through a laser beam on a substrate. The powder melting and solidification processes lead to the fabrication of a part layer by layer. In this work 316L stainless steel powder is used to form laser tracks on a low carbon steel substrate. The layer geometry is an important process characteristic to control the final part of fabrication. This paper presents analytical relationships between the laser tracks geometrical characteristics (width, height, area, penetration depth) and the processing parameters (laser power P, scanning speed V and powder mass flow Q_m). Three values of each processing parameters are fixed and so 27 different experiments have been made and analyzed. The validity of these results is discussed studying the correlation coefficient R, the graphical analysis of the residuals and the uncertainty evaluations. Two kinds of models are studied to predict the form and the geometrical characteristics of the single laser tracks cross sections. The first one is an analytical model in which the distribution of the powder in the feed jet is supposed to govern the laser clad geometry. Three distributions are proposed: Gaussian, uniform and polynomial. In the second model the general form of the clad cross section is supposed to be a disk due to the surface tension forces. Analytical relationships are established between the radius and the center of the disk in one hand and the process parameters in the other hand. This way we show that we can reproduce the laser track geometry in all the area experimentally explored.