TY - JOUR
T1 - Transient structure of ionized atmosphere in pulsed laser propulsion system
AU - Takahashi, Koji
AU - Maeda, K.
AU - Ikuta, T.
AU - Hatano, S.
AU - Mori, Y.
AU - Nagayama, K.
PY - 2001/1/1
Y1 - 2001/1/1
N2 - Optical breakdown of air is explored by using high-speed photography for the realization of laser propulsion system in aerospace engineering. The multiple ionization and subsequent pear-shaped emission by laser pulse through a convex lens are recorded and analyzed by image converter camera. The improved pulsed-laser shadowgraphy employed in this system successfully enables us to visualize the transient structures of complicated shock waves more clearly than ever. The ionization just above the surface of an aluminum target is also examined in comparison with the case of no target, which may be the major mechanism of Myrabo's demonstration of a small flyer launching by a pulsed carbon dioxide laser. Not only the high-enthalpy states of the ionized atmosphere are calculated but also the precise history of breakdown initiation in the nanosecond laser pulse is obtained.
AB - Optical breakdown of air is explored by using high-speed photography for the realization of laser propulsion system in aerospace engineering. The multiple ionization and subsequent pear-shaped emission by laser pulse through a convex lens are recorded and analyzed by image converter camera. The improved pulsed-laser shadowgraphy employed in this system successfully enables us to visualize the transient structures of complicated shock waves more clearly than ever. The ionization just above the surface of an aluminum target is also examined in comparison with the case of no target, which may be the major mechanism of Myrabo's demonstration of a small flyer launching by a pulsed carbon dioxide laser. Not only the high-enthalpy states of the ionized atmosphere are calculated but also the precise history of breakdown initiation in the nanosecond laser pulse is obtained.
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U2 - 10.1117/12.424251
DO - 10.1117/12.424251
M3 - Conference article
AN - SCOPUS:0034853517
SN - 0277-786X
VL - 4183
SP - 907
EP - 916
JO - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
JF - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
T2 - 24th International Congress on High-Speed Photography and Photonics
Y2 - 24 September 2000 through 29 September 2000
ER -