Designed polymers for laser-based microthrusters: correlation of thrust with material, plasma, and shockwave properties (Plenary Paper)

Lukas Urech; Marc Hauer; Thomas Lippert; Claude R. Phipps; Esther Schmid; Alexander Wokaun; Ingrid Wysong

doi:10.1117/12.544771

20 September 2004 Designed polymers for laser-based microthrusters: correlation of thrust with material, plasma, and shockwave properties (Plenary Paper)

Lukas Urech, Marc Hauer, Thomas Lippert, Claude R. Phipps, Esther Schmid, Alexander Wokaun, Ingrid Wysong

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.544771
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation, 2004, Taos, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

The micro laser plasma thruster (μLPT) is a micropropulsion device, designed for the steering and propelling of small satellites (10 to 100 kg). A diode laser is focused on a two-layer polymer tape, where it forms a plasma. The thrust produced by this plasma is used to control the satellite motion. Three different polymers (GAP, PVN and PVC) doped with carbon and/or IR-dye were investigated for their performance as fuel polymer. The different dopants for GAP seem to have only little influence in the ablation properties. The most pronounced differences are observed in the fragment ejection detected in the shadowgraphy measurements and the crater appearance. For all carbon doped polymers, the ablation spots have a similar rough morphology. The shadowgraphy measurements of PVN reveal, that the shockwave and particle plume propagates faster as in the case of the other polymers. The particle plumes showed a very different expansion behavior for all polymers, whereas the plasma temperature and electron density measurements showed no significant difference. Only PVC displayed a slower almost linear drop of the plasma temperature over time. The thrust measurements showed the best results for GAP.

Citation Download Citation

Lukas Urech, Marc Hauer, Thomas Lippert, Claude R. Phipps, Esther Schmid, Alexander Wokaun, and Ingrid Wysong "Designed polymers for laser-based microthrusters: correlation of thrust with material, plasma, and shockwave properties (Plenary Paper)", Proc. SPIE 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V, (20 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.544771

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available