Abstract
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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
C. Phipps, M. Birkan, W. Bohn, H.-A. Eckel, H. Horisawa, T. Lippert, M. Michaelis, Y. Rezunkov, A. Sasoh, W. Schall, S. Scharring, J. Sinko, J. Propul. Power 26, 609–637 (2010)
T. Lippert, M. Hauer, C.R. Phipps, A. Wokaun, Appl. Phys. A 77, 259–264 (2003)
C. Phipps, W. Bohn, T. Lippert, A. Sasoh, W. Schall, J. Sinko, AIP Conf. Proc. 1278, 710–722 (2010)
W. O. Schall, H.-A. Eckel, W. L. Bohn, in Laser Ablation and its Applications, ed. by C.R. Phipps, ch. 17 (Springer, 2007), pp. 435–454
C.A. Rinaldi, N.G. Boggio, D. Rodriguez, A. Lamagna, A. Boselli, F. Manzano, J. Codnia, M.L. Azcárate, Appl. Surf. Sci. 257, 2019–2023 (2011)
C. Sánchez Aké, D. Rodriguez, N.G. Boggio, A. Lamagna, J. Codnia, M.L. Azcárate, M. Villagrán Muñiz, C. Rinaldi. Development and characterization of fuel and micro nozzles for laser propulsion. 11th International Conference on Laser Ablation. Playa del Carmen, México, November 13–19 (2011)
L. Li, Z. Tang, H. Xiaojun, J. Peng, AIP Conf. Proc. 1402, 258–268 (2011)
M. Villagrán-Muñiz, H. Sobral, C.A. Rinaldi, I. Cabanillas-Vidosa, J.C. Ferrero, J. Appl. Phys. 104, 103–112 (2008)
A.M. Beccaglia, C.A. Rinaldi, J.C. Ferrero, Anal. Chim. Acta 579(1), 11–16 (2006)
P.J. Linstrom, W.G. Mallard (eds), NIST Chemistry WebBook, NIST Standard Reference Database Number 69, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 2010, 20899 http://webbook.nist.gov
H. Sobral, M. Villagrán-Muniz, F. Bredice, J. Appl. Phys. 98, 1–5 (2005)
C. Toro, J.M. Lorenzi, N. Boggio, S. Ortiz, C. SanchezAke, M.M.Villagrán, A. Lamagna, C. Rinaldi, 97a Reunión Nacional de la Asociación de Física Argentina, Córdoba, Argentina, September 25–28 (2012)
C. Toro, N.D. Gómez, C. Monges, N.G. Boggio, J. Codnia, M.L. Azcárate, S. Ortiz y C. Rinaldi. 98ª Reunión Nacional de la Asociación Física Argentina. S.C. de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina September 24–27 (2013)
Acknowledgments
Financial support of this work was provided by the AgenciaNacional de PromociónCientífica y Tecnológica.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Toro, C., Gómez, N.D., Boggio, N.G. et al. Design and characterization of nozzles and solid propellants for IR laser propulsion. Appl. Phys. A 117, 43–47 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-014-8539-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-014-8539-4