Diagnostics and Impulse Performance of Laser-Ablative Propulsion.

Pressure time variations and associated flows induced by pulsed laser ablation were experimentally studied using the Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) and framing Schlieren visualization. The combination of either aluminum or polyacetal target and TEA CO₂ laser pulse were examined. The VISAR measurement resolved that the pressure modulated from the laser power variation in the impulse generation processes. Integrated impulse induced by repetative CO₂ laser pulses was measured using a torsion-type impulse balance. The effect of the ambient pressure was significant. The measured impulse characteristics were closely associated with target surface morphology and fluid dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]