Copper Vapor Generator
Abstract
Solid fuel propellants seeded with copper powder have been examined as an example of chemical generation of the copper vapor in a copper-vapor laser that has the potential of generating a visible output (510.6 nm) with high efficiency. Chemical generation of the copper vapor is the only approach capable of producing an overall electrical efficiency of 10 percent in a flowing copper- vapor laser. The effect of Ar, N2, CO2, CO, H2, and H2O as additive gases on the laser's performance has been determined. A simulated propellant-generated copper-vapor laser was demonstrated by flowing the expected mixture of tank gases over molten copper upstream of the laser cavity. Laser performance was seriously degraded due to the presence of the additive gas mixture. The propellant-generated tests were unsuccessful in part due to insufficient vaporization of the copper seed particles which were distributed in the solid fuel propellant. A heat-pipe copper-vapor laser was also demonstrated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA000555
Entities
People
- James T. Latourrette
- Nicholas Solimene
- Robert B. Keller
- Sandor Holly
- William T. Walter
Organizations
- ARCO