Preliminary Study on the Use of Ceramic Nozzle Arrays in Gas Dynamic Lasers.

Abstract

One of the more difficult and costly problem areas in the development of high energy gas dynamic lasers (GDL) has been the nozzle array which is used to achieve 'freezing' of the vibrational energy mode via rapid expansion of nitrogen from high temperature plenum conditions. A model gas dynamic laser nozzle array fabricated from hot-pressed silicon nitride components has been successfully tested under thermal cycling air flow conditions to temperatures of 1150K. Excellent dimensional stability was shown by the center nozzle of the three nozzle assembly, and post-test examination of the components revealed no degradation of the materials. These findings suggest that ceramic materials offer important benefits to GDL systems.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA010618

Entities

People

  • James E. Drewry
  • Loren A. Jacobson

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Flow
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Energy
  • Gas Dynamic Lasers
  • High Energy
  • High Temperature
  • Lasers
  • Materials
  • Transition Temperature

Readers

  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy