An Investigation of Mechanisms of Initiation of Laser-Supported Absorption (LSA) Waves
Abstract
This report presents results of experimental effort undertaken in the study of the initiation of laser-supported absorption (LSA) waves on solid surfaces irradiated in air with pulsed laser radiation. LSA waves may be classified as either supersonic, so-called laser-supported detonation (LSD) waves, or as subsonic, so-called laser-supported combustion (LSC) waves. In either case, a hot-air plasma (1-2 eV) is formed which propagates back up in the laser beam away from the target surface and absorbs most of the laser-beam energy. The objective of this study was to provide an improved understanding of the process of LSA wave initiation. During the first year of study, experiments were directed toward understanding the mechanisms of initiation of LSD waves produced on practical aluminum surfaces in air with the Battelle 80-joule TEA CO2 laser. During the second year of research, the universality of the electron emission mechanism was investigated in experimental studies of initiation at the 10.6 micrometer wavelength on additional metallic materials having practical surfaces, including tungsten, lead, copper, and zinc.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA024496
Entities
People
- C. T. Walters
- R. E. Beverly
- R. H. Barnes
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute