Real-Time Instrumentation for Mass Loss Measurements on Laser Materials

Abstract

Real-Time mass loss instrumentation has been developed for the Defense Nuclear Agency to provide a means of studying laser and target interaction during target illumination by continuous wave (CW) high energy lasers. Mass loss measurements that were addressed in this program are the transients that occur during and immediately following coupon illumination. The high frequency inertial mass measurement technique furnishes rapid mass measurements required to resolve mass transients. The instrumentation possesses resistance to impulsive forces present during material ablation allowing continuous measurements during an event. Tests performed using the prototype balance and a 50 kW CW laser demonstrated this concept to be valid. Present mass resolution is + or - 600 micrograms at a time resolution of 500 microseconds. There do not appear to be any technological barriers that would prevent significant time and mass resolution improvements. Laser research, Mass loss rate, Laser material research, Mass measurements, Continuous wave laser, Mass loss transients.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA273452

Entities

People

  • John Hiss

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Automatic Gain Control
  • Calibration
  • Classification
  • Continuous Waves
  • Data Acquisition
  • Energy
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Shift
  • High Energy
  • Instrumentation
  • Laser Materials
  • Lasers
  • Materials
  • Security
  • Test Facilities
  • Verification
  • Verification Tests

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers