Thermodynamic Limitations on Energy Conversion in Laser Propulsion

Abstract

Outline: Comparison of Constant Momentum Mission and Constant Specific Impulse Mission; Efficiency of conversion of laser energy to propellant kinetic energy; Upper limit to conversion of laser energy to jet kinetic energy from energy conservation and definitions; Comparing momentum quantities to energy quantities. The "Phi Factor" and velocity distributions in propellant jet. Phi values for delta function, Maxwellian, Gaussian, Chunks and gas, supersonic expansion, etc.; Upper limits to performance based on chemical thermodynamics. Blowdown from defined equilibrium state of known volume.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 21, 2003
Accession Number
ADA417020

Entities

People

  • C.w. Larson
  • F.b. Mead Jr.
  • S.d. Knecht

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Conversion
  • Delta Functions
  • Earth Orbits
  • Efficiency
  • Energy
  • Energy Conservation
  • Energy Conversion
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Lasers
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Military Research
  • Payload
  • Propellants
  • Specific Impulse
  • Thermochemistry

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flight