Direct Impulse Measurements of Ablation Processes from Laser-Surface Interactions

Abstract

A torsional impulse balance has been developed as a new diagnostic tool to study fundamental processes in laser-surface interactions. Of particular interest are the forces due to processes of laser ablation. With respect to the transfer of momentum, direct measurements of the transient forces can lead to a better understanding and characterization of the efficiency of the impulse that is possible under different configurations. The impulse balance has been designed and tested with a robust calibration system to measure impulsive forces with resolution as low as several nano-Newton-seconds. Initial results of impulses due to ablation from an Nd:YAG laser (532nm) on various metals and other materials are presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA435844

Entities

People

  • Andrew D. Ketsdever
  • Brian D'souza

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ablation
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Calibration
  • Control Systems
  • Efficiency
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Pulses
  • Lasers
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Momentum
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solid State Lasers
  • Stainless Steel
  • Thrusters
  • Yag Lasers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy