Dependence of Cm on the composition of Solid Binary Propellants in Ablative Laser Propulsion

C. A. RINALDI; N. G. BOGGIO; D. RODRIGUEZ; A. LAMAGNA; A. BOSELLI; F. MANZANO; J. CODNIA; L. AZCÁRATE

APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2011 vol. 257 p. 2019 - 2023

0169-4332

Propulsion pellets of different metal/salt (Zn/ CaCO3) composition have been prepared. The impulse imparted to the pellet by the laser has been measured using two different methods: a torsion pendulum and a piezoelectric sensor. The dependence of the coupling coefficient, Cm, on the composition of the solid binary propellants in ablative laser propulsion has been investigated under different experimental conditions: in vacuum and at atmospheric pressure as well as with two different wavelengths, IR and UV. The composition of the Zn / CaCO3 propellant mixture that optimizes the coupling coefficient, Cm, has been determined.