CW Laser Powered Space Propulsion System

Laser Accelerated Plasma Propulsion System (LAPPS)

Recently conducted experiments at the University of Michigan and elsewhere have shown that ultrashort pulse (ultrafast) lasers could accelerate charged particles to relativistic speeds. For example a picosecond laser pulse with only one joule of energy can accelerate an electron to MeV energy in just a few microns distance. This takes place through the high gradient potential that manifests its...

Laser Accelerated Heavy-ion Plasma Propulsion System

The Ultrafast “Laser Accelerated Plasma Propulsion System” LAPPS makes use of lasers with very short pulse lengths to accelerate charged particles to relativistic speeds. Recent experimental data reveal that high intensity lasers are capable of producing collimated, charge-neutral proton beams containing more than 6 x 10 particles at a mean energy of 5 MeV with a total beam energy of 500J. If u...

Fundamental Architecture and Performance Analysis of Photofission Pulsed Space Propulsion System Using Ultra-Intense Laser

Photofission enables a unique capability for the domain of non-chemical space propulsion. An ultra-intense laser enables the capacity to induce nuclear fission through the development of bremsstrahlung photons. A fundamental architecture and performance analysis of a photofission pulsed space propulsion system through the operation of an ultra-intense laser is presented. A historical perspectiv...

Remotely Powered Propulsion of Helical Nanobelts

Reynolds number fluids would have a big technological impact in many fields. Few known mechanisms are able to propel such devices. Here we demonstrate that helical nanobelts can swim in liquid when actuated by an electric field generated by electro-osmotic force. Moreover, we show these devices achieve speeds at or slightly above those demonstrated by natural bacteria. The helical nanobelts wer...

CW THz Wave Generation System with Diode Laser Pumping