High-speed rotor for microparticle impact studies

We report on the design, construction, and testing of a high-speed rotor intended for use in hypervelocity microparticle impact studies. The is based four-wing design to provide rotational stability includes flat “paddle” surfaces ∼0.5 cm2 at tips each wing. profile wing minimizes variation tensile forces any given speed. was machined using titanium (grade 5) operated high vacuum magnetically levitated bearings. Initial experiments were run several speeds up 100 000 rpm (revolutions per minute), corresponding tip speed 670 m/s. Elongation as function measured with precision micrometers focused diode laser found agree an elastic modulus 1.16 GPa material. Applications are discussed.