Photonic Laser Propulsion: Atmospheric Dust Effects in Beam Propagation

Описание: The profound impact of atmospheric particulates on ultra-high power laser propagation was unequivocally observed in the demonstration of Photonic Laser Thruster, the core engine of Photonic Laser Propulsion (PLP), a transformative approach to space propulsion. PLP utilizes large-scale, high-finesse, actively stabilized optical resonators to enhance photonic thrust by several orders of magnitude over conventional beamed laser systems such as Breakthrough Starshot.
During a flight simulation of a 0.75-kg mock cubesat within a Class-1000 cleanroom, a ruptured dust filter bag introduced a cloud of particles into the PLT's recycled intracavity laser beam (CW 400 kW, CW 800 kW/cm² power density). Infrared video recorded the immediate and explosive vaporization of these particles upon interaction with the laser, producing a visible plasma ball and distinct sound. This phenomenon, observed with the PLT delivering 2.7 mN of thrust, starkly showcases the critical disruption (e.g., intense absorption and scattering) that atmospheric particulates cause to high-power laser beams, significantly hampering their propagation potential in real-world atmospheric environments.
Detailed technical findings and methodology are provided in Chapter 6 of Photonic Laser Propulsion and in the peer-reviewed article:
Bae, Y.K. (2021). Photonic Laser Thruster: 100 Times Scaling-Up and Propulsion Demonstration. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 37(3), 400–407. DOI: 10.2514/1.B38144