High Power Laser Propulsion (Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics, 116)

Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
About the Author
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: A Brief History of Laser Propulsion
	1.1 Introduction
	1.2 Main Stages of Laser-Propulsion Developments
	1.3 Physical Processes Underlying Laser Propulsion
		1.3.1 General Classification of the Laser-Propulsion Phenomena
		1.3.2 Basic Thrust Characteristics of Laser-Propulsion Engines
	1.4 General Concepts of Laser Propulsion
		1.4.1 Launching Space Vehicles into Low Earth Orbits with Laser Propulsion
		1.4.2 Laser Propulsion for the Correction of LEO Satellites
		1.4.3 Interorbital Missions of Space Vehicles with the Laser Propulsion
	1.5 Original Concepts of High-Power Laser Propulsion
		1.5.1 The ``4P´´ Vehicles
		1.5.2 Lightcraft Technology Demonstrator (LTD)
		1.5.3 Laser Impulse Space Propulsion-LISP
		1.5.4 Principal Concept Design of the High-power Laser-Propulsion Systems
	References
Chapter 2: Basic Gas-Dynamic Theories of the Laser Air-Breathing and Rocket Propulsion
	2.1 Introduction
	2.2 Gas-dynamic Theory of Laser Propulsion
		2.2.1 Specific Properties of Pulsejet Laser Propulsion
		2.2.2 Rocket Laser Propulsion at Space Conditions
			2.2.2.1 Choice of a Propellant for Space Laser Propulsion
			2.2.2.2 Determination of the Jet Nozzle Designs
	2.3 Physics of Laser Plasma Ignited in Gases as Applied to Laser Propulsion
		2.3.1 Model of Multi-Ionized Plasma Ignited by Laser Pulses in Gases
		2.3.2 Conversion Efficiency of Laser Power into Plasma Temperature
	2.4 Numerical Calculations of Non-stationary and Non-isentropic Gas Flows as Applied to Laser Propulsion
		2.4.1 Perfect Gas Flow Models and Numerical Algorithms to Calculate Gas Flow of Pulsejet Laser Propulsion
		2.4.2 Model of Equilibrium (Thermal) Plasma
		2.4.3 Model of Non-equilibrium Plasma as Applied to Pulsejet Laser Propulsion
		2.4.4 Discussion on the Applicability of Various Models of Plasma Ignited
	References
Chapter 3: Laser Ablation of Solid Materials, Laser Ablation Propulsion
	3.1 Introduction
	3.2 Physical Phenomena Underlying of Laser Ablation Propulsion
		3.2.1 Basic Concept of Developed Evaporation of High-Melting and Low-Melting Materials
		3.2.2 Simplified Gas-Dynamics Model of Laser ablation Propulsion
		3.2.3 ``Absorption Explosion´´ Model of Plasma Ignition at Laser Ablation of Solid Targets
		3.2.4 Gas-Dynamic Models of the Laser Radiation Interaction with Ionized Gas (Gaseous Plasma)
	3.3 Effects of Solid Target Structure on Laser Ablation Propulsion
		3.3.1 Direct Laser Ablation Propulsion
		3.3.2 Combined Laser Ablation Propulsion
		3.3.3 Confined Laser Ablation of Multilayer Structured Targets
	3.4 Laser Ablation Propulsion Based on Ablation of High-Energy Polymers
		3.4.1 Basic Plasma-chemical Reactions Proceeding in the CHO-Polymer Vapor Under Laser Radiation
		3.4.2 Similarity Laws of Laser Ablation Propulsion Based on Polymer Propellants
	3.5 Semi-empirical Models of Laser ablation Propulsion Based on CHO-Polymers
		3.5.1 Gas-Dynamics of the Laser Ablation Propulsion
		3.5.2 Vapor and Plasma Models of the Laser ablation Propulsion Using Critical Laser Power Flux
	3.6 Efficiency of the Laser Ablation Propulsion Based on CHO-Polymers
	References
Chapter 4: Aerospace Laser-Propulsion Engine
	4.1 Introduction
	4.2 The Aerospace Laser-Propulsion Engine Conception
		4.2.1 Designing of Two-Mirror Beam Concentrator
		4.2.2 Optical Model of the Two-Mirror Beam Concentrator
		4.2.3 Numerical Techniques to Develop the Two-Mirror Beam Concentrator
	4.3 ASLPE Thrust Characteristics in a Pulsed Mode of Operation
	4.4 Adaptation of ASLPE for Continuous Wave (CW) Laser Propulsion
		4.4.1 Principles of CW Laser Propulsion
		4.4.2 CW ASLPE Thrust Characteristics
	4.5 Analysis of Available Technologies as Applied to ASLPE Development and its Engineering Constraints
		4.5.1 Effects of Slit on Thrust Production
		4.5.2 Thermo-physical Model of the ASLPE Device
	4.6 Preliminary Conclusion
	References
Chapter 5: Supersonic Laser Propulsion
	5.1 Introduction
	5.2 Lightcraft Engineering Version Adapted to the Pulsejet Supersonic Laser Propulsion
		5.2.1 Perspective Designs of the Lightcraft
		5.2.2 Intermediate Conclusion
	5.3 Physical Phenomena Going with Ramjet Supersonic Laser Propulsion
		5.3.1 Gas-Dynamics Effects Induced by Lasers in a Supersonic Gas Flow
	5.4 Merging of Individual Shock Waves into a Quasi-Stationary Integrated Shock Wave
	5.5 Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion
		5.5.1 The Effects of Gas Jet Injection into Supersonic Gas Flows
		5.5.2 Theoretical Model of Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion
		5.5.3 Thrust Characteristics of Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion
		5.5.4 Peculiar Properties of Thrust Production at the Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion
	5.6 Conclusion
	References
Chapter 6: Space Mini-vehicles with Laser Propulsion
	6.1 Introduction to the Problem
	6.2 Scenario of the SMV Orbital Maneuvers
	6.3 Space Debris Removal Out of Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) by Using Laser-Propelled Space Mini-vehicles
	6.4 Onboard Laser-Propulsion System as Applied to SMV
		6.4.1 Receiver Telescope
		6.4.2 Optical Turret
		6.4.3 Optical Switch
		6.4.4 The Unit of Laser-Propulsion Engines
		6.4.5 Requirements to Optical Elements of the Onboard Laser-Propulsion System
	6.5 Brief Outcome
	References
Chapter 7: Laser Power Transfer to Space Vehicles with Laser Propulsion
	7.1 Introduction into the Problem
	7.2 Models of the Aerosols and Gases Attenuation, Absorption, and Scattering of Laser Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere
		7.2.1 Models of the Atmospheric Aerosols and Gases
		7.2.2 Nonlinear Effects Developed During Propagation of High-Power Laser Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere
	7.3 Self-Empirical Models of the Upper Atmosphere Turbulence
	7.4 Phase and Intensity Profiles of the Laser Beam That Passed Through a Turbulent Atmosphere
		7.4.1 Tentative Conclusion
	7.5 Basic Atmospheric Effects Limiting Delivery of the Airborne Laser Power to Space Vehicle
		7.5.1 Scenario of Laser Power Delivery to a Space Vehicle
		7.5.2 Turbulence Effects on a Laser Beam as Applied to High-Power Laser Propulsion
	7.6 Adaptive Laser Systems for the High-Power Laser Propulsion
		7.6.1 Statement of the Problem
		7.6.2 Adaptive Optical Laser Circuits and Special Equipment
			7.6.2.1 Beam Wave Front Analyzers (BWA)
			7.6.2.2 Beam Wave Front Phase Correctors
		7.6.3 Laser Adaptive Optical Systems as Applied to Beaming a Remote Target
			7.6.3.1 Linear Adaptive Laser Systems
			7.6.3.2 Nonlinear Adaptive System Based on the Interaction of Laser Radiations with a Nonlinear Optical Medium
		7.6.4 Principal Outcomes
	References
Conclusion
Index