An experimental study of laser supported hydrogen plasmasThe rudiments of a rocket thruster which receives its enthalpy from an energy source which is remotely beamed from a laser is described. An experimental study now partially complete is discussed which will eventually provide a detailed understanding of the physics for assessing the feasibility of using hydrogen plasmas for accepting and converting this energy to enthalpy. A plasma ignition scheme which uses a pulsed CO2 laser has been developed and the properties of the ignition spark documented, including breakdown intensities in hydrogen. A complete diagnostic system capable of determining plasma temperature and the plasma absorptivity for subsequent steady state absorption of a high power CO2 laser beam are developed and demonstrative use is discussed for the preliminary case study, a two atmosphere laser supported argon plasma.
Document ID
19840055192
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vanzandt, D. M. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mccay, T. D. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Eskridge, R. H. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Turbomachinery and Combustion Devices Branch, Huntsville, AL, United States)