High power laser interaction effects with metallic pressure vessel

摘要

The paper describes the theoretical and experimental investigation of high power Gas Dynamic Laser(GDL, A,~10.6u,m) interaction studies with a pressurized hollow metal(MS) target. The design and development of such type of target which has been shown bursting as well as burning effect at the time of interaction have been carried out. It has been filled by gas mixture of H2 and Air in the range of flammability limit. Various parameters like power density, target thickness, filling pressure, mixture ratio etc have been optimized. High mass flow GDL of power level about several KW in unstable mode provides power density about 3.2 KW/Cm2 by a beam delivery system at distance 25m. Since target material is thin and heat diffuses through it rapidly, by maintaining the required power density, rupturing is accomplished by heating an area of the pressure vessel to a temperature at which it will fail under the pressure load. Rupture initiates a propagating crack which spreads the damage over a large fraction of the pressure vessel. The gas mixture ignites due to its contact with atmosphere and explodes with a massive sound level of the order of 130dB. The sound level was measured by a Decibel meter. Temperature distribution along radial and depth have been studied theoretically. Surface temperature during interaction has been measured. Experimental data has been validated with theory. These study shows a very attractive demonstration showing potentiality of scientific applications of High Power CO2 Laser.