Laser motor

摘要

Light driven actuators that have already been proposed are intended for applications on a rather small scale, however, commercially available laser oscillators have sufficient energy to drive much larger objects. Is it possible to realize light-driven actuators that can replace electrical motors? In this paper, a discussion regarding this goal is presented on basis of the conversion efficiencies from light energy into mechanical energy. Several methods of actuation, including the one that is based on radiation pressure, were compared from this perspective. The energy conversion efficiencies for converting the motion of the actuator element into a useful form of motion are separately considered. It was concluded that light-absorption type actuators with a continuous operation scheme are the most promising for achieving a high efficiency. Based on these findings, a new scheme, called the laser motor, is proposed. In the proposed scheme, a pulsed laser shines on an elastic material and induces a specific form of vibrations in it. By using two lasers, a traveling wave is formed. Another object is pressed against the vibrating surface and a relative movement between the two objects is then created.