Ignition and Combustion Performance of Photosensitive Propellant for Laser‐Augmented Chemical Propulsion (LACP)

摘要

Laser‐augmented chemical propulsion as new concept which is able to overcome the disadvantagesof laser ablation and laser plasma propulsions were introduced. The photosensitive propellant applied inlaser‐augmented chemical propulsion were defined. By using high speed photography, the on/off andignition of propellant were obtained. The results showed that the propellant could realize laser‐sustainingcombustion and the process of laser ignition was controlled by both gas and condensed phases. Theburning rate increased linearly with the increase of laser radiant flux while ignition delay time decreasedat the same condition. By adding photosensitive absorber to the propellant, the ignition threshold of laserpower has been reduced down to less than 10 W. These results could provide some ideas for the betterunderstanding of laser‐augmented chemical propulsion.