Thermodynamic Limitations on Energy Conversion in Laser Propulsion

摘要

Outline: Comparison of Constant Momentum Mission and Constant Specific Impulse Mission; Efficiency of conversion of laser energy to propellant kinetic energy; Upper limit to conversion of laser energy to jet kinetic energy from energy conservation and definitions; Comparing momentum quantities to energy quantities. The 'Phi Factor' and velocity distributions in propellant jet. Phi values for delta function, Maxwellian, Gaussian, Chunks and gas, supersonic expansion, etc.; Upper limits to performance based on chemical thermodynamics. Blowdown from defined equilibrium state of known volume.