Transient reactive exhaust flow from a ring-symmetric HF/DF space laser
Authors
Falcovitz, Joseph
Subjects
Laser Exhaust
Spacecraft Contamination
Chemical Laser
Exhaust Plume
Hydrogen Recombination
Transient Flow
Spacecraft Contamination
Chemical Laser
Exhaust Plume
Hydrogen Recombination
Transient Flow
Advisors
Date of Issue
1987-03
Date
1987-03
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
eng
Abstract
Transient diffuser flow in an HF/DF laser is analyzed via a simplified model. A radial laser configuration is assumed where the diffuser is idealized as a ring-symmetric channel of uniform width. The outward radial flow following an abrupt start-up of diffuser inflow is computed numerically using a GRP-type code for integrating the Euler equations, which include an ongoing reaction of hydrogen recombination. A new kinetic scattering effect is suggested, resulting from the recoil of an HF or DF molecule assisting as third body in the hydrogen recombination reaction. The main conclusion is that transient diffuser plume flow effects do not drastically aggravate the potential for contaminating backflow (HF + DF) caused by either thermal or kinetic backscattering. Keywords: Laser exhaust; Spacecraft contamination; Chemical laser; Exhaust plume, Hydrogen recombination; Transient flow
Type
Technical Report
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Graduate School of Operational and Information Sciences (GSOIS)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
NPS72-87-002CR
Sponsors
Prepared for: Strategic Defense Initiatve Office
The Pentagon, Washington, DC
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.