Experimental investigation of single-pulse performance for air-breathing laser propulsion

Experimental investigations of single-pulse performance for air-breathing laser propulsion were carried out with several measurement systems, in which different focus and constraint conditions were employed. Effects of pressure, single-pulse energy and experimental models on the impulse coupling coefficient were pointed out and stable intervals of the impulse coupling coefficient changing with experimental conditions were found. Pulse thrust loading process was measured, whose duration was 170 μs and peak value was 200 N. Wave structures of the flow field for different constraints and pulse energy were obtained and higher velocity and longer duration for laser blast wave would can increase the impulse. In the finally, research limitation and development for air-breathing laser propulsion are analyzed, which provide good experimental method and datum for repetitive pulse performance investigation.