Time-Resolved Force and Schlieren Visualization Study of TEA CO2 Laser Ablation of Water Droplets.

Time-resolved force sensing technique was applied to the study of propulsive characteristics of water droplets for multi-pulse TEA (transversely excited at atmospheric pressure) CO₂ laser propulsion. Laser-driven blast waves and associated flow dynamics in the impulse generation processes of ablation of water droplets were studied by Schlieren visualization. Experimental results showed that coupling coefficient and specific impulse decreased as the interval between laser pulses and pulse numbers was increased. The maximum speed of the blast wave in the opposite and same direction of laser propagation was respectively 10 km/s and 7 km/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]