Study on Energy Law of Similitude for Laser Propulsion in Repetitively-pulsed Mode

Energy law of similitude for laser propulsion refers to the law that there is an optimum nozzle configuration for the largest value of impulse coupling coefficient at certain incident laser energy. A dimensionless factor combined with incident laser energy, nozzle configuration parameters and working gas parameters is introduced. Energy law of similitude is established by means of theoretical analysis, experimental study and numerical simulation of radiation gas-dynamics. The qualitative results obtained from theoretical analysis are verified by experimental and numerical results. Physical meaning and engineering application of dimensionless factor and energy law of similitude are analyzed. Results indicate that impulse coupling coefficient has a maximum value with dimensionless factor of about 0.4; impulse coupling coefficient is independent of incident laser energy when dimensionless factor is constant. Conclusions and recognitions acquired in this article can not only present optimum nozzle configurations for the present laser energy level, but also provide a good guide for the optimum nozzle configuration design once the laser energy is amplified to a high level.