Effects of nozzle configuration and laser focusing site on propulsive performances of atomized water droplets

A TEA CO2 laser was employed to ablate atomized droplets for laser propulsion. Parabolic and conic nozzles were chosen for study. Total impulse was derived from the piezoelectric sensor data. Experimental results indicated that specific impulse and internal efficiency were increased to 102 s and 26.1% respectively. For short nozzles, propulsive characteristics increased as focusing site was moved nearer to the top of nozzles. Propulsive characteristics of parabolic nozzles were better than that of conical nozzles.