Numerical Study of LSD-LSC Transition by Periodic Laser Irradiation Propagating through Monatomic and Diatomic Gases

Abstract

Laser-supported detonation (LSD) is a type of supersonic flow, which is considered as a very important phenomenon in laser propulsion systems because it can generate high pressure and temperature. On the other hand, LSD transforms to LSC (Laser-supported combustion wave) when the irradiative laser power becomes weaker. In this study, the LSD-to-LSC-transitions in periodically variable laser irradiations for both argon and hydrogen gases are investigated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, using a thermochemical nonequilibrium model. In considering both of LSD-to-LSC transition and LSC-to-LSD restoration, hydrogen gas is easier to remain the transformations by a shorter periodic irradiation.