G1900106 Steady laser detonation wave propulsion

Abstract

Possible technique to generate the steady laser detonation wave is considered theoretically. This new kind of detonation wave can be sustained by irradiating a supersonic flow by the addition of small amounts of nano-size black-carbon particles. The supersonic flow is heated up to the subliming temperature of the added particles due to the heat convection from the particle to the ambient gas. When this heating technique is applied in a rocket engine, the specific impulse more than 900 sec is attainable.