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Laser/Microwave Energy Deposition to Improve Control/Performance of High Speed…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F103-009-2218 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
AF103-009 		Solicitation Number:
2010.3
Small Business Information
Physics, Materials & Applied Math Research, L.L.C.
1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 112 Tucson, AZ -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Laser/Microwave Energy Deposition to Improve Control/Performance of High Speed Vehicles
Agency: DOD
Contract: FA8650-11-M-3129
Award Amount: $99,999.00
 

Abstract:

In this effort, we will couple the energy of focused microwave bursts into the air and onto surfaces by first forming a laser plasma. The presence of the laser plasma allows much lower microwave intensities to couple their energy to the laser-pre-ionized surface or air-volume, allowing more efficient energy-transfer and the use of lower-power microwave systems to achieve the desired effect. We will use a variety of laser pulses, including ultrashort laser pulses, which can achieve the intensities required to seed surfaces and air, even with very little energy per pulse. This is a direct result of their short pulse width, and will allow very low average laser-power as the seed, relying on the more cost-effective microwave source for the bulk of the energy deposition. In this effort, our team will define energetically favorable high speed conditions, under which to implement laser-microwave discharges. We will also determine the test parameters required to test a slewing laser-microwave system that produces sculpted surface-volumetric discharges in quiescent and flowing air. Lastly, we will identify the plans for Phase II, to develop and demonstrate a laser-microwave system. BENEFIT: The benefits of this technology will increase control and performance on high speed air platforms, including military and civilian aircraft, as well as unmanned systems (including missiles and re-entry vehicles), and space access and re-entry craft. The potential absence of moving parts in the resulting control effectors stand to dramatically improve cost, risk, performance, and longevity.

Principal Investigator:

Kevin Kremeyer
Vice President of Research
(520) 903-2345
kremeyer@physics-math.com

Business Contact:

Denise Blum
Office Manager
(520) 903-2345
dblum@physics-math.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Physics, Materials & Applied Math Research, L.L.C.
1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 112 Tucson, AZ -

EIN/Tax ID: 860986177
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No