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

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-11-M-3129
Agency Tracking Number: F103-009-2218
Amount: $99,999.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF103-009
Solicitation Number: 2010.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-01-12
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 112
Tucson, AZ -
United States
DUNS: 058268652
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Kevin Kremeyer
 Vice President of Research
 (520) 903-2345
 kremeyer@physics-math.com
Business Contact
 Denise Blum
Title: Office Manager
Phone: (520) 903-2345
Email: dblum@physics-math.com
Research Institution
 Stub
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.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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