Sensors & Transducers
Vol. 266, Issue 3, August 2024, pp. 9-15
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Contrasting Laser Ablation and Photon Pressure Propulsion
1, * Claude PHIPPS, 2 Gediminas RACIUKAITIS, 3 Séverine A. E. BOYER
1
Photonic Associates, LLC, 200A Ojo de la Vaca Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87508, USA
2
FTMC – Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Savanoriu Ave. 231, Vilnius 02300, Lithuania
3
CNRS7635-CEMEF, MINES ParisTech PSL, Sophia Antipolis, France
1
Tel.: +1-215-358-4360, fax: +1-505-466-3877
* E-mail: crphipps@aol.com
Received: 23 April 2024 / Revised: 21 July 2024 / Accepted: 9 August 2024 /
Published: 12 August 2024
Abstract: In this article, we contrast laser ablation propulsion with photon pressure propulsion. LAP must use repetitive short pulses (~100 ps) for best performance, while PPP requires GW-level continuous (CW) lasers and a lightsail to receive the beam and drag the payload to relativistic speeds.
Keywords: Photon pressure propulsion, Breakthrough starshot, Laser ablation propulsion, Relativistic travel, Alpha Centauri.
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