Improving supersonic flights with femtosecond laser filamentation

Elias, Paul-Quentin; Severac, Nicolas; Luyssen, Jean-Marc; André, Yves-Bernard; Doudet, Ivan; Wattellier, Benoît; Tobeli, Jean-Pierre; Albert, Sylvain; Mahieu, B.; Bur, Reynald; Mysyrowicz, A.; Houard, Aurélien

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aau5239

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…We compared the effect on high-voltage discharges of the low-density channel created by a laser pulse at the 1030 nm fundamental wavelength, to the one created by a dual-laser pulse combining the fundamental and the SHG by using an interferometer arrangement [58]. The phase shift induced by the low-density channel on a transverse probe laser is characterized using a wavefront sensor.…”

Section: Hv Discharges Triggered By Dual-and Triple-frequency Laser Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

The laser lightning rod project

Produit

Walch

Herkommer

et al. 2021

Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys.

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Lightning is highly destructive due to its high power density and unpredictable character. Directing lightning away would allow to protect sensitive sites from its direct and indirect impacts (electromagnetic perturbations). Up to now, lasers have been unable to guide lightning efficiently since they were not offering simultaneously terawatt peak powers and kHz repetition rates. In the framework of the Laser Lightning Rod project, we develop a laser system for lightning control, with J-range pulses of 1 ps duration at 1 kHz. The project aims at investigate its propagation in the multiple filamentation regime and its ability to control high-voltage discharges. In particular, a field campaign at the Säntis mountain will assess the laser ability to trigger upward lightning.

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Section: Hv Discharges Triggered By Dual-and Triple-frequency Laser Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

The laser lightning rod project

Produit

Walch

Herkommer

et al. 2021

Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys.

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“…This effect is initiated by a thin hot-air column created in front of the supersonic object by microwave or laser pulses. Alternatively, energy deposition can also significantly decrease drag [54]. Aeroelastic vibrations are generated during flight because of the interaction between the aircraft structure and the surrounding air.…”

Section: B Lasers (Trl 4)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstrator (SSBD) showed via flight testing that shape modifications that reduced the loudness of an F-5E by 6.4 PLdB also increased drag by more than 6% [49]. While the strategy could be used to improve the acoustic and aerodynamic performances [54,[58][59][60], the boom-reducing performance was also shown not to affect all off-design states [46].…”

Section: Large Reconfigurations (Trl 8)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Atmospheric Profiles on Sonic Boom Perceived Level from Supersonic Vehicles

Leal¹,

Schrass²,

Giblette³

et al. 2021

AIAA Journal

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U.S. national research priorities include reducing the disruption caused by sonic booms, which hindered the economic viability of supersonic aircraft in decades past. However, shock waves are unavoidable during supersonic flight; and exposure of people, animals, and structures to these shock waves on the ground cannot be eliminated entirely. It is herein shown that changing atmospheric conditions, gusts, and heights above ground can result in any supersonic aircraft that is acceptably quiet at specific atmospheric conditions becoming uncomfortably loud in other flight conditions. These performance variations are noticeable for periods ranging from 12 h to one year across the continental United States of America. Therefore, strategies to actively mitigate sonic booms may become necessary as researchers work toward resumption of overland commercial supersonic flight.

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“…A door at the top opens fast as the vehicle exits the tube and lasers in the vehicle vaporize just a few centimeters of the atmosphere directly ahead so that there is still no (or very little) air resistance. I thought this last notion might be beyond current reach, but just discovered that the concept is not only known but has been demonstrated to reduce drag by 50 percent [31]! More extreme notions have been patented by U.S. Navy Scientist, S. C. Pais, but the verdict is out on their feasibility [18].…”

Section: Propulsionmentioning

confidence: 99%