Directed target ablation for beamed energy propulsion.

As a continuation of research completed in the school year of 2002-2003, this project has three objectives. All three parts are designed to make Beamed Energy Propulsion (BEP) more efficient.

The main portion of testing determined whether directing the ablated material in a more perpendicular path than the hemispheric pattern from 2003 increased the efficiency. Adding a layer of plastic with a hole drilled through it directs the ablation. This greatly increased the efficiency of all combinations except dry copper, which can be neglected because of its inefficiency regardless of the direction of ablation. The second section of testing found which materials were most efficient. Aluminum, brass, and copper were tested in combination with no liquid, water, and vacuum oil to find the best combination. Aluminum was the most efficient metal, followed by brass, and finally copper. Water was the most efficient liquid, followed by vacuum oil, and then dry.

The final section of the project designed a target which is able to refill itself with a liquid, making it suitable for repeated shots. Three designs were created, and the most plausible was built. When positioned on an almost frictionless track, the target moved with repeated shots from the laser.