Is laser space propulsion practical?: review.

In this paper, we review practical limitations to laser space propulsion that have been discussed in the literature. These are as follows: (1) thermal coupling to the propelled payload, which might melt it; (2) a decrease in mechanical coupling with number of pulses, which has been observed in some cases; and (3) destruction of solar panels in debris removal proposals that might create more debris rather than less. Previously, lack of data prevented definite assessments. Now, new data on multipulse vacuum laser impulse coupling coefficient Cm on several materials at 1064 nm, at 1030 nm, and at 532 nm are available. We are now able to compare the results for single and multiple pulses on materials that have been considered for laser ablation space propulsion (LASP), or that are likely space debris constituents, and decide whether LASP is a practical idea. Laser space propulsion and debris removal concepts depend on thousands or hundreds of thousands of repetitive pulses. Repetitive pulse mechanical coupling as well as thermal coupling (which can melt the target rather than propel it) are both important considerations. Materials studied were 6061T6 aluminum, carbon-doped polyoxymethylene (POM), undoped POM, a yellow POM copolymer, and a mixture of Al and POM microparticles combined and pressed, containing a 50%/50% mixture of the two materials by mass. We address 6 and 70 ps pulses because of the availability of data at these pulse durations. We also briefly consider continuous wave (CW) laser propulsion. Finally, we consider a recent paper concerning solar panel destruction from a positive perspective.

Efficacy of systemic ceftiofur as a therapy for severe clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.

The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of intramuscular administration of ceftiofur to reduce the incidence of case-related death and culling following severe clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cattle. A total of 104 cows with severe clinical mastitis (systemic signs) were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Immediately after detection of the case, one group was administered 2.2 mg/kg of ceftiofur intramuscularly, and the dose repeated at 24-h intervals for a total of five doses. The second group of cows did not receive systemic antibacterial therapy. Additionally, all cows in both treatment groups received intramammary pirlimycin (Pirsue) in the affected quarter every 24 h for a total of up to three doses. Also at the onset of the case, all cows on the trial were administered a supportive therapeutic regimen of fluids and anti-inflammatory agents that varied from farm to farm, but was standard within each herd at the discretion of the herd manager and veterinarian. Of all cases 14/104 (13.5%) resulted in a lost cow (died or culled). The proportion of cases that resulted in a lost cow and were treated with ceftiofur (4/51; 7.8%) did not statistically differ from cows that were not treated with ceftiofur (10/53; 18.9%). However, the proportion of cases that resulted in lost cows was higher for those cases that yielded a coliform organism on culture (14/56; 25.0%) than cases that did not yield coliforms (0/48; 0.0%; P < 0.001). Thus, among coliform cases, cows that were not treated with ceftiofur were more likely to be culled or die (10/27, 37.0%; P < 0.05) than cows treated with ceftiofur (4/29, 13.8%). We conclude that intramuscular administration of ceftiofur did not affect the outcome of severe clinical mastitis when all etiologic agents are included in the analysis. However, for severe clinical mastitis cases caused by coliform organisms, ceftiofur therapy reduced the proportion of cases that resulted in cow death or culling. This benefit may be realized because of the amelioration of bacteremic-related pathogenesis.

Observation of amplified reflection through degenerate fourwave mixing at CO(2) laser wavelengths in germanium.

We report the first known observation of amplified reflection through degenerate four-wave mixing at 10.6 microm. Reflectivities of over 100% are reported in both n-type and p-type germanium at pump intensities of about 100 MW/cm(2). The maximum reflectivity reported is 800% in p-type Ge.

Plasma-breakdown retropulse isolators for the infrared.

The design and performance of a passive plasma isolator for suppressing retropulses in high-power CO(2) laser-fusion systems are described. The device uses a gas-filled spatial filter designed to produce a plasma at the focal plane iris. General design criteria for these isolators are discussed, and the performance of a specific isolator is evaluated. For the unit tested, retropulse attenuations of 33 dB for focal plane intensities of 1.5 TW/cm(2) have been demonstrated.

Determination of the third-order nonlinear optical coefficients of germanium through ellipse rotation.

We describe the first reported direct determination of the 10 -Am nonlinear susceptibility in intrinsic Ge through time-resolved ellipse rotation. We found that X(3)(1111). = 2.5 X 10(-11) esu and X(3)(1221)= 1.3 X 10(-11) esu, significantly below previous estimates.

Saturation behavior of p-type germanium at CO(2) laser wavelengths.

Observed bleaching of single-crystal p-type germanium in the 10-microm region obeys an inhomogeneous broadening model for input intensities up to 100 times the saturation intensity I(s). Bleaching measurements show that I(s) varies from about 3.2 MW cm(-2) at 10.59 microm to about 6.8 MW cm(-2) at 9.27 microm. No significant variation of I(s) with crystal orientation is seen. Applications to CO(2) laser system isolation are discussed.

Reflective optics system for uniform spherical illumination.

A reflective optical system is described that permits nearly uniform illumination of a small sphere with one or two laser beams. The primary application of this device is to studies of laser-driven implosion of small targets. Other applications include the production of plasma by optical breakdown of gases for spectroscopic studies and for optimum light collection in intensity-limited plasma diagnostics. Simple calculations show that the intensity mapping properties of this system are not excessively sensitive to variations in the radial intensity distribution nor to departures from diffraction-limited propagation in the input beams. Optical damage and the illuminated solid angle required at the focus determine the size of the device.