[18p-S4_201-1~11] 3.6 Laser processing

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM JST(6:45 AM - 7:00 AM UTC)

[18p-S4_201-7] VUV-Resolved Ablation Plasma Dynamics and Their Relation to Thrust Coupling

〇Kouichi Matsuo^1,2,3, Shoushirou Sugio^1,3, Katsuhiko Tsuno³, Kensuke Miyajima², Takayo Ogawa³, Satoshi Wada³ (1.Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd., 2.Tokyo Univ. of Sci., 3.RIKEN RAP)

Keywords:

Laser ablation,VUV Spectroscopy,Momentum coupling coefficient

Space debris in low Earth orbit has become a critical issue with the rapid growth of space activities. Laser ablation using pulsed lasers is a promising removal technique, where plasma generated by laser irradiation imparts recoil momentum to alter debris orbits. This study investigates ablation plasma produced by irradiating an aluminum target with a nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) under vacuum conditions. Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopy is employed to determine plasma parameters such as electron density and temperature, which are essential for understanding ablation dynamics. Furthermore, the correlation between these parameters and the momentum coupling coefficient (Cm) is examined to provide quantitative insights into energy-to-impulse conversion. The results aim to support the development of design guidelines for future laser-based debris removal systems.