Study on the Laser Propulsion Performance of Carbon-Boron Filled Aluminum-Matrix Composite Targets Based on Microcavity Confinement

Abstract This study investigates the effects of a microcavity confinement structure and aluminum-matrix composite target containing propellants, namely containing carbon and boron powder propellants at different doping ratios, on propulsion efficiency. After laser focusing, high-temperature and high-pressure plasma is generated, thereby inducing a shock wave. The shock wave is confined within the microcavity structure, which prolongs its action time on the target. To further characterize the shock wave behavior, the propagation process of the shock wave inside the microcavity is simulated using COMSOL. The results show that the target with the microcavity confinement structure can effectively extend the action time of the shock wave and promote directional plasma ejection. The study further indicates that a doping ratio of 70% yields the best propulsion performance among the tested compositions. Under this optimal composition, the hemispherical microcavity further increases the impulse coupling coefficient (Cm) by 97.7% compared with the planar target. In addition, the potential applications of laser ablation propulsion technology in laser ignition and laser cleaning are simulated. The results indicate that both the microcavity confinement structure and the propellant ratio have significant effects on propulsion efficiency.