Microscale Thrusters with Pulsed Optical Lattices/Gas Nonresonant Dipole Interaction

The direct simulation Monte Carlo method is used to study the feasibility of new propulsion concepts based on the interaction of an optical lattice with gas molecules. Two regimes are considered, high density and low density. In the first one, a de Laval nozzle is examined with the carrier gas driven by energy and momentum deposition from the lattice to the region near the nozzle throat. Analytical expressions are developed and compared with the numerical predictions that describe the energy and momentum energy transfer between the lattice and the gas. In the second regime, a multiple orifice flow is considered with molecules accelerated to high velocities by a chirped lattice potential. Specific impulse of about 500 is obtained with the total thrust of over 10 μN per single 100 μm orifice.