Multilayers for directed energy accelerated lightsails

Abstract A lightsail accelerated via directed energy is a candidate technology to send a probe into the deep space in a time period compatible with human life. The light emitted by a ground-based large-aperture phased laser array is directed onto the lightsail to produce a thrust by transferring the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Communications materials 2022-12, Vol.3 (1), p.1-11, Article 16
Main Authors:	Santi, Giovanni, Favaro, Giulio, Corso, Alain J., Lubin, Philip, Bazzan, Marco, Ragazzoni, Roberto, Garoli, Denis, Pelizzo, Maria G.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Acceleration Deep space Laser arrays Lasers Materials selection Multilayers Optimization Radiation pressure Stiffness Thermal stability
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Abstract A lightsail accelerated via directed energy is a candidate technology to send a probe into the deep space in a time period compatible with human life. The light emitted by a ground-based large-aperture phased laser array is directed onto the lightsail to produce a thrust by transferring the momentum of the incident photons. Here we demonstrate that optimized multilayer structures allow ultralight spacecraft being accelerated by laser radiation pressure up to 20% of the light velocity, and eventually even above, as long as a compromise between efficiency and weight is achieved. Layer materials are selected to provide high reflectance in the Doppler-shifted laser wavelength range as well as high emissivity in the infrared, this last characteristic being required to survive to the temperature increase during the acceleration phase.
ISSN:	2662-4443 2662-4443