The transmissive mode laser micro-ablation performance of near-infrared (NIR) dye-optimized ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based liquid propellant was investigated in laser plasma propulsion using a pulse YAG laser with 5 ns pulse width and 1064 nm wavelength. Miniature fiber optic near-infrared spectrometer, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and high-speed camera were used to study laser energy deposition, thermal analysis of ADN-based liquid propellants and the flow field evolution process, respectively. Experimental results indicate that two important factors, laser energy deposition efficiency and heat release from energetic liquid propellants, obviously affect the ablation performance. The results showed that the best ablation effect of 0.4 mL ADN solution dissolved in 0.6 mL dye solution (40%-AAD) liquid propellant was obtained with the ADN liquid propellant content increasing in the combustion chamber. Furthermore, adding 2% ammonium perchlorate (AP) solid powder gave rise to variations in the ablation volume and energetic properties of propellants, which enhanced the propellant enthalpy variable and burn rate. Based on the AP optimized laser ablation, the optimal single-pulse impulse (I)~9.8 μN·s, specific impulse (I_sp)~234.9 s, impulse coupling coefficient (C_m)~62.43 dyne/W and energy factor (η)~71.2% were obtained in 200 µm scale combustion chamber. This work would enable further improvements in the small volume and high integration of liquid propellant laser micro-thruster.

Laser ablation propulsion based on liquid propellants is a type of propulsion technology with a high specific impulse and good controllability that can be applied to space thrusters, gas metal arc welding, and extreme ultraviolet light. However, its basic mechanisms, such as flow evolution and thrust formation, have not yet been described in detail. In this study, the laser ablation of micro-scale fluid in the atmosphere was investigated. Flow evolution with different laser energy and fluid mass was observed using a schlieren system. According to the characteristic of flow evolution, a theoretical model of laser ablation propulsion in the atmosphere was established. For the first time, a theoretical hypothesis was proposed that the laser energy is divided into two parts, which act on fluid and air respectively. The model indicates that the impulses generated by fluids and air follow power laws with the laser energy, while the exponentials are 0.5 and 1, respectively. In the atmosphere, due to the shielding effect of a laser-maintained detonation wave on laser, the energy absorbed by the fluid is basically unchanged, while only the energy absorbed by the air changes. Significantly, the theoretical model is consistent with the impulse experiment and current studies.

As a new type of green propellant, ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based energetic propellants have wide application value and development potential in the field of space propulsion. This paper delves into the intricate impact of varying initial temperatures, pressures, and propellant component ratios on critical parameters, including temperature, combustion rate, and heat release, in the straight nozzle of an ADN-based propellant. The findings indicate that an elevation in both initial temperature and ADN ratio expedites the thermal decomposition rate of ADN, thereby elevating the average temperature in the nozzle. However, the elevation in initial temperature has a negative effect on the overall rise amplitude of average temperature. Furthermore, the initial pressure setting is crucial in determining whether the oxidation reaction of the fuel CH₃OH occurs in ADN propellants. When the initial pressure is greater than 10 atm, CH₃OH is completely consumed, and the final average temperature is about 2650 K, which increases by 558.89% compared with that at 1 atm. Our work aims to provide theoretical guidance and practical optimization strategies for enhancing propellant performance and optimizing thruster structure design.

The vigorous development of micro–nano satellites urgently requires satellite-borne propulsion systems as support. Pulsed laser ablation micro-propulsion can meet these high demands. Ammonium dinitramide (ADN), as a green monopropellant, can serve as the working substance for laser ablation. This work investigated the micro-propulsion performance of liquid propellants composed of ADN and water with different ADN mass fractions, aiming to clarify the enhancement effect of chemical energy. Through the single-pulse impulse measurement, the results show that the 70 wt.% ADN had a maximum specific impulse of 167.55 s, a 19% increase compared to H₂O. The established semi-empirical model of the micro-propulsion performance fits well with the experimental data and can effectively explain the variations in the patterns of the propulsion’s parameters. The chemical energy’s actual rate of contribution to the increase in the kinetic energy was positively correlated with the ADN’s mass fraction and negatively correlated with the laser energy, with an actual contribution rate of 36% for 70 wt.% ADN at a laser energy of 60 mJ. Furthermore, based on the relationship between the ablation efficiency, chemical-specific energy, and laser specific energy, it was found that the ablation efficiency can be improved by increasing the chemical specific energy and reducing the laser specific energy while ensuring the breakdown. This work provides a scientific approach to quantitatively analyze the enhancement in the propulsion’s performance by chemical energy in laser micro-ablation, which is expected to be extended to other energetic liquid propellants.