How Do You Model a Solar-Powered Space Laser System?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around modeling a solar-powered laser system that utilizes solar irradiation in space, amplifies it to a specific frequency (1064μm), and transmits it to Earth. Participants express challenges in understanding the necessary equations and concepts, and seek guidance on how to approach the modeling and simulation of such a system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses feeling overwhelmed by the equations related to modeling a solar pump in space and requests advice on where to start.
  • Another participant suggests that a photovoltaic (PV) method could be used to convert solar radiation into electrical energy to power a laser, noting the power requirements of a specific Nd:YAG laser.
  • A participant mentions a specialized field of study regarding space-based lasers and references a conference paper discussing the use of 40kW lasers for high power laser transfer, emphasizing the need for a large solar collector and fiber optics.
  • There is a request for links to relevant papers that could provide further insights into the equations and theories related to this topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the complexity of the topic and the need for specialized knowledge, but there is no consensus on the specific equations or modeling approaches to be used. Multiple perspectives on how to approach the problem are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the specialized nature of the field and the reliance on published articles for statistics and theoretical foundations. There is an acknowledgment of the need for further guidance and resources.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in space-based laser systems, solar energy conversion, and those seeking to understand the mathematical modeling of complex engineering systems.

astralfx
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Hello,

I need to figure out how to mathematically model via simulations a solar pump in space, or another type of laser that receives input from solar irradiation from the Sun. Amplifies it to the specified frequency i.e. 1064μm, and then transmits it to Earth.

The problem is I'm just overwhelmed with the equations out there, and I don't know how to start.

The book I took out from the library [Lalanne, J. Ducasse. & Kielich, S (1996). Laser molecule interaction. New York: Wiley] is so dense and heavy on the Mathematics, I'm just lost where to start.

Any advice and hints how to get started with figuring out what equations I need.

Thanks

P.s. I'm not sure if the topic goes here in EE or general physics
 
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astralfx said:
Hello,

I need to figure out how to mathematically model via simulations a solar pump in space, or another type of laser that receives input from solar irradiation from the Sun. Amplifies it to the specified frequency i.e. 1064μm, and then transmits it to Earth.

I cannot think of how it would be possible to receive solar radiation, amplify it, and re-emit it. There is a method to convert the sun's radiant energy to electrical energy, however. That is the photovoltaic (PV) method. Since existing lasers convert electrical energy to optical energy it seems obvious that a solar photovoltaic panel in space, sized appropriately, could power a laser that would transmit its optical energy to earth.

Just as an example, Here is a typical laser classified as Nd: YAG, emitting at a wavelength of 1064μm with average power output (>200Watts), the GYP200-01Y:

http://www.bestcetc.com/category/laser.html

The power consumption is rated at 4kWatts. So, in order to use this laser, you’d need a PV array that outputs at least four thousand watts.
 
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This field is specialist, only statistics you can find is in published article. It's not normal laser. There specialized for space based satellites, the one I have found from an IAC conference paper allows usage of 40kw lasers in a SPS which need to combined in a mother satellite for high power GW scale laser transfer.

And I stated it utilizes a solar pump which has a large km size solar collector in space, with attached fibre optic from each block of solar array to a center.

I need help on equations. The theory is sound, and my draft has been seen my supervisor. Either way I'm meeting with a PhD student in optics soon within the next 2-3 weeks, so if none of you can help me then it's okay.
 
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astralfx said:
This field is specialist, only statistics you can find is in published article. It's not normal laser. There specialized for space based satellites, the one I have found from an IAC conference paper allows usage of 40kw lasers in a SPS which need to combined in a mother satellite for high power GW scale laser transfer.

And I stated it utilizes a solar pump which has a large km size solar collector in space, with attached fibre optic from each block of solar array to a center.

I need help on equations. The theory is sound, and my draft has been seen my supervisor. Either way I'm meeting with a PhD student in optics soon within the next 2-3 weeks, so if none of you can help me then it's okay.

Can you post links to some of the papers that deal with this? Thanks.
 

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