The Physics of Light Propulsion :: Physics Science Technology Essays

The Physics of agility Propulsion Imagine a mode of transportation which allows a deal to ride upon a beam of light. This craft uses virtually no fuel, entirely the air around us. The uses for such a craft would be endless, launching small satellites into orbit and in the future launching vessels much alike todays shuttles. This idea is no longer a overlap of science fiction however rather a reality. It is all do possible by the physics which controls everything in our everyday lives.There ar two main components to this light propelled craft. The light source is a preciseness high-powered optical maser beam. The craft is a large, highly polished parabolical mirror that is designed to capture the optical maser beam. With the laser in a fixed position on the ground the mirror focuses the beam, rapidly heating the air, creating a wave of heated air out the back. This forces the vehicle in the opposite direction. As the beam is rapidly pulsed, the vehicle is continuousl y propelled forward.The laser pointer which many people now carry around on key chains was not thought as such a trivial toy or gadget ten years ago. The laser technology itself is a very complicated endeavor. The simple circuitry has evolved from years of last to make the theory behind the amplification of light possible.Light elaborateness by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation or LASER, is best dumb by beginning at the fractionic level where the basis of an atom and its energy levels can be identified. In even the most staple fiber chemistry class the atomic structure is one of the first lessons which is taught. The broadside shells of an atom are placed around the nucleus with the electrons placed on these levels. Two in the first layer, eight in the next go along on to the appropriate number.These shells are formed because electrons are limited to a series of fixed values, this is an example of quantization1. The law of conservation of energy is apply in that an electr on may fall to a lower shell, but in doing this it must give up an amount of energy gibe to the difference between the two levels. This energy is given up as light. Light is also considered to be quantized. It can be represented as groups of photons. Each photon carries one quantum of light energy. The amount of energy in a quantum depends on the wavelength of the light or the frequency.