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Description
This study explores meteorite ablation using a free-piston driven expansion tube and a CW 4 kW fiber laser. Meteors, which are dust and rocks from comets or asteroids entering the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds (11.2 km/s to 72.8 km/s), emit light due to atmospheric compression and heating, occurring at altitudes of 80 km to 120 km. Analyzing their emission spectra can reveal their elemental composition. Ground-based experiments are necessary due to the unpredictable nature of meteors.
Previous simulations used arc-heated and plasma wind tunnels and laser ablation. This study combines an expansion tunnel with a fiber laser to more accurately replicate reentry flow. Basalt, similar to meteorites, was used in experiments with flow speeds up to 8 km/s. Spectral analysis identified strong sodium lines and other elements like magnesium, calcium, chromium, iron, and potassium. This new approach enhances the study of meteorite flight conditions.
Summary
This study successfully replicated meteorite ablation using a free-piston driven expansion tube and a CW 4 kW fiber laser, identifying key spectral lines of elements such as sodium and magnesium.
