Device for high-energy laser irradiation and protection of semi-physical simulation platform

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of laser devices, and discloses a device for high-energy laser irradiation and protection of a semi-physical simulation platform. The device comprises high-power continuous laser, a beam expanding system, a beam splitter, a reflector, a power meter, a sliding rail reflector, a dust collector, an optical platform, a vacuum cavity, a low-temperature sample table, a low-temperature refrigerating system, an infrared imager, a high-speed camera, an electric signal detector and a visual control program. Wherein the 1-micron high-power continuous laser and the beam expanding system form a collimated light spot adjustable laser emission system, the beam splitter, the reflector, the power meter, the sliding rail reflector, the dust collector and the optical platform form a laser transmission system, and the vacuum cavity, the low-temperature sample table and the low-temperature refrigerating system form a simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system. The infrared imager, the high-speed camera, the electric signal detector and the visual control program form a visual control and test system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser device technology, specifically to the field of high-energy laser irradiation and protection device technology, and particularly to the device design of a high-energy laser irradiation and protection semi-physical simulation platform. Background Technology

[0002] High-energy transmission and irradiation mechanisms are core fundamental issues in directed energy equipment and spacecraft on-orbit defense technologies. The efficient emission, combined irradiation, and transmission efficiency of directed energy directly affect the interaction between energy and matter. Integrated wireless transmission of energy and information will simplify energy transmission methods for launch vehicles / platforms, significantly reduce resource consumption, further increase transmission radius, and improve equipment efficiency. Research on high-energy transmission and irradiation mechanisms, represented by focused beam emission, high-energy laser irradiation, and efficient laser protection, will provide technical support for enriching the application styles of space equipment and improving spacecraft protection and on-orbit survivability.

[0003] While there is considerable research on the effects of laser irradiation on various materials and devices under simulated atmospheric conditions, with significant progress in both experimental results and theoretical analysis, analysis of laser irradiation on space-use materials and spacecraft devices under simulated vacuum conditions is relatively limited. This is because devices capable of simulating both atmospheric and low-temperature vacuum environments for high-power laser irradiation and protection are virtually nonexistent. Furthermore, the increasing maturity of ultrashort pulse lasers, particularly high-average-power and high-peak-value femtosecond lasers, warrants further investigation into the physical mechanisms of interaction between ultrashort pulse lasers and aerospace materials and devices under vacuum conditions, including absorption mechanisms, ionization mechanisms, charge transfer, carrier transport, and thermal effects. Therefore, establishing a semi-physical simulation platform for high-energy laser irradiation and protection can further broaden research on laser irradiation and protection of typical aerospace materials and devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a device for a high-energy laser irradiation and protection semi-physical simulation platform, which can realize high-energy laser irradiation and protection experimental research in atmospheric environment and high-energy laser irradiation and protection experimental research in simulated low-temperature vacuum environment, supporting future research on laser irradiation and protection of aerospace materials and devices.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a device for a high-energy laser irradiation and protection hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform, comprising a continuous laser emission system, a laser transmission system, a simulated cryogenic vacuum environment system, and a visualization control and testing system, wherein:

[0006] The continuous laser emission system includes a laser and a beam expander system; the laser is used to generate a fiber continuous laser with adjustable power; the beam expander system is used to collimate and expand the laser output from the laser to the required spot size;

[0007] The laser transmission system includes a beam splitter, a reflector, a power meter, a sliding rail reflector, and a trash can;

[0008] The beam splitter is used to reflect and transmit the expanded laser beam proportionally. The transmitted light is recorded by a power meter, and the emitted light is transmitted to the sliding reflector through the reflector. The sliding reflector is used to switch the reflected light path to the atmospheric test platform or the simulated low temperature vacuum environment system according to the specific test. The trash can is used to block the laser from escaping from the simulation platform.

[0009] The visualization control and testing system infers the actual output power of the laser based on the optical power recorded by the power meter, and adjusts it according to the actual output power and the theoretical output power to control the target power density to reach the power density required for the test.

[0010] The visualization control and testing system also controls the simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system to achieve the space vacuum environment and the temperature required for the test, according to the specific requirements of the low-temperature vacuum test.

[0011] Preferably, the simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system includes a vacuum chamber, a low-temperature sample stage, and a low-temperature refrigeration system;

[0012] The vacuum chamber is used to simulate a space vacuum environment and provides an expandable module interface. The low-temperature sample stage is used to hold the sample and contact the sample to achieve stable temperature control. The low-temperature refrigeration system is used to store and transport the refrigeration medium to the low-temperature sample stage to achieve precise temperature control of the sample.

[0013] Preferably, the low-temperature sample stage is a square copper block with concentric circular pipes inside, which are connected to the low-temperature refrigeration system. Thermocouples are evenly distributed around the four sides of the mounting back of the low-temperature sample stage. Precise temperature control of the sample is achieved through the combined control of the thermocouples and the low-temperature refrigeration system. The low-temperature sample stage has a central hole, and the sample is fixed on the low-temperature sample stage and covers the central hole. The low-temperature sample stage is installed in the vacuum chamber via an electric platform, and the plane on which the sample is mounted is perpendicular to the laser incident direction. A laser emission window is provided on the vacuum chamber. During the experiment, the laser that penetrates the sample is led out from the emission window to a trash can outside the vacuum chamber through the central hole or a reflector installed in the vacuum chamber.

[0014] Preferably, before the test, no sample is placed on the low-temperature sample stage, weak test light is introduced into the vacuum cavity, the angle of the emitting mirror is adjusted to ensure that the emitted light can enter the emission window, and the pre-test calibration is completed.

[0015] Preferably, the diameter of the central hole is larger than the required spot size.

[0016] Preferably, the vacuum chamber is provided with an incident flange window, multiple oblique incident flanges, an infrared transmission silicon glass flange window, a laser emission window, and an observation window; the laser enters the vacuum chamber through the incident flange window; the multiple oblique incident flanges are used to realize in-situ visible light imaging during irradiation; the infrared detector realizes in-situ temperature measurement through the infrared transmission silicon glass flange window; the laser that breaks down the sample during the experiment enters the trash can through the emission window; and a high-speed camera records the laser irradiation process of the sample through the observation window.

[0017] Preferably, the incident flange window is coated with an outer infrared coating to increase laser transmittance.

[0018] Preferably, the beam expanding system is directly coupled to the end of the optical fiber through an encapsulation design; it includes a short focal length lens and a telescope system; the end face of the optical fiber is placed at the focal point of the short focal length lens for collimating the light spot emitted from the end of the light; the telescope system includes a concave lens and a convex lens for expanding the collimated light spot.

[0019] Preferably, a telescope system with different focal length combinations can achieve four different light spot requirements with diameters of 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm. By adjusting the laser emission spot, the power density of different lasers to the target can be switched.

[0020] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0021] This application utilizes a high-power continuous laser emission system to generate high-power collimated lasers, a laser transmission system to enable dual-path switching between atmospheric and simulated vacuum cryogenic environments, a cryogenic vacuum environment system to simulate near-space and low-Earth orbit sample environments, and a visualization control and testing system to control multiple detection instruments and perform in-situ measurements of experimental data. This enables high-energy laser irradiation and protection experiments under atmospheric and simulated vacuum environments, providing support for future research on laser irradiation and protection of aerospace materials and devices.

[0022] The device of this invention can realize high-energy laser irradiation and protection experiments in atmospheric environment as well as high-energy laser irradiation and protection experiments in simulated low temperature vacuum environment. The device has diverse functions and strong reconfigurability, and has wide applications in laser irradiation, laser protection of devices and materials. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a device design drawing of a high-energy laser irradiation and protection semi-physical simulation platform according to the present invention;

[0024] Among them: 1-High-power laser, 2-Beam expander system, 3-Reflector, 4-Beam splitter, 5-Beam splitter, 6-Trash can, 7-Power meter, 8-Sliding rail reflector, 9-Vacuum cleaner, 10-Vacuum chamber, 11-Low-temperature sample stage, 12-Low-temperature refrigeration system, 13-Infrared imager, 14-High-speed camera, 15-Electrical signal detector, 16-Integrated computer. Detailed implementation method:

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] It should be noted that the terms "1", "2", etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0027] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0028] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] A hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform for high-energy laser irradiation and protection includes a high-power continuous laser emission system, a laser transmission system, a simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system, and a visualization control and testing system.

[0031] The system comprises: a high-power continuous laser emission system for generating a high-power collimated 1-micron laser, including a high-power laser and a beam expander; a laser transmission system for laser optical path transmission, including a beam splitter, a reflector, a power meter, a sliding reflector, a dust collector, and an optical platform; a simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system for ensuring the sample is in a low-temperature and vacuum environment, including a vacuum chamber, a low-temperature sample stage, and a low-temperature refrigeration system; and a visualization control and testing system for real-time visualization monitoring and control of in-situ measurement and acquisition of experimental data, including an infrared imager, a high-speed camera, an electrical signal detector, and an integrated computer. The infrared imager measures the sample surface temperature; the high-speed camera records the laser irradiation process; the electrical signal detector records and measures the sample's electrical signals; and the infrared imager measures the sample surface temperature.

[0032] The integrated computer is used for visual control, enabling the regulation of laser output power, the invocation and control of the low-temperature sample stage and low-temperature control system, and the invocation and data acquisition of thermal imagers, power measurement, high-speed cameras, and electrical signal acquisition devices.

[0033] The high-power laser is used to generate fiber continuous laser with a power of up to 6000W.

[0034] The aforementioned beam expanding system is used to collimate and expand a laser beam with a diameter of hundreds of micrometers output from the end of an optical fiber to a diameter of centimeters. Due to the diffraction effect, the beam emitted from the end of the optical fiber has a small diameter but a large divergence angle. A short focal length lens is used to place the end face of the optical fiber at its focal point to achieve initial collimation. Then, a telescope system composed of concave and convex lenses is used to expand the beam. Four different beam spot requirements of 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm are achieved by using telescope systems with different focal length combinations. By adjusting the laser emission beam spot, different laser power densities to the target can be switched. All beam expanding systems adopt a packaged design and can be directly coupled to the end of the optical fiber.

[0035] The aforementioned beam splitter is used to transmit and reflect the laser at a ratio of 1:9. By splitting the laser beam through multiple beam splitters, the laser power can be accurately measured using a low-range power meter. In conjunction with different collimation and beam expansion systems, the target power density can be accurately calculated.

[0036] The vacuum chamber is used to simulate the vacuum environment of near-space and near-Earth orbit, and provides an expandable module interface. A laser incident flange is designed with an infrared-coated window to increase laser transmittance by 1 micrometer and reduce the impact of laser backscattering on the device. The target chamber also features multiple 45° oblique incident Φ35 flanges, enabling in-situ visible light imaging during irradiation. A mid-infrared transmission silicon glass flange window is designed for the infrared detector to meet in-situ temperature measurement requirements. The low-temperature sample stage is mounted inside the vacuum chamber via an electric platform with the sample plane perpendicular to the laser incident direction. Depending on the experimental requirements, the relative position of the sample and the incident laser is adjusted via the electric platform, and the emitted laser light is reflected to the exit window on the vacuum chamber via a mirror inside the vacuum chamber. The position of the mirror inside the vacuum chamber needs to be calibrated before the experiment. Specifically, before the experiment, no sample is placed on the low-temperature sample stage; weak experimental light is introduced into the vacuum chamber, and the angle of the reflecting mirror is adjusted to ensure that the emitted light can enter the exit window, completing the pre-experiment calibration.

[0037] The aforementioned low-temperature sample stage is used to hold and contact the sample to achieve stable temperature control. The sample stage is a square copper block with a side length of 10 cm. The copper block contains concentric circular pipes, and liquid nitrogen circulates within the sealed pipes to cool the sample stage. Thermocouples are evenly arranged at the four corners of the square sample stage surface. A controller operates 50V 50W thermocouple heaters to achieve uniform heating of the sample. Simultaneously, a 5 cm diameter hole is designed in the center of the sample stage to facilitate the exit of the vacuum chamber from the central hole after laser irradiation penetrates the sample, preventing the accumulation of laser heat from damaging the sample stage.

[0038] The cryogenic refrigeration system is used to store and transport the refrigerant and to achieve precise temperature control of the sample. Through software programming, the software interface allows for automatic / manual mode switching, setting temperature adjustment, and adjustment of temperature PID parameters. The sample stage temperature control employs a PID algorithm, enabling precise control and sensitive response of the set temperature.

[0039] The sliding rail reflector is used to switch the reflected light path to the atmospheric test platform or the low-temperature vacuum system; the vacuum cleaner is used to collect the dust generated during the burning process.

[0040] Example

[0041] This example provides a hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform for high-energy laser irradiation and protection, comprising a high-power continuous laser emission system, a laser transmission system, a simulated cryogenic vacuum environment system, and a visualization control and testing system. Specifically: the high-power continuous laser emission system includes a 1-micron high-power continuous laser 1 and a beam expander system 2; the laser transmission system includes a reflector 3, beam splitters 4 and 5, a trash can 6, a power meter 7, a sliding reflector 8, and a vacuum cleaner 9; the simulated cryogenic vacuum environment system includes a vacuum chamber 10, a cryogenic sample stage 11, and a cryogenic refrigeration system 12; and the visualization control and testing system includes an infrared imager 13, a high-speed camera 14, an electrical signal detector 15, and an integrated computer 16.

[0042] Specifically, a high-power fiber laser 1 emits a high-power laser beam. After being collimated and expanded by a beam expander system 2, the laser beam is split into two beams by a first beam splitter 4. One beam is directly transmitted and then transmitted again by another beam splitter 5, finally entering a power meter 7 with a 150W threshold for measurement. The other beam is reflected at the first beam splitter and directed to an optical waste bin 6. If a reflector on the slide rail is moved into the optical path, this beam will first be reflected by the slide rail reflector 8, then by the last reflector, and finally enter the atmospheric experimental area, where a vacuum cleaner 9 collects the volatile products generated during the experiment. The design allows the position of the reflector on the slide rail to switch between vacuum and atmospheric conditions. When the slide rail reflector is moved into the optical path, atmospheric testing can be performed via reflections from both reflectors. When the sliding reflector moves out of the optical path, the laser directly enters the sample in the vacuum cavity 10. The sample is precisely temperature controlled by the low-temperature sample stage 11 and the low-temperature refrigeration system, so that the sample temperature can be continuously adjusted within the range of -100 to +100℃. The sample collects electrical performance signals through the electrical signal detector 15.

[0043] The integrated computer 16 integrates the measured data and operations through software integration, enabling functions such as controlling the laser power (percentage), displaying optical power, switching between red light and laser; displaying images (temperature), high and low temperature curves, outputting single photos, continuous photos, and storing videos on the infrared imager 13; and displaying images, setting frame rate, setting exposure time, and outputting photos and videos on the high-speed camera 14.

[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A device for a high-energy laser irradiation and protection semi-physical simulation platform, characterized in that, It includes a continuous laser emission system, a laser transmission system, a simulated cryogenic vacuum environment system, and a visualization control and testing system, among which: The continuous laser emission system includes a laser and a beam expander system; the laser is used to generate a fiber continuous laser with adjustable power; the beam expander system is used to collimate and expand the laser output from the laser to the required spot size; The laser transmission system includes a beam splitter, a reflector, a power meter, a sliding rail reflector, and a trash can; The beam splitter is used to reflect and transmit the expanded laser beam proportionally. The transmitted light is recorded by a power meter, and the emitted light is transmitted to the sliding reflector through the reflector. The sliding reflector is used to switch the reflected light path to the atmospheric test platform or the simulated low temperature vacuum environment system according to the specific test. The trash can is used to block the laser from escaping from the simulation platform. The visualization control and testing system infers the actual output power of the laser based on the optical power recorded by the power meter, and adjusts it according to the actual output power and the theoretical output power to control the target power density to reach the power density required for the test. The visualization control and testing system also controls the simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system to achieve the space vacuum environment and the temperature required for the test, according to the specific requirements of the low-temperature vacuum test.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The simulated low-temperature vacuum environment system includes a vacuum chamber, a low-temperature sample stage, and a low-temperature refrigeration system. The vacuum chamber is used to simulate a space vacuum environment and provides an expandable module interface. The low-temperature sample stage is used to hold the sample and contact the sample to achieve stable temperature control. The low-temperature refrigeration system is used to store and transport the refrigeration medium to the low-temperature sample stage to achieve precise temperature control of the sample.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The low-temperature sample stage is a square copper block with concentric circular pipes inside, which are connected to a low-temperature refrigeration system. Thermocouples are evenly distributed around the four sides of the mounting back of the low-temperature sample stage. Precise temperature control of the sample is achieved through the combined control of the thermocouples and the low-temperature refrigeration system. The low-temperature sample stage has a central hole, and the sample is fixed on the low-temperature sample stage and covers the central hole. The low-temperature sample stage is installed in a vacuum chamber via an electric platform, and the plane on which the sample is mounted is perpendicular to the laser incident direction. A laser emission window is provided on the vacuum chamber. During the experiment, the laser that penetrates the sample is led out from the emission window to a trash can outside the vacuum chamber through the central hole or a reflector installed in the vacuum chamber.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: Before the test, no sample is placed on the low-temperature sample stage. Weak test light is introduced into the vacuum cavity, and the angle of the emitting mirror is adjusted to ensure that the emitted light can enter the emission window, thus completing the pre-test calibration.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The diameter of the central hole is larger than the required spot size.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vacuum chamber is equipped with an incident flange window, multiple oblique incident flanges, an infrared transmission silicon glass flange window, a laser emission window, and an observation window. The laser enters the vacuum chamber through the incident flange window. The multiple oblique incident flanges are used to achieve in-situ visible light imaging during irradiation. The infrared detector achieves in-situ temperature measurement through the infrared transmission silicon glass flange window. The laser that breaks down the sample during the experiment enters the trash can through the emission window. A high-speed camera records the laser irradiation process of the sample through the observation window.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The incident flange window is coated with an outer infrared coating to increase laser transmittance.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam expansion system is directly coupled to the end of the optical fiber through an encapsulation design; it includes a short focal length lens and a telescope system; the end face of the optical fiber is placed at the focal point of the short focal length lens to collimate the light spot emitted from the end of the light; the telescope system includes a concave lens and a convex lens to expand the collimated light spot.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that: The telescope system with different focal length combinations achieves four different light spot requirements with diameters of 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm. By adjusting the laser emission spot, the power density of the laser to the target can be switched.

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