Plasma Shield for Directed-Energy Defense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directed-energy systems pose a threat as they can damage targets with focused electromagnetic radiation, and existing countermeasures are inadequate in effectively mitigating this threat.
Innovation Solution
A laser defense system generates a plasma shield between the target and the directed-energy source using a pulsed laser source and optical control system, which divides the plasma shield region into sub-portions and rasterizes the laser pulses to maintain a continuous plasma barrier, absorbing and deflecting electromagnetic radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a plasma shield is generated to block directed-energy radiation, then the target is protected from damage, but the system complexity increases due to the need for pulsed laser sources and optical control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces plasma as an intermediary substance between the directed-energy source and the target. The plasma shield acts as a mediator that absorbs and deflects the harmful electromagnetic radiation, preventing it from reaching the target. This resolves the contradiction by providing effective protection through a natural physical barrier rather than complex engineered shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the state of the atmosphere by creating plasma through high-power laser pulses. By transforming the atmospheric gas into plasma state temporarily, the system creates a protective barrier with different electromagnetic properties. This parameter change approach allows protection without adding permanent complex shielding structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the plasma shield region is divided into multiple sub-portions and rastered sequentially, then the plasma density can be maintained continuously, but the time required to cover the entire region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic laser pulsing to maintain plasma in different sub-portions of the shield region. By rapidly switching between sub-portions in a raster pattern with pulsed laser shots, the system creates a continuously maintained plasma barrier. The periodic regeneration of plasma in each sub-portion ensures overall continuity despite sequential processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma shield region is divided into multiple sub-portions that can be addressed independently. This segmentation allows the laser system to focus energy on specific regions sequentially, maintaining plasma density in each sub-portion without requiring the entire region to be covered simultaneously, thus reducing total time while maintaining continuity.
3Reliability
If the laser source emits signals before detecting the directed-energy radiation, then the plasma shield is ready to protect the target, but energy is wasted when no threat is present
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using sensors to identify the presence of directed-energy radiation before activating the laser source. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for potential threats without continuously operating the high-power laser, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from detection sensors to control laser activation. When sensors detect directed-energy radiation, the feedback signal triggers the laser source to emit pulses and create the plasma shield. This feedback mechanism ensures the plasma shield is generated only when needed, eliminating wasted energy while maintaining protective readiness through continuous monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The plasma shield effectively blocks electromagnetic radiation, preventing damage to the target by absorbing and maintaining the plasma density dynamically, even if the directed-energy source increases its energy output.
Implementation Method 1
generating a plasma field to counter a directed-energy source... generate a plasma shield in a defined plasma shield region... plasma in a defined plasma shield region
Implementation Method 2
protect the target structure from energy emitted by the direct-energy source... absorbing and deflecting electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A laser defense system may be used to generate a plasma shield for protecting a structure against a directed-energy source. The laser defense system may include a short pulsed laser which generates plasma in a plasma shield region between the structure and the directed-energy source. Because plasma is opaque to electromagnetic radiation, the laser signal emitted by the directed-energy source is absorbed by the plasma shield rather than striking the structure.