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Re: USING A ELECTROMAGNETIC BEAM TO PROPELL A STARSHIP
- To: KellySt@aol.com, kgstar@most.fw.hac.com, stevev@efn.org, jim@bogie2.bio.purdue.edu, zkulpa@zmit1.ippt.gov.pl, hous0042@maroon.tc.umn.edu, rddesign@wolfenet.com, David@InterWorld.com, lparker@destin.gulfnet.com, DotarSojat@aol.com, neill@foda.math.usu.edu, 101765.2200@compuserve.com, MLEN3097@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU
- Subject: Re: USING A ELECTROMAGNETIC BEAM TO PROPELL A STARSHIP
- From: T.L.G.vanderLinden@student.utwente.nl (Timothy van der Linden)
- Date: Thu, 06 Jun 1996 23:15:32 +0100
Reply to Kelly
>>Oh wait, you are pointing at two things here:
>>maser: needs an extra step, easy to convert to electricity
>>laser: may not need an extra step, less easy to convert to electricity
>>Did I get it right?
>
>The sail system for a microwave beam sail is simpler and lighter than for a
>laser sail.
Yes, that would be a pro.
>Of course if your using my hybrid fuel/sail configuration you want a havyer
>sail... ;)
Laser forth and maser back?
>>It may become a technical difficulty if the shift becomes too large, then
>>the reflectivity (and absorption) may change for the worse. While it may not
>>matter much that some energy is lost, it may matter that a small part (even
>><0.001%) of high intensity radiation enters the crew space filled with
>>sensitive computers etc.
>
>Given the power levels were tossing about a .001% absorbtion would melt the
>ship.
That's exactly what I mean. It is very well possible to make something
almost 100% reflective for one wavelength, but the better for one, the worse
for different wavelengths.
>Did you mean to say return masers? Obviously the 2 year pulse bit works
>outgoing, but not incoming, ships.
Incoming ships need less energy than outgoing ships (because of blueshift),
does it really matter how long the beam is on?
Timothy
=============================================================================
Subject: Re: Engine (EM radiation) problems
Reply to Kelly
>>One thing that I'm worried about is the question of how much EM-radiation
>>would be formed during the reaction, I know you said none, but any collision
>>of particles (or acceleration, or deceleration of charged particles) would
>>create EM-radiation. Since it will not be easy to deflect this radiation, we
>>need a solution for it.
>
>I worry about EM and secoundary reactions in the plasma. We are after all
>talking about hellish amounts of power. Even small percentages could
>incinerate the engine and ship. (Even a mile of Lithium might not protect
>the crew.)
OK, then we're back on one line...
Kelly