Laser Propulsion - quo vadis

Kurzfassung

First, an overview of laser propulsion activities in Europe, and in particular in France, Germany and Russia will be given. In addition, laser facilities available for basic experiments will be reviewed. Subsequently, high power laser sources will be addressed with special emphasis on the latest developments. The performance of chemical lasers and the future potential of solid state lasers (including the thin-disk laser) and fiber lasers as well as their coupling techniques will be presented. Special attention will also be devoted to the impact of emerging ultra-short pulse lasers on the coupling coefficient and specific impulse. A tentative evaluation will be given of the race to high brightness sources. Finally, some non technical issues will be raised aimed at the future prospects of laser propulsion in the international community.