De-Icing Using Lasers

• Main Authors: Lane,Jean W., Marshall,Stephen J.
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER N H
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1976
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Lasers and Masers; Structural Engineering and Building Technology; *LASERS; *DEICING SYSTEMS; OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; RADIATION; LABORATORY TESTS; PERFORMANCE TESTS; INTERFACES; ASPHALT; CONCRETE; STEEL; FRACTURE(MECHANICS); INFRARED LASERS; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; ALUMINUM; HEATING; CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS; NEODYMIUM LASERS; RUBY LASERS; BRASS; Neodymium glass lasers; Visible lasers; Laser heating; Building stones; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA026637; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA026637

The feasibility of employing a laser to de-ice remote surfaces was investigated. A Nd:Glass laser, wavelength 1.06 micrometers, and a Ruby laser, wavelength 6943 A were used to irradiate ice grown upon six types of substrates -- asphalt, brass, concrete, aluminum, steel, and stone. It was found that a single pulse, delivered to the interface between the ice and its substrate at a power density of 10 to the 8th power to 10 to the 9th power watts/sq cm, produced fractures 0.1 to 2 cm in diameter for all substrates. If the initial fracture could be propagated by suitable scanning of the optical beam over the interface, the ice could be disrupted and thus removed from the substrate. The technique could also be a useful adjunct to de-icing methods that depend upon the existence of an initial crack. The process of producing the initial fracture was found to be limited by the thickness of the ice, the bubble content of the ice, and the focusing system.