The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is significantly improving its current plasma research and education program through procurement of a characterization and testing system centered around a thermal-vacuum chamber. Through the Space Systems and Engineering Laboratory (SSEL) and the Naval Academy Small Satellite Program (NASSP), USNA actively participates in space electric propulsion research. This plasma characterization and testing system will be used to (i) conduct advanced space plasma propulsion research and (ii) provide hands-on education to the students participating in CubeSat-scale research projects.
The objective of the acquisition of a diode laser system is to provide a complete system for the pump laser for the LIF technique. The system shall consist of
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- two individual laser heads, each equipped with a diode laser,
- two optical isolators, and
- a laser controller.
