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Multiscale Photonic Emissivity Engineering for Relativistic Lightsail Thermal Regulation.

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  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States.

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|January 11, 2022
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Summary

Breakthrough Starshot requires advanced thermal management for laser-accelerated lightsails. New nanophotonic reflectors made of molybdenum disulfide and silicon nitride enable efficient thermal control, reducing acceleration distance for relativistic probes.

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2D MaterialsInfraredLightsailMie ResonanceMolybdenum DisulfideNanophotonicsPhoton MomentumPhotonic Crystal ReflectorSilicon NitrideStarshot

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanophotonics
  • Astrophysics

Background:

  • Breakthrough Starshot Initiative proposes relativistic interstellar travel using laser-accelerated lightsails.
  • Effective thermal management is crucial for lightsail survival under intense laser power.
  • Current lightsail designs prioritize acceleration over thermal performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and analyze nanophotonic structures for effective thermal management in lightsail designs.
  • To investigate the relationship between thermal properties and acceleration performance.
  • To explore novel photonic structures for enhanced optical and thermal control.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of nanophotonic photonic crystal slab reflectors using 2H-phase molybdenum disulfide and crystalline silicon nitride.
  • Analysis of the thermal band extinction coefficient and its effect on lightsail temperature.
  • Modeling and characterization of multiscale photonic structures with Mie resonant geometries.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated nanophotonic reflectors with an inverse relationship between thermal extinction and maximum sail temperature.
  • Achieved a thermally endurable minimum acceleration distance of 23.3 Gm.
  • Showcased broadband emissivity enhancement and reduced acceleration distance using Mie resonant structures.

Conclusions:

  • Nanophotonic structures offer a viable solution for lightsail thermal management in relativistic propulsion.
  • Optimized thermal and optical responses can be achieved simultaneously in ultralight nanophotonic materials.
  • This research advances the feasibility of gram-scale probes for interstellar exploration.