Hello all! This is my first post here but I have been following LPP for quite a while. It’s great to think about what this technology could do for the world and for space exploration. It seems like an exciting time; with upcoming shots and the new beryllium electrodes hopefully we will see some increases in density soon. I’m surprised this forum isn’t a bit more active with the progress that’s been made.
I do not have a technical background, but have been poking around some journals and patents and have seen some interesting cathode and anode designs. This one looks particularly interesting:
https://www.google.com/patents/US3579028
It uses what appears to be a solid central electrode and a conical outer electrode. It also uses a gas injection device at the base. That seems interesting and perhaps could help with the possible boron plating between shots. I know the outer electrodes can’t be solid due to the need for the x-rays to get to the capture device.
Here is another patent that also uses a conical central electrode and uses crazy looking outer electrodes that transition into a helical structure:
https://www.google.com/patents/US7679025
As I said, I don’t have a technical background, perhaps these designs don’t really apply to what LPP is trying to do. I guess my broader question is if there has been any research that uses radical designs of the electrodes to promote filament formation or other desired attributes? Perhaps outer electrodes slanted in relation to the base to impart angular momentum? Or perhaps having the outer electrodes staggered in length?
P.S. Anyone know what’s going on in this patent?
https://www.google.com/patents/US4446096