A Particle System Approach To Designing A Stable Lab-Scale Lightsail

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

M.J. Kalsbeek Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

R.A. Norte QN/Groeblacher Lab - (mentor)

L. Norder Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (mentor)

Matthijs Langelaar Computational Design and Mechanics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (coach)

R. Schmehl Wind Energy - Aerospace Engineering (coach)

Faculty

Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

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Published Date

26-06-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a lab-scale silicon nitride photonic crystal lightsail, demonstrating the LightSailSim software package. LightSailSim, an open-source analysis pipeline, integrates a custom mechanical solver based on a particle system model with optical simulation results. The resulting design balances dynamic and structural stability with propulsive performance. It consists of an optimised photonic crystal that provides a suitable trade-off between stability and propulsive force. The sail is suspended at its edges by a circular ring made of silicon, providing sufficient boundary tension to prevent sail deformation-induced instability. The design is made such that it can be produced from a single silicon wafer and levitated using a single 400 W laser.

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