Laser engine based on the resonance merging of shock waves

A new approach to the development of a laser jet engine (LJE) is considered which is based on the resonance merging of shock waves generated by an optical pulsed discharge (OPD). The OPD can be produced by using high-power 150-250-ns, 20-200-J laser pulses with a pulse repetition rate of 50-100 kHz. The OPD is formed with the help of a reflector array. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency of utilising laser radiation by a few times, to avoid strong shock loads in the LJE, to eliminate the thermal action of a laser plasma on a reflector, and to reduce the screening of laser radiation by the plasma. The possible thrust of the LJE based on this mechanism is estimated. (special issue devoted to the 90th anniversary of a.m. prokhorov)