Choosing high-power laser in laser propulsion technology

Based on the requirement of laser propelling, this paper illuminates in how to choose the high power laser.The requirements on the laser are: (1) high average power and peak power; (2) high single-pulse energy; (3) high repetition frequency; (4) excellent transmitting property in atmosphere. The paper mainly analyzes the characteristics of YAG laser, free electron laser and TEA CO2 laser, compares their average power, peak power, high single-pulse energy, and transmitting property in atmosphere. The result shows nowadays, TEA CO2 laser is the most appropriate one at present to be used as the high power source in the field.It's power can reach 10kW level, single pulse energy can reach 0.5~1kJ, repetitive frequency is 20~40Hz, the laser wavelength lies in the atmospheric window, and it isn't