Direct laser ice penetration system
US9963939B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/38875
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optically powered system for rapid, focused heating and melting of water ice. The optical wavelength is chosen to fall in a range where transmissivity through liquid water is higher than through ice. An alternative embodiment of the invention further comprises a length of fiber optic tether between source and output to allow for motion of the melt head. A further embodiment includes probing the ice using various sensing modalities exploiting the presence of the fiber in the ice, searching for biomarkers and characterizing the radiation/light environment for subsurface habitability, including photosynthetic potential and radiation environment as a source for energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.