Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)
Key technology:
Laser ignition technology
Company summary:
Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is Austria’s top research center for electronic based systems (EBS), which are the technological backbone of digitization. In Graz, Villach and Linz, SAL develops future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility and safety โ from chip to intelligent system. SAL works together with companies of different sizes and branches and offers industry-oriented research, a well-equipped research infrastructure and customized opportunities for cooperation. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is shaping the high-tech locations Austria and Europe to “unfold the future”.
Technology/expertise for ENLIGHTEN project:
The space sector is currently faced with growing competition and technological disruption. To preserve independent access to space for Europe, it is vital to support the development of European space launch vehicles. In the framework of ENLIGHTEN, the goal is to improve the competitiveness of the European engine by preparing a demonstrator of an environmentally friendly high-performance engine based on liquid hydrogen.
Within this project SAL aims to develop a solution for fiber optical multiplexing of the proven laser ignition technology, thus enabling a reduction of the igniter cost per engine for multi-engine (i.e. thrust chamber and gas generator) or facilitate reusable engine applications.
The principle relies on the use of a single laser source and electronic bay, distributed to multiple ignition points by division of laser signal using optical multiplexing and subsequent coupling into optical fibres. The complexity of the system lies on the one hand in the high peak power of the laser pulses required for ignition near the damage threshold of the components necessary for optical distribution and secondly in the required operation of the system under the harsh engine environmental conditions. Activities will focus on multiplexing system design, prototype production and testing on a representative engine setup to reach TRL 5.
We are proud to participate in such a great European project as an Austrian research company because we believe in cooperations beyond our national borders. Within the ENLIGHTEN project, SAL can especially contribute with its long-standing expertise in the field of laser ignition technology. We are excited to see our technology go to space.
