Numerical simulation of molecular motion around laser microengine blades Original Research Article

Gas molecular motions around a laser opto-microengine are numerically simulated by direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. We propose an opto-microengine that acts as a micro-actuator in which optical energy is supplied by a laser beam. The opto-microengine is rotated by molecular gas dynamics effects. The effects of the molecular weights of gases on laser opto-microengine performance are revealed by experiments. Helium, argon and xenon gases are used as environmental gases for operation of the opto-microengine. The numerical results show that pressure differences between front and back surfaces of the rotor blade depend on the molecular weights of the gases and accommodation coefficients.