Richard Raspet
Bruce Denardo
James Brewster
John Kordomenos
Dept. of Phys. and Astron., Univ. of Mississippi, University, MS 38677
High-power drives for thermoacoustic refrigerators are being investigated by several groups. Theoretical calculations have been performed of the feasibility of parametrically driving a longitudinal resonance tube by modulating the temperature with a high-power laser. Parametric drives are promising since the drive mechanism is distributed over the entire volume of gas and because the response may become large before saturation occurs. Although it is demonstrated that laser drive is not attractive as a practical means of high-power drive for longitudinal resonators, much interesting physics has been considered in the analysis of the proposed system and will be discussed. [Work supported by ONR.]