  This paper presents a novel approach to launch single microparticles at high
velocities under low vacuum conditions. In an all-optical table-top method,
microparticles with sizes ranging from a few microns to tens of microns are
accelerated to supersonic velocities depending on the particle mass. The
acceleration is performed through a laser ablation process and the particles
are monitored in free space using an ultra-high-speed multi-frame camera with
nanosecond time resolution. Under low vacuum, we evaluate the current platform
performance by measuring particle velocities for a range of particle types and
sizes, and demonstrate blast wave suppression and drag reduction under vacuum.
Showing an impact on polyethylene, we demonstrate the capability of the
experimental setup to study materials behavior under high-velocity impact. The
present method is relevant to space applications, particularly to rendezvous
missions where velocities range from tens of m/s to a few km/s, as well as to a
wide range of terrestrial applications including impact bonding and
impact-induced erosion.
