HF Chemical Laser Studies: Use of MoF6 to Increase Reaction Rates in H2–F2 Mixtures

Abstract

Addition of small amounts of MoF₆ to the H₂–F₂ chain reaction system initiated by flash photolysis results in considerable enhancement of HF laser output power and energy with a reduction in pulse duration. Power and energy outputs up to 12 kW and 3.3 mJ/cm³, respectively, have been obtained from dilute mixtures at 600 Torr (H₂:F₂:MoF₆:He=1:1:0.25:40) in a small scale apparatus (20 cm³). Chemical efficiencies of stoichiometric H₂–F₂ mixtures were increased from 0.2 to 0.8% by this technique. Computer calculations of reaction times, rates, and concentrations are in good qualitative agreement with the observed enhancement effect of MoF₆ on the HF chain reaction chemical laser.