Pulsed electron-beam-initiated chemical laser operating on the H2/F2 chain reaction

Abstract

Pulsed HF and DF chemical lasing has been observed in SF₆:F₂:H₂ and SF₆:F₂:D₂ mixtures, respectively, using an electron beam to initiate the laser reactions. Maximum pulse energies of 50 J with peak output power of 50 MW and an electrical efficiency of 6% were obtained with a 4195‐cm³ active volume, a total pressure of 240 Torr, and gas component ratios SF₆:H₂:F₂ of 1.33:1.0:1.0. For an active volume of 236 cm³, a total pressure of 420 Torr, and SF₆:H₂:F₂ equal to 1.5:1.0:1.0, 11 J energy was obtained corresponding to an energy density of 80 J/l atm. For DF lasing from mixtures of SF₆, D₂, and F₂, the output energy is a factor of 2–3 smaller than for HF lasing from mixtures of SF₆, H₂, and F₂ with the same initial conditions.