MD2 - A high-pressure pulsed CO2chemical transfer laser

The exothermic chain reactions between deuterium and fluorine were used to produce strong laser emission from carbon dioxide in a high-pressure pulsed transfer laser. The chemical chain reaction was initiated by flash photolysis of the reactive components. The active constituents were diluted in helium and premixed at temperatures of approximately -65°C to improve stability of the mixture. Peak-power outputs of 200 kW in pulses having duration of 30 μs have been observed in dilute mixtures at total pressures of one atmosphere. Energy outputs of up to 5 J, small signal-gain coefficients of 3 m^-1and a chemical efficiency of 3 percent based on total gas volume have been obtained in this system. The output power, laser pulse duration, and delay are strongly dependent on partial pressures of the diluents and degree of refrigeration of the mixture. A kinetic model of the system has provided values for the gain coefficient, pulse duration, time of maximum gain, and power output in good agreement with the experiment.