An investigation of the gaseous character of the atmosphere at the high energy laser test facility HELSTF at the White Sands Missile range (WSMR)
Abstract
The results of the first phase of an investigation to determine the gaseous character of the atmosphere at several sites on the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) are reported. The object of the study is to attain an understanding of gaseous molecular content at WSMR as it will affect high energy laser (HEL) performance in tests planned for the near future. Hydrogen Fluoride (HF), Deuterium Fluoride (DF), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Carbon Dioxide (O2) HEL's have been included in the study. In this phase, current understanding of atmospheric natural and pollutant molecular absorption in the laser bands has been reviewed, gases requiring monitoring at the site have been identified, measurement techniques have been assessed for the several gases, and measurements procedures have been recommended. Measurements of the gaseous character at WSMR have been initiated, and this progress is described. The gases which require monitoring have been selected by a sensitivity study which includes investigation of the uncertainty in gas content at the WSMR sites and the importance of the presence of the gas to each potential HEL.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- May 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978STIN...7833429F
- Keywords:
-
- Gas Analysis;
- Lasers;
- Test Facilities;
- Deuterium;
- Fluorides;
- High Energy Interactions;
- Performance Tests;
- Lasers and Masers