Optical gain measurements and development studies of visible chemical laser systems

Chemiluminescence spectra and laser cavity gain measurements have been made on chemical reactions thought to have promise for visible lasing. A shock tunnel apparatus capable of producing hot flows for periods of milliseconds was used for the experiments. Group II metals (magnesium, strontium and calcium) reacted with carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide resulted in bright band chemiluminescence, and low excited state yields. The low yields appear to be due to electronic state quenching. A new ultraviolet band of MgO was observed. Magnesium-Fluorine reactions repeated the previously observed abnormal population distributions, but no significant laser gain was observed. Xenon excimer radiation resulting from chemical reaction was observed to be very bright, and possible laser gain was implied by the relative intensities of the output light polarized normal and parallel to the Brewster window axes. Diatomic excited sulfur B-X radiation from chemical reactions was observed in detail, but no gain was observed.