Shock-tube driven pulsed CO2/Ar 18.4 micron gasdynamic laser

The possibility of lasing with a 18.4 micron model gas dynamic laser is investigated. A numerical code developed for a unidimensional model for gasdynamic parameter calculation is used to compare 9.4 micron band absorption coefficient measurements and static gas mixture temperatures with theoretical estimates. Agreement is fairly good, especially at lower rotational numbers. For a nozzle having a 33 deg divergence angle, static temperatures are higher than for the 60 deg nozzle but might not ensure the 18.4 micron laser field generation, while for the 60 deg nozzle the lasing should be more easily achieved.