High-performance DF-CO2 chain-reaction laser
Abstract
Performance of a pulsed DF-CO2, transfer laser was investigated for the case of transverse initiation by a magnetically confined electron beam. Laser output is presented as a function of e-beam charge fluence, 02 concentration, F2 concentration, diluent gas, and total mixture pressure. The experimental data are compared with the predictions of a comprehensive rotational-nonequilibrium DF-CO2 laser model. Experimental results include a 41 J/1 CO2 output at 800 torr cavity pressure and the potential for system electrical efficiency in excess of 100% when the dimension along the axis of e-beam propagation is made comparable to the range of the electron beam. The DF-CO2 laser performance is found to be comparable to that of a DF chain laser using mixtures of comparable chemical energy content.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- February 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983STIN...8328433A
- Keywords:
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- Chemical Lasers;
- Deuterium Fluorides;
- Gas Lasers;
- Laser Windows;
- Pulsed Lasers;
- Scaling Laws;
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Electron Beams;
- Excitation;
- Output;
- Oxygen;
- Zinc Selenides;
- Lasers and Masers