Light amplification by S2 molecules in the visible spectrum under supersonic cooling of a sulfur-containing gas mixture

The light gain due to S2 molecules in a supersonically cooled gas mixture is calculated. The S2 molecules formed due to the recombination of the sulfur atoms, and the combustion gas mixture was preheated in a precombustion chamber. Optimal gas flow and nozzle parameters are found which correspond to the highest possible light gain using Cs2-Ar and S2-Ar gas mixtures. The steady state gas flow in the nozzle was calculated, taking into account the chemical reactions in the one-dimensional approximation. It is shown that the maximum gain values vary in the 0.0001-0.002 range for gas pressures in the precombustion chamber in the range 10-100 atm. The optimal initial relative concentration of Cs2 molecules and S2 molecules are given.