CO2 Optical Gain in Gas Dynamic Lasers Using CO2/N2/H2O/CO/H2 Mixtures.

Abstract

The use of CO rather than N2 as the vibrational energy storage molecule in CO2 gas dynamic lasers is investigated. Measurements of optical gain are made in gas mixtures containing CO2, N2, H2O, CO, and H2 at chamber pressures from 10 to 40 atm and chamber temperatures from 1400 to 1800 K. A two-dimensional, 1-mm throat, area ratio 20 rapid expansion nozzle is used. Single-pass optical gain measurements are made over a 30-cm optical path to an accuracy of 0.03/m at distances of 5 cm and 15 cm downstream of the nozzle throat. The results, when compared with analytical predictions, verify the prediction techniques and the available vibrational relaxation rate data. It is found that H2 is significant in causing collisional decay of the lower laser level (100) of CO2 and contributes to the loss of N2 and CO vibrational energy. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0901582

Entities

People

  • A. Pindroh
  • J. Newton
  • S. Byron

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Gas Dynamic Lasers
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Molecules
  • Storage
  • Two Dimensional
  • Vibrational Relaxation

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers