3 - 5 Micron Chemical Laser.
Abstract
A cw, combustion-driven DF chemical laser has been operated utilizing both the F/D2 and F/DBr chemical pumping reactions. Using identical hardware in a 3-cm, single-path-gain-length cavity with entrainment shields, both reactions yielded similar power outputs of approximately 8 watts for nominal flow conditions. When the entrainment shields were removed, the F/D2 laser produced a maximum of 38 watts of increased flow rates, and an outcoupled power of 35 watts was obtained when operating without diluent. An efficiency of 280 joules/gram fluorine atoms has been obtained in the F/D2 laser and 350 j/g F was observed in a F/H2 laser operating at a multiline, outcoupled power of 48 watts. High level DF-pumping from the F/DBr reaction has been successfully demonstrated extending the DF-lasing wavelength coverage up to 4.13 microns associated with the P10-line of the 4 yields 3 transition. Detailed measurements of laser precombustor characteristics have yielded conclusive evidence of effective, non-equilbrium fluorine dissociated processes involving chain branching following the scheme HF + F2 yields HF + F + F. Research of laser cavity characteristics has resulted in a complete description of the effects of the cavity reaction on bulk characteristics, pressure, temperature, Mach number, flow velocity and nonequilibrium excitation. An important conclusion from this data has been that in this laser, very efficient cavity fuel/oxidizer mixing is achieved and, consequently, cavity reactions are completed within 1 cm downstream from the fuel injection plane. This corresponds to a reaction time of approximately 10 microns. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0910511
Entities
People
- Frithjof N. Mastrup
- Gerald W. Holleman
- Henry M. Bobitch
Organizations
- TRW Inc.