Comparative Performance of Chemical Lasers with Axisymmetric and Two-Dimensional Nozzles
Abstract
Saturated output power from cold-reaction cw HF/DF diffusion-type chemical lasers in which axisymmetric or two-dimensional oxidizer nozzles are used is compared for the case where the pumping reaction is fast compared with collisional deactivation. For typical HF laser flow conditions and pw > 5 Torr cm, the axisymmetric nozzle has an output power twice that of a two-dimensional nozzle with the same exit flow, exit pressure p, and exit semiwidth w. In this pw regime, however, the chemical efficiency of the axisymmetric nozzle is 20%, or less, that of a premixed (pw = 0) laser. For pw = 1 Torr cm, the axisymmetric nozzle has about 30% greater output than the corresponding two-dimensional nozzle and a chemical efficiency equal to about 60% that of a premixed laser. For pw < 0.5 Torr cm, both nozzles have essentially premixed laser performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 27, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA030933
Entities
People
- Harold Mirels
- Walter R. Warren Jr.
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation