Fundamental Mechanisms of Nonequilibrium MHD Lasing Phenomena.
Abstract
The fundamental mechanisms of lasing phenomena in MHD lasers are being studied by a combination of numerical modeling and a pulsed experimental simulation of the MHD flow laser. The numerical model includes all phenomena known to be of importance in nonequilibrium MHD plasmas, as well as the molecular kinetics of CO2 excitation and lasing. The kinetics of growth of ionization and of electrothermal instabilities are treated in detail. Except for the magnetic field, which is low by a factor of 4, these conditions are appropriate for MHD laser operation. The high magnetic field required for UxB induced lasing should not reduce the gain and probably and probably will increase it for a given current density. It is concluded that plasma conditions suitable for MHD laser operation have been achieved in the pulsed simulation. The numerical modeling indicates that these conditions can be reached in an MHD flow laser. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA049509
Entities
People
- Jack L. Kerrebrock
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology