Laser Mixing Processes
Abstract
The high energy laser was made possible by the application of high speed fluid flow to basic molecular processes. The flow is used to remove waste heat, to provide a high mass flow for compactness and a high total pressure for gas recovery, to enhance lasing through reduced cavity temperatures, and to drop the density and thus the flow uniformity necessary for beam quality. Further, it is the rapid expansion of the plenum gas that provides non-equilibrium energy for the gasdynamic laser (GDL), and provides fast mixing and upstream isolation for the chemical supersonic diffusion laser (SDL). Thus, the 20-50 kw/kgm/sec output of modern high energy lasers is integrally tied to the development of a new class of fluid flows involving non-equilibrium/reacting gases in a radiation-extraction cavity. High flow quality is essential if the laser beam is not to be degraded, and the wave systems, wakes, mixing layers, turbulence levels, and wall layers must be controlled. Consideration must be given to combustion processes in plenums and mixing layers, heat transfer in the expansion nozzles, aerodynamic beam-extraction windows, and downstream recovery of the working fluid to ambient conditions, in addition to the obvious concerns of efficiency and size. There are thus many reasons why laser possibilities are often paced by fluid dynamics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA209870
Entities
People
- David A. Russell
Organizations
- University of Washington