Pulsed Hydrogen Fluoride Overtone Chemical Laser Studies
Abstract
An experimental study of HF chemical lasers operating on overtone transitions, OTs, in a photolytically initiated, pulsed laser facility was conducted. The primary objective was to obtain comparisons of the specific energy performance of pulsed HF, chain reaction driven, chemical laser resonators when operating only on fundamental transitions, delta V = 1, and only on first overtone transitions, delta V = 2. The initial efforts were the buildup of the experimental test facility with which excellent performance as an FT HF laser was demonstrated. However, attempts to produce OT lasing using lamda- variable reflectivity mirror coatings (to promote and suppress, simultaneously, the OT and FT mechanisms) were only marginally successful, even though major facility modifications were made to reduce cavity losses, suppress FT superradiance (ASE), suppress parasitic modes and increase pulse duration. Finally, CW OT lasing was demonstrated using the OT optical components in a combustion-driven, blowdown test facility. A specific energy level, sigma = 266 w/gm/sec, was inferred from the measurements. HF Chemical lasers, HF Overtone lasers, Pulsed photolytically initiated chemical lasers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA267597
Entities
People
- Leo E. Schneider
- W. R. Warren Jr.