Modeling CW DF and HF Laser Performance at Low Cavity Pressures and Diluent Conditions

Abstract

A laser performance model originally developed for high cavity pressure and diluent c.w. lasers is extended to apply to a significantly lower pressure and diluent operating regime. The different class of laser nozzle geometries used in low diluent applications are described and a method for theoretically modeling the internal flow area expansion which occurs in these designs is presented. Experimental data (closed cavity power, chemiluminescence, zero power gain) for helium diluent hydrogen fluoride and nitrogen diluent deuterium fluoride chemical lasers is used to assess the accuracy of the model. Agreement between theory and data is good for both the axisymmetric and two dimensional nozzle geometries examined. Test conditions where theory and data do not agree are shown to be in part related to the influence of shroud geometry and vacuum duct pressure on the flowfield.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 02, 1978
Accession Number
ADA339132

Entities

People

  • S. W. Zelazny
  • W. L. Rushmore

Organizations

  • Bell Aircraft Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Chemical Lasers
  • Databases
  • Deuterium Fluoride Lasers
  • Equations
  • Flow
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Geometry
  • High Energy Lasers
  • Hydrogen Fluoride Lasers
  • Lasers
  • Power Gain
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Pressure Gradients
  • Secondary Flow
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy