Abstract

The development of an analytical model for predicting the performance of HF lasers that result from the mixing of atomic fluorine with molecular hydrogen in continuously flowing systems is described. The model combines a temperature-dependent solution for a premixed laser system with laminar or turbulent flame-sheet mixing schemes to generate closed-form expressions for the two conditions of constant pressure (simulating a free jet) and constant density (simulating a partially confined flow). The various approximations, including a fully communicating cavity and characteristic reaction and deactivation lifetimes, are discussed. Scaling laws that relate power to the total pressure and nozzle parameters are developed. Comparison with exact numerical treatments for a wide range of conditions reveals that the model is consistently accurate to ∼10%. Finally, the sensitivity of the predictions to the kinetic rate package and the utility of the model for performing parameter studies are indicated.

© 1976 Optical Society of America

Effect of Mixing Rate on HF Chemical Laser Performance

J. E. Broadwell
Appl. Opt. 13(4) 962-967 (1974)

Computer Modeling and Parametric Study for a Pulsed H₂ + F₂ Laser

R. L. Kerber, G. Emanuel, and J. S. Whittier
Appl. Opt. 11(5) 1112-1123 (1972)

Transfer chemical laser: modeling of a cw DF–CO₂ laser

S. W. Zelazny, J. A. Blauer, L. Wood, L. H. Sentman, and W. C. Solomon
Appl. Opt. 15(5) 1164-1171 (1976)

Closed-Form Solution to Rate Equations for an F + H₂ Laser Oscillator

George Emanuel and James S. Whittier
Appl. Opt. 11(9) 2047-2056 (1972)

Kinetic Model and Computer Simulation of Continuous Wave DF-CO₂ Chemical Transfer Lasers

W. Baumann, J. A. Blauer, S. W. Zelazny, and W. C. Solomon
Appl. Opt. 13(12) 2823-2834 (1974)