Abstract

The results of a survey of pressure-broadening data in the literature pertaining to species present in H₂ − F₂ chemical lasers are described. Pressure-broadened linewidths of the HF vibration–rotation transitions were found to depend strongly on the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers, as well as on the perturbing species. The experimental data were incorporated into a rate equation model of the pulsed H₂ − F₂ laser; where experimental data were unavailable, theoretical values were used. The calculations made from this model demonstrate the importance of including such detailed pressure-broadening information. Recent experimental results of Kwok and Cohen for HF V → R,T deactivation were also included in the model and were taken to be a multiquantum process. Comparisons of model predictions for pulse energy and pulse duration with several atmospheric-pressure laser measurements showed good agreement.

© 1977 Optical Society of America

Effect of vibrational and rotational relaxation mechanisms in pulsed H₂ + F₂ lasers

R. C. Brown and R. L. Kerber
Appl. Opt. 23(13) 2078-2087 (1984)

Effect of Mixing Rate on HF Chemical Laser Performance

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

Effect of cavity transients and rotational relaxation on the performance of pulsed HF chemical lasers: a theoretical investigation

J. J. T. Hough and R. L. Kerber
Appl. Opt. 14(12) 2960-2970 (1975)

Rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms in pulsed H₂ + F₂ chain reaction lasers. 1: Effect on gross laser performance parameters

R. L. Kerber and J. J. T. Hough
Appl. Opt. 17(15) 2369-2380 (1978)

Chain reaction pulsed HF laser: a simple model

R. L. Kerber and J. S. Whittier
Appl. Opt. 15(10) 2358-2366 (1976)