Effects of translational and rotational nonequilibrium on cw chemical laser performance

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Appl. Opt.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.27.000089· OSTI ID:5733688

Mirels, H

A previous model used to describe cw chemical laser performance is generalized to include rotational as well as translational nonequlibria. The resultant equations are simplified by the realistic assumption that translational and rotational relaxation rates are fast compared with convection, chemical pumping, and collisional deactivation rates. As a consequence, translational and rotational relaxation are in equlibrium with stimulated emission. A further simplification is introduced by the assumption chemically bond1-(R/sub t//R/sub r/)chemically bond(..delta nu../sub h//..delta nu../sub d/)<<1, where R/sub t//R/sub r/ is the ratio of translational to rotational relaxation rates, and ..delta nu../sub h//..delta nu../sub d/ is the ratio of homogeneous to Doppler widths. The resultant system of equations is independent of rotational relaxation. An amplifier solution is presented that predicts saturation effects in accord with experiments. Fabry-Perot oscillator solutions are also presented for a multiline saturated laser and a partly saturated single-line laser. The present results provide a basis for simplification of numerical codes. It is concluded that a reasonable first estimate for cw chemical laser performance can be obtained by assuming rotational equilibrium and translational nonequilibrium.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corporation, Aerophysics Laboratory, P.O. Box 92957, Los Angeles, California 90009-2960
• OSTI ID: 5733688
• Journal Information: Appl. Opt.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Opt.; (United States) Vol. 27:1; ISSN APOPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CHEMICAL LASERS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
EMISSION
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EQUILIBRIUM
EXCITED STATES
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
KINETICS
LASER CAVITIES
LASERS
MATHEMATICS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
REACTION KINETICS
RELAXATION
ROTATIONAL STATES
STIMULATED EMISSION