Rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms in pulsed H/sub 2/+F/sub 2/ chain reaction lasers. 1: Effect on gross laser performance parameters

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Appl. Opt.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.17.002369· OSTI ID:6739708

Kerber, R L; Hough, J J.T.

A rate equation model of a pulsed H/sub 2/+F/sub 2/ chemical laser is used to examine the relative importance of rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms on laser performance. This computer model yields the time history of the first thirteen rotational levels and the first twelve vibrational--rotational P-branch transitions for the first six vibrational bands of HF. With this model, the general effects of rotational nonequilibrium on the H/sub 2/+F/sub 2/ laser were found (1) to increase the number of transitions that lase simultaneously, (2) to lower the intensity of each transition, and (3) to extend the duration of lasing on each transition; these trends are similar to those observed earlier for the F+H/sub 2/ laser. The major thrust of the present work is to isolate the relative importance of the various rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms. To this end, we have examined and compared several approaches to modeling R--T and V--R relaxation, nonequilibrium pumping distributions, and line-selected operation. The effects of these mechanisms (and their relative importance) on the laser output are clearly revealed by the model. The character of the spectra for the H/sub 2/+F/sub 2/ model is significantly different from that observed for the F+H/sub 2/ model. The ability of the model to predict spectra observed in experiments is assessed, and the model is found to compare well with discharge-initiated lasers. Additional calculationd demonstrate the effect of multiquanta V-T deactivation of HF by HF.

• Research Organization: Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
• OSTI ID: 6739708
• Journal Information: Appl. Opt.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Opt.; (United States) Vol. 17:15; ISSN APOPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CHEMICAL LASERS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
FLUIDS
FLUORINE
HALOGENS
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
KINETICS
LASERS
NONMETALS
PERFORMANCE
POWER
PULSES
REACTION KINETICS
RELAXATION
ROTATIONAL STATES
SIMULATION
VIBRATIONAL STATES