Abstract

An experimental investigation of a pulsed, flash photolytically initiated HF laser pumped by the H₂ + F₂ chain reaction is presented. Measurements of time-resolved spectroscopy, small signal gain, and total pulse energy are reported for two compositions (He:O₂:F₂:H₂ = 20.8:1.0:4.6:1.2 and He:O₂:F₂:H₂ = 22.0:1.0:2.7:1.0) and three mixture pressures (36, 102, and 331 Torr). Time-resolved spectroscopy results show individual pulse durations decrease with pressure and fluorine concentration while peak intensities increase with pressure and fluorine concentration. Small signal gain results show that increasing pressure or fluorine concentration increases individual peak gains and decreases gain durations. Total pulse energy is consistent with previous studies.

© 1986 Optical Society of America

Detailed characteristics of a pulsed H₂ + F₂ laser. 2: Theory

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