Chemical production and reaction of metastable N(2D) for short-wavelength chemical lasers

Abstract

Metastable N(2D) is selectively produced (yield ≥ 85%) in the reaction of oxygen atoms and cyanogen radicals. We have made oxygen atoms at densities >1015 molecules cm−3 via the reaction of fluorine atoms with water. Yields approach 100% and modeling indicates scaling to short-wavelength chemical laser (SWCL) device levels is possible. We have also produced cyanogen radicals via the reaction of fluorine atoms with HCN and will present our results on the rate constant, CN yield, and scaling potential for this reaction. This latter category includes measurements of the rate constants for reaction of CN with various species we envision will be present in a SWCL device. N(2D) reacts rapidly with Cl2 and is constrained by spin and orbital angular momentum conservation to produce NCl(b,a). We present our results on NCl(b,a) yields and quenching by species envisioned to be present in a SWCL device.