Lasers and fluorine chemistry: A few illustrative studies

Abstract

Following a brief survey of the current work on fluorine and lasers, the main results of studies performed in out laboratory concerning laser photochemistry, fluorine generators for chemical lasers and electronic transition gas lasers will be presented. The laser photochemistry study was achieved using isotopic selective excitation of the 35ClF molecule and the observed isotopic effect allowed us to obtain information oh the photo-induced reaction with sulfur tetrafluoride. Some tetrafluoroammonium salts which may be considered as potential solid sources of fluorine for chemical lasers, were studied mainly from a thermochemical point of view. Results concerning their decomposition, solid state phase change and resulting formation enthalpy were obtained. As far as the electronic transition gas lasers are concerned, a higly corrosion resistant experimental set up has been used to study the chemical behavior of halogens or noble gas fluorides under electric discharge regime and to obtain information on the processes involved.