Localization of a light beam in a narrow inverted zone formed as a result of chemical processes in parallel streams of reagents

Abstract

It is shown theoretically that injection of an optically dense jet between two parallel planar streams establishes a dielectric gas waveguide which localizes light in a narrow reaction zone. It then becomes possible to use narrow inversion zones (with a thickness of the order of 10−2 cm) in cw chemical lasers without suffering the diffraction losses of light. This waveguide effect should make it possible to use gas streams at pressures 1 atm in chemical lasers. A fast chemical reaction, Ba+S2Cl2→S*2(B)+BaCl2, resulting in the emission of visible light is considered by way of example.