Numerical analysis of a chain-excited self-contained cw HF–HCl chemical laser utilizing an F–H2–CIF–He mixture

Abstract

Using a two-dimensional boundary-layer model, an investigation is made of a self-contained cw HF–HCl chemical laser with simultaneous stimulated emission from HF and HCl. It is proposed that a mechanism involving a cold reaction between fluorine and hydrogen F + H2→HF + H and a mechanism involving a chain reaction between chlorine monofluoride ClF and H2 (by introducing ClF into the secondary stream) should be used to produce vibrationally excited HF and HCl molecules in the active medium of the laser. Calculations show that a total laser energy of ~250 J/g (per 1 g of mixture) may be achieved using this design of HF–HCl laser, the ratio of the energies emitted by HF and HCl being approximately 3:1. Results of an investigation of the amplifying properties of the active medium of a cw HF–HCl laser are presented and dependences of the energy characteristics on various parameters of the system are given for planar and cylindrical geometries of the nozzle array.