Possibility of a High-Efficiency Pulsed Vibrational Overtone HF Chemical Laser

Abstract

We have theoretically analyzed the possibility of a high-efficiency frequency conversion using first vibrational overtone transitions in a discharge-initiated nonchain (H2/SF6) HF chemical laser. In a pulsed operation, vibrational overtone HF laser energy can be obtained with a high conversion efficiency of 67% of the fundamental output energy by suppressing fundamental transitions perfectly. A multiline oscillation of 1.3–1.5 µm in wavelength is expected in the first vibrational overtone transitions. An overtone laser energy density of 0.87 mJ/cm3 is achievable from a discharge-initiated, He-diluted gas mixture of SF6/H2/He=84/12/404–664 (Torr).