Selection of spectral lines of a CW chemical HF laser

Abstract

The spectral distribution of laser radiation power generated in two (initial and final) regions of the flow of an active medium formed by a three-jet nozzle array of a supersonic cw chemical HF laser embodying the nozzle-nozzle-nozzle mixing scheme is investigated experimentally. It is demonstrated that the spectral lines can be selected by merely varying laser operating parameters, such as the feedback factor of the cavity, the orientation of the optical axis of the cavity with respect to the exit plane of the nozzle array, and the degree of secondary dilution of the active medium with helium. This method results in the selection of one line P1−0 (6) with a power as high as 80% of the total radiation power and two lines P1−0 (5) and P1−0 (6) with a power of 100%.