Simplified calculations for prediction of parameters of 18.4-μm CO2 continuous-wave gasdynamic lasers

Abstract

A simplified analytical model of the CO2 cw gasdynamic laser operating on the Q branch of the 0310?1000 radiative transition is presented in this paper. The population inversion, gain, and maximum available vibrational energy to be converted into the 18.4-μm wavelength radiation field are calculated together with corresponding values of the temperature(s), pressure(s), nozzle cross-section area(s), and laser output per unit mass flow in an ideal adiabatic approximation. The influence of the relaxation of the coupled ν1 and ν2 vibrational modes and of the cavity losses on the laser output power are considered.