Temperature Dependence and Enhanced Output of Pulsed Discharge-Initiated HF Chemical Lasers Using SF6/H2, SF6/CH4 and SF6/C4H10 Mixtures

Abstract

Energetic and spectral studies of pulsed discharge-initiated HF chemical lasers using SF6/H2, SF6/CH4 and SF6/C4H10 mixtures at temperatures from 228 to 573 K have been performed experimentally. The experiments have shown that at the optimum pressure for each mixture the HF laser output energy and spectral distribution are dependent on temperature ; optimum output energy is enhanced as the initial gas temperature is decreased. The output energy increases at 228 K (dry ice cooled) by 15 to 20% over that at 296 K (room temperature) for each mixture. The output energy dependence on temperature has been found to fit approximately an Arrheniustype form. The relative peak power distribution of the HF lasing lines at various temperatures is presented. A brief explanation for this behavior is offered.