Efficient electron-beam-pumped HF chemical laser with a high specific energy output

An investigation was made of the possibility of achieving a high specific energy output in combination with a high electrical efficiency from an electron-beam-pumped HF chemical laser. The electron beam energy absorbed in the active volume of the laser was determined experimentally. A reduction in the concentration of O2 from 35 to 8% (relative to F₂) increased the output energy of the laser by a factor of 1.4. An F₂:H₂:O₂:He=75:30:6:250 mixture at a pressure of 722 Torr was characterized by a specific energy output of 91 J/liter and the efficiency relative to the input energy was 936%, whereas the chemical efficiency was 4.7%.