Comparative analysis of characteristics of a supersonic cw chemical HF laser on molecular fluorine and nitrogen trifluoride

We have experimentally studied the characteristics of a supersonic cw chemical HF laser with a flat nozzle array based on a nozzle – nozzle reagent mixing scheme operating with the use of F₂ – D₂ – He and NF₃ – D₂ – He fuel compositions in an atomic fluorine generator. The active medium flow field pattern, its gasdynamic characteristics, and the laser radiation spectrum are considered. The comparison of these characteristics has made it possible to establish a strong impact on the flow field (lasing zone length) of the chemical composition of the combustion products from the atomic fluorine generator. The gas-dynamic parameters of the active medium formed by using a NF₃ – D₂ – He fuel have turned out to be less acceptable in terms of the gas flow pressure recovery than in the case of F₂ – D₂ – He fuel, while the radiation spectrum was more preferable from the viewpoint of passing through the atmosphere.