Production of iodine atoms for an oxygen—iodine laser from iodine-containing molecules with the help of atomic oxygen

A new technique is proposed for the production of atomic iodine for a cw oxygen–iodine laser with the use of reactions between iodine donor molecules and oxygen atoms. The CH₃I, CF₃I, or I₂ molecules can be used as donors. Oxygen atoms are injected into the reaction region by admixing the flow of partially dissociated oxygen produced in an electric discharge. The use of atomic iodine instead of molecular iodine excludes the consumption of singlet oxygen O₂(¹Δ) for the dissociation of I₂ and quenching of I* by the I₂ molecules. The latter will supposedly allow raising the optimal density of I and accordingly the gain coefficient. Estimates were made of the required degree of dissociation of oxygen employed to obtain iodine atoms at which the above advantages can be realised.