Pulsed H2/F2 chemical laser with a reduced initial mixture temperature

A reduction in the initial temperature of the mixture in a pulsed H₂/F₂ chemical laser to —190°C resulted in a monotonic fall of the output energy because of slowing down of the rates of the chemical pump reactions. However, this reduction in the initial temperature made it possible to prepare mixtures with a low concentration of an inhibitor (O₂), which increased the lasing chain length. Consequently, the output energy and efficiency of the laser rose to values which, under certain conditions, could be even higher than those obtained at room temperature. Such cooling made it possible to study the influence of a number of chemically active additives on the active mixture of the H₂/F₂ laser. A new inhibitor (carbon monoxide), effective at temperatures below — 50°C, was found in H₂/F₂ mixtures. Experimental evidence was obtained of the feasibility of additional initiation of active mixtures by the formation of fluorine atoms in the course of secondary reactions accelerated by self-heating of H₂ — F₂ — CO mixtures.