Continuous-wave reaction-product chemical lasers (review)

The current status of cw reaction-product chemical lasers is examined. The physical principles of their operation are described and a qualitative interpretation of the main experimental results is given. Particular attention is paid to the prospects associated with the development of new self-contained systems, the establishment of new regimes in which the efficiency of conversion of chemical energy to laser energy is enhanced, and the broadening of the spectral range of the emission frequencies.