Numerical analysis of a DF–CO2 chemical laser: kinetics of processes and comparison between calculations and experiment

It is shown that a kinetic calculation model of a pulsed DF–CO₂ laser which allows for the main interactions in the active medium quite satisfactorily reproduces the observed laser characteristics. It is found that the mechanisms of excitation and quenching of the laser action depend on the level of initiation of the chain reaction. The rate constant for the D + F₂→DF + F process which limits the chain propagation rate is determined more accurately from a comparison of the observed and calculated laser pulse durations.