Investigation of the characteristics of an explosion-type gasdynamic laser utilizing the combustion products of acetylene

An investigation was made of the gain and specific stored energy of acetylene combustion products beyond the edge of a nozzle array in an explosion-type gasdynamic laser. Nitrous oxide was used as an oxidizer in addition to atmospheric oxygen. The calculated values of the gain were compared with the experimental data and an analysis made of the dependences of the gain and of the specific stored energy on the composition of the gas mixture and on the initial flow parameters.