Pulse-periodic operation of an oxygen-iodine chemical laser

Possible methods of achieving pulse-periodic operation of an oxygen–iodine chemical laser (OICL) are indicated. The energy characteristics and efficiency of the pulse-periodic regime are improved substantially if atomic iodine is prepared rapidly in a singlet oxygen medium. This can be done by flash ultraviolet photolysis of iodides. An analysis is made of a system for generation of single nanosecond pulses in an OICL, incorporating a multipass ring amplifier. Coherent amplification conditions can be achieved in this system and the energy stored in the upper level of the iodine atom can be extracted with a 95% efficiency. Estimates show it is realistic to obtain an energy of around 100 kJ, so that the proposed system is potentially useful for laser fusion applications.