Influence of polyatomic gases on the output energy of a photodissociation H2–F2 laser

An investigation was made of the influence of the addition of polyatomic gases on the energetics of an H₂–F₂ laser in the case of controlled initial initiation. The results obtained indicated the presence of two mechanisms for raising the output energy of an H₂–F₂ laser. The first mechanism is common to all gases and involves a change in the specific heat. The second mechanism is specific to particular gases and is associated with an increased rate of the establishment of a rotational equilibrium of the HF molecules. The extent to which polyatomic gases have an effect depends strongly on the initial experimental conditions.