Optimization of the gain of a carbon dioxide gas-dynamic laser

An optimization procedure is applied to the gain of a carbon dioxide gas-dynamic laser with a planar wedge-shaped nozzle. A one-dimensional steady-state flow of the gas without a change in its chemical composition is assumed. The rate equations are formulated and an analysis of the range of variation of the parameters being optimized is given. The optimization is performed by varying the initial temperature, pressure, composition of the mixture (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and water vapor), and nozzle geometry. The relief of the surface representing the solution in a multidimensional space of the optimized parameters is determined and the nature of variaiton of these parameters near the optimal points is analyzed.