Numerical analysis of the lasing behavior of a $DF-CO_2$ chemical laser

A numerical investigation is made of the energy characteristics of a pulsed $DF-CO_2$ chemical laser. Calculations are made for active mixtures having a high stored chemical energy (2 kJ/liter$\cdot$atm). A study is made of the influence of the following main parameters on the laser characteristics: initiation intensity and duration, initial temperature of the medium, relative concentration of $CO_2$ and $He$, degree of dilution of the mixture with rare gas, and total pressure of the mixture. The maximum useful concentration of $D_2$ and $F_2$ reagents in the mixture is determined for a given total pressure. It is predicted that efficient stimulated emission from a $DF-CO_2$ laser may be excited in principle as a result of an energetic chain-branching process. In this case, the laser efficiency with respect to the reaction-initiating energy may, according to calculations, exceed $10^6$%.