Observation of optical inhomogeneities in the active medium of an F2+D2 (H2)+CO2 chemical laser

A Michelson interferometer was used in an investigation of optical inhomogeneities of the active medium of an F₂ + D₂ (H₂)+CO₂ chemical laser pumped by a pulse light source. The maximum change in the refractive index was observed near the pump source: for F₂ + D₂ + CO₂ mixtures, it amounted to ~3×10^–6 and, for F₂ + H₂ mixtures, it was approximately 3 times as large. The optical inhomogeneities were attributed to the chain chemical reaction taking place in the active medium.