Investigation of the energy parameters of a chemical ClF–H2 laser with electron-beam initiation

A study was made of the characteristics of a chemical laser utilizing a ClF–H₂ mixture and initiated by an electron beam. Stimulated emission was observed from vibrationally excited HF and HCl molecules. Since the reaction was of the chain type, relatively high stimulated emission parameters were obtained: the specific output energy was 22 J/liter; efficiency of 100% relative to the pump energy supplied to the active medium; 24% stimulated emission energy due to the HCl molecules. The higher stability of the ClF–H₂ mixture, compared with F₂–H₂, and the more efficient stimulated emission from the vibrationally excited HCl molecule (λ_s=3.6–4 μ) should make the ClF–H₂ laser more suitable for many applications.