Pulsed chemical laser with an electron-beam-initiated reaction

An investigation was made of the processes occurring in the active medium of a pulsed hydrogen fluoride chemical laser with a 16-litre active volume. The chemical reaction was initiated by a ribbon electron beam of large cross section, injected perpendicular to the optic axis of the laser cavity. A study was made of the changes in the spatial lasing region for normal propagation of the electron beam and when this beam was locked in. The dependence of the laser energy characteristics on the electron beam energy, deposited in the active volume, was determined.