Numerical analysis of a chain-excited self-contained cw HF–HCl chemical laser utilizing an F–H2–CIF–He mixture

Using a two-dimensional boundary-layer model, an investigation is made of a self-contained cw HF–HCl chemical laser with simultaneous stimulated emission from HF and HCl. It is proposed that a mechanism involving a "cold" reaction between fluorine and hydrogen F + H₂→HF + H and a mechanism involving a chain reaction between chlorine monofluoride ClF and H₂ (by introducing ClF into the secondary stream) should be used to produce vibrationally excited HF and HCl molecules in the active medium of the laser. Calculations show that a total laser energy of ~250 J/g (per 1 g of mixture) may be achieved using this design of HF–HCl laser, the ratio of the energies emitted by HF and HCl being approximately 3:1. Results of an investigation of the amplifying properties of the active medium of a cw HF–HCl laser are presented and dependences of the energy characteristics on various parameters of the system are given for planar and cylindrical geometries of the nozzle array.