We have been investigating kinetics issues associated with the development of a new chemical laser in the green based on the b-X transition of NF at 529 nm. The proposed scheme involves energy pooling of NF(a1(Delta) ) with I*(2P1/2) to form NF(b1(Sigma) ). The kinetics of NF(a) and NF(X) have a strong impact on the relative populations of NF(X) and NF(b) and therefore play a central role in this system. We have measured the rate coefficients for the reactions of NF(a) and NF(X) with several relevant species including O2, NF2, N2F4, and I2. We have also carried out a series of measurements on the energy pooling of I* with NF(a) by photolyzing mixtures of HI and NF2 at 193 nm to produce H atoms and NF(a). Using a flashlamp-pumped I* laser, we optically prepared I* to create a steady-state ratio of [I*]/[I] during the 30 microsecond(s) laser pulse. This greatly simplifies the kinetics and allows us to extract rate constants for: NF(a) + I* yields NF(b) + I, NF(b) + I yields NF(a) + I*, and NF(b) + I yields other products.
KEYWORDS: Chemical species, Molecules, High power lasers, Gas lasers, Optical pumping, Industrial chemicals, Aerospace engineering, Oxygen, Fluorine, Hydrogen fluoride lasers
Three chemical systems have been proposed for generating a visible electronic transition laser on NF(b - X) at lambda = 529 nm. Each concept involves generating NF(a 1 Delta) and upconverting it to NF(b 1 Sigma). The stimulated emission cross section for NF(b - X) is small due to a small Einstein coefficient and rovibronic dilution of the oscillator strength. Large inversion densities are mandated which raise problems with gas phase side reactions involving the collision of two excited state species. In addition, the combination of low gain and high energy storage density results in large intracavity fluxes for a real laser device.
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