HF or DF Chemical laser using laser induced chemistry

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
A method for the production of nascent fluorine by irradiating COF.
sub.
2 in admixture with H.
sub.
2 /D.
sub.
2 to produce HF or DF in an excited vibrational state which lases, said method comprising: (i) preparing a homogeneous admixture of COF.
sub.
2 and H.
sub.
2 /D.
sub.
2 ; (ii) metering said admixture of COF.
sub.
2 and H.
sub.
2 /D.
sub.
2 into a properly conditioned laser cell to achieve a predetermined pressure from about 25 to about 200 torr; and (iii) irradiating said admixture of COF.
sub.
2 and H.
sub.
2 /D.
sub.
2 for a predetermined time period with the R.
sub.
12 line of a cw CO.
sub.
2 multiline laser operating at a predetermined power level to effect dissociation of COF.
sub.
2 to produce nascent fluorine atoms which immediately react with H.
sub.
2 /D.
sub.
2 present to produce HF or DF in an excited vibrational state which lases.
2.
The method of claim 1 wherein said homogeneous admixture is COF.
sub.
2 and H.
sub.
2 ; said predetermined pressure of said homogeneous admixture in said laser cell is about 25 torr; said predetermined power level of said cw CO.
sub.
2 multiline laser is about 150 watts; said predetermined time of irradiating is about one second; and wherein HF is produced in an excited vibrational state which lases.
3.
The method of claim 1 wherein said homogeneous admixture is COF.
sub.
2 and D.
sub.
2 ; said predetermined pressure of said homogeneous admixture in said laser cell is about 25 torr; said predetermined power level of said cw CO.
sub.
2 multiline laser is about 150 watts; said predetermined time of irradiating is about one second; and wherein DF is produced in an excited vibrational state which lases.




Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hydrogen fluoride (HF) and deteurium fluoride (DF) lasers have been demonstrated by various techniques.
Perhaps the most widely used method of perfecting the conditions for HF or DF lasing employs a pre-combustor for forming excited fluorine atoms which are admitted into a laser cavity along with an excess of hydrogen or deteurium at a predetermined pressure and concentration to cause HF or DF to be formed in an excited vibrational state which subsequently lases