Abstract

Computer modeling of a new laser concept, long pulse DF and DF CO2 pulsed chemical lasers, initially indicated the feasibility of the concept. Subsequently, modeling was used to design and interpret proof of principle experiments carried out to validate the concept. More recently the models have guided scale up and application experiments. The essential features of the concept are that a combination of weak initiation and a lean fuel mix stretches out the pulse length between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude compared with traditional operation. Such weak pumping would ordinarily lead to severe undersaturation of the lasing transitions. This is compensated for by either extending the gain length by an order of magnitude or reducing the outcoupling fraction significantly. In either case the intracavity flux is increased to the point where the gain is again fully saturated.

© 1990 Optical Society of America