Close Coupling of Excited Oxygen with Iodine Injection in COIL Lasers

Directed Energy Solutions (DES) and the University of Denver Research Institute (DRI) propose a program aimed at revolutionary advancement of the current technology used in powering high-energy chemical iodine lasers. Our approach is to use a unique generator with a high specific surface area and compact generator volume to produce high yields of singlet delta oxygen (SDO) and transport the flow quickly to the laser nozzle. The laser nozzle is a unique concept utilizing a rapid mixing section. In this Phase II effort we will utilize an existing generator laboratory to experimentally validate this concept. The goal for this program is develop a close coupled generator and nozzle to reduce transit time from the generator to the laser nozzle at flow rates near 300 mmol/s SDO production. The benefit of this approach will be to substantially increase the power output from COIL lasers or enable higher operating pressure. Performance validation measurements will be conducted including SDO yield, Cl2 utilization, water vapor, I atom small signal gain and iodine dissociation. We will also test novel mixing nozzles to determine mixing efficiency and nozzle performance using a planar laser induced fluorescence technique to measure the I2 mixing efficiency under cold flow conditions.