A High-Flux NCl3 Generator for the All Gas Iodine Laser

"The All Gas Iodine Laser (AGIL) has been proposed as the next generation chemical laser for weapons applications. It has a strong heritage to the two current weapons grade chemical lasers, the Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) Laser and Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser(COIL). AGIL uses an HF combustor for operation and the same lasing species and a similar energy transfer mechanism as COIL. AGIL is powered by excited NCl(a1¿') metastables through the reaction of Cl atoms with hydrogen azide (HN3), a highly explosive andunstable species. We propose to develop and deliver a device that uses NCl3 chemistry as an alternative source for NCl(a1¿') production, eliminating the risks inherent in the use of HN3. Fabrication of an efficient NCl3 gas-flow generator and storage ofhigh concentrations of NCl3 will demonstrate concept feasibility. The combination of experimental testing and system modeling will culminate in a detailed design for an NCl3 generator sized to power a multi-kilowatt AGIL. If proven successful, thegenerator will eliminate the technical problems of the hydrogen azide-based AGIL and support the use of AGIL in a wide range of laser applications. These include SBL, ABL, and tactical missions in addition to various commercial high-power materialsprocessing applications. The generator concepts examined in this proposal have the potential to impact high energy laser programs of the future. The knowledge gained in this effort will provide