Fluorine Gas Handling Sensor System

Many military systems use dangerous gases and we propose to develop sensors that will enable safer and more reliable gas handling systems. In particular, for Army chemical lasers, we propose to develop a sensor to monitor the health of the fluorinepassivation layer. Because fluorine reacts violently with metals, the passivation layer is essential for safe and reliable operation of chemical lasers. This becomes particularly important if mobility is required. Passivation layers are fragile and themechanical stresses of mobile operation increase the risks. Our sensor will provide early warning of problems allowing the operator to take corrective action before either the laser hardware is damaged or gas leaks cause personnel injuries.Army solid-state lasers would also benefit. The manufacture of solid-state lasers, like all semiconductors, requires ultra high vacuum systems with high purity gases including many highly reactive gases such as oxygen and fluorine. Our in-line gas sensorwill help improve yield and reliability of semiconductor manufacture.The DoD has invested a great deal in gas laser research over several decades. Improved gas handling is needed to reap the benefits of this investment.The use of dangerous and highly-reactive gases is necessary in many branches of the military as well asin many civilian industries. For example, halogen gases, such as fluorine and chlorine are widely used in military and civilian laser systems. While safer, oxygen is also highly explosive and is required by all branches of the military, by NASA, and bycivilian industries including bio and pharmaceutical labs. All of these would benefit from the improved gas handling sensing system that we propose.