Advanced Chemical Iodine Lasers

"Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop and test a novel chemical atomic iodine laser based on vibrational to electronic (V-E) energy transfer. We will develop and exercise a detailed kinetic model to assist in the design of experiments that willalso be part of the Phase I effort. We will develop a unique device that would couple a PSI 5 kW Microwave Driven Jet (MIDJet) to a chemical flowtube reactor. This unique facility will allow production of up to 10 mmole/s of fluorine atoms. Reactionswith the F atom flow are expected to produce sufficient I* (2P1/2) and/or vibrationally excited HF to measure small signal gain near 1.3 ¿m. In the proposed Phase I program we will model candidate reactions paths to HF(v) and I*, assemble a flow reactor,and demonstrate the MIDJet's capability to drive a chemical laser via one or more of these reactions. The data obtained in Phase I will be used to design the portable chemical laser test-bed that will be built and tested in the Phase II program. Thiswould be a versatile device that would enable researchers to examine new reaction schemes, test novel mixing nozzles and optical resonators, and/or produce measurable small signal gain and/or lasing for advanced iodine and chemical laser development.Successful completion of the proposed SBIR program will result in a new chemical laser system and a portable test-bed for researchers testing or developing novel chemical lasers. Such lasers