Advanced Chemical Iodine Lasers

The team of Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and Ohio State University (OSU) proposes to develop and test a novel method for electrical production of singlet molecular oxygen for application to an atomic iodine transfer laser. OSU has developed a supersonic,low pressure discharge and applied it to flows of nitrogen with efficient excitation of the gas. They propose to use this method that tailors the electron energy to match modeling predictions for efficient pumping of the singlet delta state of molecularoxygen. This is the energy carrying species in chemical oxygen iodine lasers. PSI will develop and apply novel and sensitive diagnostics to quantitatively characterize the OSU flow system. These diagnostics will include both absolute chemiluminescencephotometry and ultra sensitive diode laser absorption measurements. The Phase I goal is to demonstrate that the low pressure discharge method is a viable candidate for an efficient, electrically-pumped COIL system. This laser system would be developedand demonstrated in Phase II. Successful completion of the proposed SBIR program will result in a new COIL system that would have numerous applications for both the military and commercial sectors. Some of these applications include: tactical directedenergy weapons and laser welding and machining. The potential advantages of an electrically-pumped COIL compared to a chemically driven COIL are significant for these applications. The electrical system also has the potential for recylable operation.