Advanced Diagnostics for HF Lasers

In this Phase II SBIR we propose to develop and deliver a versatile and unique device called the Adaptive Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer (AIRIS) designed specifically for HF chemical lasers. The AIRIS will be an automated system that will allowdetailed, spectrally and spatially resolved images of HF laser beam profiles. In addition, the AIRIS will provide a valuable tool for developing new chemical laser nozzles since it will provide images of mixing of the H2 and F flow steams and formation ofro-vibrationally excited HF within the laser cavity. The HF AIRIS will provide a valuable tool for high power HF laser developers to provide improved system performance. We propose a comprehensive development and testing program with field tests atrecognized national centers of excellence for HF lasers. The HF AIRIS will have the ability to tune to user selected HF lines and rapidly switch between lines. There are multiple potential uses for the HF AIRIS including multiple health monitoringfunctions for large-scale lasers under development for the Space Based Laser including the Integrated Flight Experiment.