Title: HF or DF Chemical laser using laser induced chemistry

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Claims: I claim:

1. A method for the production of nascent fluorine by irradiating COF.sub.2 in admixture with H.sub.2 /D.sub.2 to produce HF or DF in an excited vibrational state which lases, said method comprising:

(i) preparing a homogeneous admixture of COF.sub.2 and H.sub.2 /D.sub.2 ;

(ii) metering said admixture of COF.sub.2 and H.sub.2 /D.sub.2 into a properly conditioned laser cell to achieve a predetermined pressure from about 25 to about 200 torr; and

(iii) irradiating said admixture of COF.sub.2 and H.sub.2 /D.sub.2 for a predetermined time period with the R.sub.12 line of a cw CO.sub.2 multiline laser operating at a predetermined power level to effect dissociation of COF.sub.2 to produce nascent fluorine atoms which immediately react with H.sub.2 /D.sub.2 present to produce HF or DF in an excited vibrational state which lases.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said homogeneous admixture is COF.sub.2 and H.sub.2 ; said predetermined pressure of said homogeneous admixture in said laser cell is about 25 torr; said predetermined power level of said cw CO.sub.2 multiline laser is about 150 watts; said predetermined time of irradiating is about one second; and wherein HF is produced in an excited vibrational state which lases.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said homogeneous admixture is COF.sub.2 and D.sub.2 ; said predetermined pressure of said homogeneous admixture in said laser cell is about 25 torr; said predetermined power level of said cw CO.sub.2 multiline laser is about 150 watts; said predetermined time of irradiating is about one second; and wherein DF is produced in an excited vibrational state which lases.

Other info:

Inventors: Merritt, James A. (Pulaski, TN, US)

Application Number: 927327
Filing Date: 1978-07-24
Publication_date: 1980-06-17
Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army (Washington, DC)
Primary Class(es): 372/89
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

4063896

Dec, 1977

Merritt et al.

23/254.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Sikes, William L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Edelberg; Nathan, Gibson; Robert P., Voigt; Jack W.