MODEL FOR CALCULATION OF A CO LASER WITH HIGH-FREQUENCY DISCHARGE IN A SUPERSONIC-FLOW OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS

A model is developed for the calculation of a CO laser with hf discharge in a supersonic flow of combustion products, The model allows one to determine the energy, temporal, and spectral parameters of the CO laser radiation, to optimize the design and operation regimes ensuring the necessary output characteristics. Proceeding from the calculations made, a model setup has been developed and the generation achieved for the first time. High laser efficiency is attained by adjusting the combustion product composition and by choosing the proper working mixture and the time interval during which it stays in the discharge. It is supposed that the major fraction of the input energy of the electric field goes directly to the vibrational levels of CO molecules. Then the other components of the working medium serve as a buffer ps, provided the volume fraction of nitrogen molecules is less than approximately 90% and that of oxygen molecules does not exceed the volume fraction of CO molecules in the mixture.