HYDROGEN-FLUORIDE CHEMICAL LASER OSCILLATOR

• US 3,803,512 A
• Filed: 09/29/1972
• Issued: 04/09/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kenneth J. Pettipiece
• Original Assignee: Kenneth J. Pettipiece
• Inventors: Pettipiece, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Application Number:
  US05/293,723
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 331/94.5
• US Class Current: 372/89
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0387 Helical shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/095 using chemical or thermal pumping

Abstract

A hydrogen-fluoride chemical laser oscillator capable of producing short timelength (to less than 5 nsec) light pulses in a selected TEM mode. Lasing results from a reaction of flowing gaseous mixtures, such as SF6 and CH4, which produce hydrogenfluoride, at pressures ranging from about 100 to 350 torr when initiated by an electrical discharge in a resonant optical cavity.

Claims

2. The hydrogen-fluoride chemical laser defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical power supply comprises a capacitor bank.

3. The hydrogen-fluoride chemical laser oscillator defined in claim 1, wherein said gaseous mixture is composed essentially of SF6 and CH4.

4. The hydrogen-fluoride chemical laser oscillator defined in claim 3, wherein said mixture of SF6 and CH4 has a ratio of SF6 to CH4 of at least 8:

1.