Influence of photoinitiating substances on stimulated emission from a chemical HF laser

An investigation was made of the influence of some photoinitiating additives on the output energy of chemical lasers utilizing F₂–H₂ and ClF–H₂ mixtures. The main dependences of the laser output parameters on the pressure in the mixture, initiation power, and amounts of the additives were determined. A close relationship was found between the initiation conditions, pressure in the mixture, and effectiveness of additives. Optimal conditions were found for the operation of photoinitiated lasers utilizing mixtures with fluorine-bearing additives.