Feasibility of increasing the output energy of a nonchain HF (DF) laser

Significant stabilisation of self-sustained volume discharges in active mixtures of nonchain HF (DF) lasers was achieved by replacing H₂ (D₂) with hydrocarbons (carbon deuterides). These discharges were used in chemical lasers with large active volumes and high output parameters. An active volume of 5 litres yielded an output energy of 31 J from an HF laser and 24 J from a DF laser with the technical efficiency of 2.8% and 2.2%, respectively.