NCI3 as a source of NCI(a) for an NCI(a)-I laser

NCI3 is a more stable source of NCI(a) than HN3. The use of NCI3 as a source of NCI(a1Δ) for use in an iodine transfer laser has been modeled. The model suggests that gain can be obtained on the spin orbit transition of the iodine atom at 1.315µm in a purely chemical system. New quenching rates of NCI(a) by H2 and HCI show these species are not a serious problem in scaling the NCI3 system to high energy densities. The measurements of NCI(a) in our flow tube system are obscured at early times by CI2(B-X) radiation from the CI atom induced decomposition of NCI3. We have measured the contribution of this emission and find that the profile more closely matches the profile predicted by the kinetics code. We have measured the yield of CI atoms produced by a microwave discharge of 5% CI2 in He and find a dissociation fraction of about 25% in agreement with previous studies by Manke and Setser. The yield was measured by titrating the CI atoms with HI and observing the HCI(v=1) radiation. In studies of the production of NCI3, we have found that the yield of NCI3 is independent of the gas side mass transfer conditions. Our current reactor produces an NCI3 yield of about 20% relative to CI2. Since the production of higher flows of NCI3 is important for a laser experiment, we present some ideas for scaling NCI3 to higher flow rates. The use of NCI3 as a source of NCI(a1Δ) for use in an iodine transfer laser has been modeled. The model suggests that gain can be obtained on the spin orbit transition of the iodine atom at 1.315µm in a purely chemical system. The experimental data obtained to this point supports the model predictions.