Experimental investigation of microwave-enhanced combustion of methane-air mixture for laser application

A small signal gain was detected using a CO2 laser during microwave-enhanced combustion of methane-air mixture in a quartz combustor suggesting perturbation of the Boltzmann distribution of molecular energy levels. A maximum value of g = 0.69 %cm-1 was obtained when the combustion zone was irradiated by microwaves at 1000W sustaining the possibility of utilizing the system for laser applications.