Overview Of Pulsed Premixed Short Wavelength Chemical Laser Concepts

All efforts to obtain short wavelength (< 1 gm) chemical lasers (SWCL's) have failed to date. The reasons for failure and possible ways to overcome the difficulties are discussed. In particular, a novel approach to obtaining SWCL's based on a premixed fuel-lasant capable of producing high energy pulses, is described. Electronically-excited nitrogen molecules are produced by detonation of metal azides. Lasing is expected via energy transfer from the nitrogen molecules to metal atoms or within the nitrogen molecules. Preliminary results obtained by detonation of lead azide are presented. Calculations based on a coupled hydrodynamic-kinetic model point out that the detonation should result in population inversion between potential laser levels of lead atoms.