Lorentz broadening in the modeling of the HF chemical laser

The results of a survey of pressure-broadening data in the literature pertaining to species present in H(2) - F(2) chemical lasers are described. Pressure-broadened linewidths of the HF vibration-rotation transitions were found to depend strongly on the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers, as well as on the perturbing species. The experimental data were incorporated into a rate equation model of the pulsed H(2) - F(2) laser; where experimental data were unavailable, theoretical values were used. The calculations made from this model demonstrate the importance of including such detailed pressure-broadening information. Recent experimental results of Kwok and Cohen for HF V ? R,T deactivation were also included in the model and were taken to be a multiquantum process. Comparisons of model predictions for pulse energy and pulse duration with several atmospheric-pressure laser measurements showed good agreement.