Coupled Two-Dimensional Computer Analysis of CW Chemical Mixing Lasers

The advantages of utilizing chemical reactions to support laser emission have been recognized for several years. However, a central problem identified in a variety of cw chemical mixing lasers is the dominance of gas-dynamics on the character of the flowing active medium, pointing to the need for a theoretical model that couples the effects of fluid mechanics of mixing with the nonequilibrium kinetics and the cascade of vibrational-r otational laser transitions. As one of the efforts to meet this need, a two-dimensiona l, rate equation model has been developed. A detailed discussion of the computer model is presented, as well as sample calculations for a representative cold reaction HF laser. Comparisons are made with experiment where appropriate.