New fluid dynamic experimental techniques in chemical laser research

Fluid dynamic and chemical mechanisms are coupled to define a flow configuration tailored to the requirements of proposed short-wavelength chemical lasers operating on NF(b-X) transitions. A novel blowdown combustion facilty approach to the experimental study of advanced chemical laser and other fluid dynamic phenomena is defined and its adaptation to the study of NF laser mechanisms is described in detail. The facility design allows the generation of high gain-length test flows and the variation of combined fluid dynamic and chemical properties over wide ranges of operation in a laboratory environment. Results from initial studies in the facility are described.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.