Experimental investigation of a supersonic cw chemical HF laser with a three-jet nozzle array

An experimental investigation was made of a self-contained supersonic cw chemical HF laser with a 40 cm x11 cm three-jet nozzle array and the nozzle-nozzle-nozzle configuration. Such a nozzle array made it possible to form an active medium {approx}12 cm long and of high optical quality. The use of a wide-aperture stable optical cavity resulted in generation of a laser beam of square (11 cmx11 cm) cross section. A specific output energy of {approx}80 J g{sup -1} was reached. (lasers and amplifiers)