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 X 11 cm three- jet nozzle array and the nozzle-nozzle-nozzle configuration. Such a nozzle array made it possible to form an active medium approximately 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 cm X 11 cm) cross section. A specific output energy of approximately 80 Jg -1 was reached.