Long range chain laser studies, phase I studies. Final report

The chemical and vibrational kinetics of the H/sub 2/-F/sub 2/ chain reaction were studied to improve the description of the evolution of the various vibrational levels in order to better predict chain-reaction-laser performance. Two types of experiments were performed: (1) flow tube, and (2) pulsed reaction. In the flow tube experiments, fluorine atoms were produced by passing F/sub 2/ through a mass heater. The F/sub 2/ and F emanating from the heater were mixed with additional F/sub 2/, Ar, and H/sub 2/ to achieve the desired stoichiometry.