An experimental study revealed the existence of an optimal specific energy of initiation of a fluorine–hydrogen mixture by a high-power relativistic electron beam. In the presence of a good catalyst, the relaxation of SF6 in the active mixture increased greatly the output radiation energy and the duration of lasing.
An investigation was made of the spectral and time characteristics of an SF6–H2 laser initiated by a high-power electron beam. The time-integrated emission spectrum of the HF laser was determined by recording a thermal relief on a photographic film. The time characteristics were obtained employing pyroelectric sensors with a high time resolution (less than 5 ns). Lasing was found to occur far from a rotational equilibrium.
An experimental study was made of the influence of various diluents on the output characteristics of an F2–H2 laser. Under high-power electron-beam initiation, the acceleration of the rotational relaxation of HF* molecules and the parameters of the laser pulse could be influenced to some extent by selecting the pressure and type of diluent.
A description is given of a pulsed HF laser pumped by a nonchain mechanism and operating in a master oscillator–amplifier configuration. The master oscillator was initiated by a self-sustained discharge, whereas the amplifier was initiated by a high-current relativistic electron beam. When the radiation intensity generated in the master oscillator exceeded 105 W/cm2, all the energy stored in the amplifier was extracted by the oscillator signal. The energy gain was ~ 35 and the power gain was ~ 105.
