Time evolution of the gain in the ClF/H₂ rotational chemical laser : evidence for V[right arrow]R energy transfer

Authors:Geraldine Lee Richmond, University of California, Berkeley (Degree granting institution)

Summary:We have used the tandem chemical laser to study the origin of the very high rotational excitation which results upon flash photolysis of ClF/H(,2) mixtures. Advances in the time-delayed tandem method have enabled us for the first time to map the evolution of the laser gain for high rotational transitions as the photolytically initiated chain reaction produces HF('(NOT=)). A grating selective cavity was used to restrict the rotational emission to the transition of interest. In v = 0 the gain development was determined for the four transitions, ('0)30 ( -->) 29, ('0)29 ( -->) 28, ('0)28 ( -->) 27 and ('0)22 ( -->) 21. The three transitions mapped in v = 1 were ('1)32 ( -->) 31, ('1)30 ( -->) 29 and ('1)24 ( -->) 23. Detailed pressure dependence studies were performed on ('0)29 ( -->) 28 to determine the role of various collision partners in the development of laser gain

Thesis, Dissertation, English, 1980