CHEMICAL LASERS.

Abstract

This article is concerned with high-power chemical lasers, both continuous-wave (cw) and pulsed, including a brief discussion of the iodine photodissociation laser. First, the definition of chemical laser is given, and it is explained how chemical reactions lead to inverted populations. The basic types of chemical lasers are described, in terms of their internal mechanisms, their output characteristics, and their technology. Typical devices are presented and areas of current research interest are pointed out. The state of current theoretical modeling is summarized for the most important laser types. Some general considerations are given relating to the generation of short pulses and short wavelengths from chemical lasers, and the implications of these considerations with regard to current research directions are explored.