PULSED CHEMICAL-LASER WITH AN ELECTRON-BE AM-INITIATED REACTION

An investigation was made of the processes occurring in the active med ium of a pulsed hydrogen fluoride chemical laser with a 16-litre activ e volume. The chemical reaction was initiated by a ribbon electron bea m of large cross section, injected perpendicular to the optic axis of the laser cavity. A study was made of the changes in the spatial lasin g region for normal propagation of the electron beam and when this bea m was blanked out. The dependence of the laser energy characteristics on the electron beam energy, deposited in the active volume, was deter mined.