A high-energy hydrogen bromide laser

Abstract

Parametric and engineering studies of a high-energy HBr laser are described. Use of benzene as a pre-ionisation additive combined with optimised gas mixtures and output coupling has generated 320 mJ reliably at 1 Hz, and up to 550 mJ has been obtained. These energies are up to a factor of 4 greater than the maximum HBr laser outputs previously reported. The laser has been designed as a corrosion resistance, maintenance free system which generates dependable long-term outputs.