HF Chemical Laser Studies: Use of MoF6 to Increase Reaction Rates in H2–F2 Mixtures

Addition of small amounts of MoF6 to the H2–F2 chain reaction system initiated by flash photolysis results in considerable enhancement of HF laser output power and energy with a reduction in pulse duration. Power and energy outputs up to 12 kW and 3.3 mJ/cm3, respectively, have been obtained from dilute mixtures at 600 Torr (H2:F2:MoF6:He=1:1:0.25:40) in a small scale apparatus (20 cm3). Chemical efficiencies of stoichiometric H2–F2 mixtures were increased from 0.2 to 0.8% by this technique. Computer calculations of reaction times, rates, and concentrations are in good qualitative agreement with the observed enhancement effect of MoF6 on the HF chain reaction chemical laser.