The German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR) is routinely operating its supersonic chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL). Meanwhile over 200 single tests have been performed at run times extending to 1 minute. Power levels of 5 KW have been exceeded. Parametric studies were performed resulting in chemical generator efficiencies of about 43% for the baseline operation with high power output. The BHP molarity was found as one of the most important parameters for a stable and reproducible operation. Yield measurements revealed lower numbers than expected from theoretical calculations. The paper gives an overview of the COIL device and discusses the experimental and calculated results of the investigations.

Date Published: 4 April 1997
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 3092, XI International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference, (4 April 1997); doi: 10.1117/12.270169

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3092:
XI International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference
Denis R. Hall; Howard J. Baker, Editor(s)