Progress toward developing a "controlled avalanche"-based, electric oxygen singlet delta generator module will be reported. Problems that previously limited pressure scalability using this approach are addressed. A new computer model has been developed and used to calculate real-time oxygen singlet delta (O₂¹Δ) evolution along with all other known related chemical species -- beginning with the onset of the process and ending as the flow stream exits the generator. The calculations indicate that a demonstrator module can now be constructed that is capable of producing O₂¹Δ fractional yields in excess of 35% at 50 torr total pressure, while developing 0.05 to 0.1 moles/second 0₂¹Δ. A more detailed and accurate understanding of process dynamics has emerged, which has been incorporated into the excitation methodology and generator design. Fabrication of this generator should begin shortly. The next step will be to characterize its fractional O₂¹Δ yield using spectroscopic techniques. The generator should be capable of driving a supersonic-flow, transverse oxygen iodine laser aimed toward developing 3 - 6 KW continuous power in blown-down configuration. Tentative design details and characteristics for the integrated generator-laser system are be presented.

Date Published: 20 September 2004
PDF: 13 pages
Proc. SPIE 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V, (20 September 2004); doi: 10.1117/12.548208

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5448:
High-Power Laser Ablation V
Claude R. Phipps, Editor(s)