Patent ID: 6813304
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: H01S,Y10S

Abstract:
A high energy DF chemical laser gain generator, comprising:a combustor for generating atomic fluorine (F), including a plurality of combustor injectors, for Injecting into the combustor a gas containing fluorine and hydrocarbon fuel; a laser cavity in which lasing takes place as a result of a chemical reaction between the atomic fluorine (F) and deuterium (D2); and a plurality of laser cavity injector blades, for injecting deuterium (D2) with the atomic fluorine into the laser cavity; wherein the laser cavity injector blades include internal passages for flow of gas and internal passages for flow of cooling water; and wherein the gain generator is formed from a plurality of uniformly thin, flat platelets of metal, each of which defines a cross-sectional slice of the gain generator, including the injector blades, and in which, the internal passages for flow of cooling water and gas are formed by chemical etching of each platelet separately, to define cross-sectional elements of the internal passages; whereby the water-cooled laser gain generator operates at relatively low temperatures and avoids the need for high gas inlet pressures.