Operation of a small-scale CW deuterium fluoride chemical laser

We have investigated a small-scale continuous-wave DF chemical laser. Measurements are reported which indicate a multiline output power of 11 W using SF
6
as the fluorine source. With NF
3
used as the fluorine source, a multiline output power of more than 20 W was obtained. The degree of SF
6
dissociation was found to be about 13 percent with O
2
addition.