Comparison of computer simulation and experimental results for a 16 µm HBr/CO2laser

An improved version of a computer model simulates 16μm laser output from an optically pumped HBr/CO
2
/Ar laser cavity. A rate equation approach is used to examine the time history of vibrational and rotational excitation and subsequent lasing from the HBr/ CO
2
gas mixture. Rotational nonequilibdum phenomena in HBr and CO
2
are included. The effect of bleaching a particular vibrational-rotational transition with optical saturation is modeled in detail. The results of the computer simulation are compared to the laboratory observations from two separate experiments. The model predicts accurately the effect of changing partial pressures of the constituent gases on 16μm power and energy. The model reveals the important kinetic mechanisms yielding these trends. Finally, the model is modified to simulate optical pumping by an HF laser of an HF/CO
2
/Ar gas mixture. A case by case comparison with the results of the HBr model prediction show significantly lower 9.4 μm powers and energies for any given HF pressure and no evidence of 16μm laser output from the HF/CO
2
gas mixture.