H2F2 chain reaction rate investigation

Experimental performance of chemical lasers pumped by the H₂ + F₂ chain reaction has consistently fallen below expectations, although the “hot”, H+F₂→HF(ν)+F, pumping reaction produces greater vibrational excitation than the “cold”, F+H₂→HF(ν)+H, reaction used in most HF cw chemical lasers. The reasons for this discrepancy are examined by measuring spatially-resolved HF(ν) number density and the temperature profiles in a laminar, parallel flow, hydrogen-fluorine mixing layer and comparing the results with theoretical computations. By dissociating either the hydrogen or fluorine molecules with arc heaters, kinetics of the hot and cold reaction systems are separately investigated. From a comparison of the experimental vibrational populations and the theoretical predictions, it is concluded that: (1) previously-used pumping and deactivation rates associated with the cold reaction are approximately correct, (2) the deactivation of high vibrational levels populated by the hot reaction is much faster than previously stated in Ref. (1), and (3) the inclusion of multiquantum HF(ν) V-T (or V-R) deactivation reactions, which sharply decreases the number density of the upper vibrational levels, greatly improves the agreement between theory and experiment.