How many O_2(~1Δ) molecules are consumed per dissociated I_2 in chemical oxygen-iodine lasers?

摘要

Direct measurements of the dissociation of I_2 molecules at the optical axis of a supersonic chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) as a function of I_2 flow rate were carried out. This enabled us to determine the number of consumed O_2(~1Δ) molecules per dissociated I_2 molecule. The number depends on the experimental conditions: it is 4.2±0.4 for typical conditions and I_2 densities applied for the operation of the COIL, but increases at lower I_2 densities. Possible dissociation mechanisms consistent with our results are discussed and the importance of dissociating I_2 prior to its mixing with O_2(~1Δ) is stressed.