DOWNSTREAM MIXING GAS-DYNAMIC LASERS - NUMERICAL-SOLUTION

Time-dependent finite-difference solutions of the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, fully coupled with the appropriate finite-rate vibrational kinetic equations, are obtained for a CO2-N2 downstream-mixing gasdynamic laser (GDL). Low Reynolds numbers, hence laminar mixing flows, are studied. Optimum results for laser gain are obtained with no velocity discontinuity between the mixing streams, and with no catalyst (H2O) present in the mixture. Local small-signal gains as high as 13.5/m are calculated for a 4000 K N2 reservoir temperature. Although the present analysis deals only with small-signal gain (no power extraction), the results underscore the potential superiority of downstream-mixing GDL's over conventional designs. © 1979 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.