Abstract: Providing triatomic nitrogen (N.sub.3) as a relaxation species to an exhaust gas that includes nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x) increases the rate of reducing NO.sub.x in a corona discharge apparatus.

Abstract: A solid-state power processor circuit and method is used to supply power to generate a discharge in a corona discharge pollutant destruction apparatus. The circuit uses field effect transistors (FETs) and integrated circuit devices based upon metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technology to amplify low-voltage pulse signals to high voltage levels. A resonator in the power processor circuit generates sinusoidal oscillation from the high voltage pulses, and provides the high-voltage, high-frequency electrical power necessary for corona discharge.

Abstract: In a pollutant destruction apparatus employing one or more corona discharge reactors, an automatic control system controls power generation characteristics for corona discharge reactions according to factors such as the types and the amounts of pollutants in an exhaust gas, maximum allowable emissions, engine operating characteristics, drive control characteristics and intelligent vehicle highway system inputs, to achieve improved treatment of the pollutants.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction system has two or more corona discharge reactors in series, with each stage optimized for either oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) or reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x). The reactors may be arranged with initial oxidation stages followed by reduction stages. Alternatively, the oxidation and reduction reactors may be arranged in alternate stages, with each oxidation reactor followed by a reduction reactor. The treatment of different pollutants by different reactors is achieved by supplying the different reactors with different power levels.

Abstract: A solid-state power processor circuit and method is used to supply power to generate a discharge in a corona discharge pollutant destruction apparatus. The circuit uses field effect transistors (FETs) and integrated circuit devices based upon metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technology to amplify low-voltage pulse signals to high voltage levels. A resonator in the power processor circuit generates sinusoidal oscillation from the high voltage pulses, and provides the high-voltage, high-frequency electrical power necessary for corona discharge.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction system has two or more corona discharge reactors in series, with each stage optimized for either oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) or reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x). The reactors may be arranged with initial oxidation stages followed by reduction stages. Alternatively, the oxidation and reduction reactors may be arranged in alternate stages, with each oxidation reactor followed by a reduction reactor. The treatment of different pollutants by different reactors is achieved by supplying the different reactors with different power levels.

Abstract: An indoor air pollutant destruction apparatus destroys pollutants by a corona discharge that is generated by a rapidly oscillating electric field. Free electrons generated by the corona discharge produces ozone (O.sub.3), which effectively destroys volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biological forms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores. Fine particulate materials such as smoke and dust are charged by the corona discharge, and when they pass through the rapidly oscillating electric field, they coagulate to form larger particles which are then filtered out.

Abstract: In a pollutant destruction apparatus employing one or more corona discharge reactors, an automatic control system controls power generation characteristics for corona discharge reactions according to factors such as the types and the amounts of pollutants in an exhaust gas, maximum allowable emissions, engine operating characteristics, drive control characteristics and intelligent vehicle highway system inputs, to achieve improved treatment of the pollutants.

Abstract: In a gaseous pollutant destruction apparatus employing a corona discharge reactor for reducing nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x), a fuel injection system provides a precisely controlled small quantity of hydrocarbon fuel to the corona discharge reactor to facilitate the destruction of NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A corona discharge pollutant destruction reactor employs two or more electrodes to enhance the effective corona discharge treatment volume by distributing a varying electric field pattern over the reactor's interior chamber. Appropriate delay circuitry allows the inner electrodes to be driven out of phase with each other by a sinusoidal voltage waveform, or corona producing voltage pulses to be cyclically supplied to the inner electrodes in sequence, preferably without overlapping the pulses.

Abstract: A high power phase coupled waveguide laser comprising a plurality of symmetrically disposed lasing members disposed around the outer periphery of an annular enclosure. The laser includes an annular body of dielectric material having a multiplicity of laser cavities formed therein in a symmetrical annular array. The body includes a central bore having conduits extending therethrough for providing a flow of cooling fluid. The heat path between the cavities and the cooling fluid is symmetrical for all cavities. This provides equal conditions for all laser cavities in the array and ensures phase coupling of all cavities.

Abstract: The laser (10) has a crystal modulator (22) located at one end (16) of the laser gain medium (12) opposite the end (14) to which the total reflector or grating (18) is attached. The outcoupler (28) is spaced a predetermined nonzero distance apart from the edge (30) of the crystal (22). The spacing (d) is selected to overcome and compensate for distortions caused by thermal lensing effects in the crystal (22).

Abstract: An improved transverse gas flow RF pumped waveguide laser has been developed utilizing RF discharge waveguide technology in a mid-infrared laser. A potential application has been identified in a continuous wave gas laser. For the laser, the flowing gas provides efficient cooling so that high output power per unit gain length can be achieved.

Abstract: A transverse gas flow RF pumped waveguide laser has been developed utilizing RF discharge waveguide technology in several infrared lasers. Two potential applications have been identified; the pulsed chemical laser and the CW CO.sub.2 laser. In the chemical laser, the flowing gas device provides rapid gas replenishment to maintain high electrical efficiency at high repetition rates. In the CW CO.sub.2 laser, the flowing gas provides efficient cooling so that high output power per unit gain length can be achieved.

Abstract: A continuous wave HF R-branch chemical laser uses a linear array nozzle system having primary and secondary nozzles for exciting HF and a laser resonator having mirrors with reflectance to discriminate against P-branch lasing of the excited HF.

Abstract: Lasers are disclosed wherein trapped multiline laser radiation from a DF laser is employed to pump a DF-CO.sub.2 working gas mixture within the optical resonator for the DF laser. The multiline pumping energy is resonantly absorbed by the DF component of the working gas mixture and collisionally transferred to upper energy levels of lasing transitions in CO.sub.2. A narrow-band optical resonator disposed about the working gas interaction region with the pumping radiation and tuned to a desired CO.sub.2 transition enables a single line laser output to be obtained on the desired transition.