Abstract: A new mid-infrared laser in hydrogen which produces an output when excited by a high voltage pulse discharge in a long, low loss cavity to produce laser action in three or more lines as output pulses with lengths varying from less than 1 microsecond to over 6 microseconds with wavelengths in the 3 .mu.m band including 3.71 .mu.m, 3.77 .mu.m, and 3.84 .mu.m.

Abstract: A cryogenic infrared laser in deuterium in which an output is produced by exciting the deuterium after it has been cooled to cryogenic temperature with a high voltage pulse discharge to produce laser action in three or more lines as output pulses with varying lengths and with wavelengths in the 4 .mu.m band and including 4.52 .mu.m, 4.60 .mu.m, and 4.71 .mu.m.

Abstract: An output coupler, for laser cavities with totally reflecting mirrors, hag a beam splitter and a mirror mounted so that the direction of the output beam of the laser is invariant to changes in the output coupling coefficients. The percentage of the laser's energy which is coupled out into an external beam can be continuously varied or varied to obtain the optimum output coupling coefficient and then left set on this value. This device can also be used as a variable beam splitter with an invariant direction for the reflected beam when used external to the cavity of any laser.

Abstract: A hydrogen fluoride/deuterium fluoride chemical laser having low concentration of deactivants is provided by the application of external heat rather than by internal combustion to cause thermal decomposition of the normal diatomic fluorine to convert it to atomic fluorine. This is accomplished by external heating of inert gases that then heat the diatomic fluorine or by directly heating from an external source the diatomic fluorine to form atomic fluorine. The formed atomic fluorine is then mixed with hydrogen and/or deuterium in a laser chamber to produce lasing of the gases when brought together in a conventional manner and therefrom a laser output.

Abstract: A continuous wave chemical laser device in which useful species such as free radicals as vibrationally excited molecules are generated by interaction of suitable chemicals such as hydrogen, sulfur hexafluoride, and carbon dioxide with laser radiation. The chemical laser device is capable of generating active species by interaction of its own laser radiation after first being initiated by a suitable initiator. The chemical reactions involved can take place at atmospheric pressure or higher and overcome disadvantages of ordinary chemical lasers.

Abstract: Method for producing continuous wave chemical laser output in which useful species such as free radicals as vibrationally excited molecules are generated by interaction of suitable chemicals such as hydrogen, sulfur hexafluoride, and carbon dioxide with initiator laser radiation. The chemical laser output is sustained by feeding back a portion of the laser output after first being initiated by a suitable initiator. The chemical reactions involved can take place at atmsopheric pressure or higher and overcome disadvantages of ordinary chemical lasers.

Abstract: A mechanism for the protection of optical glass plates against high energy laser radiation effects. The mechanism includes a water coated or water impregnated film positioned in a manner to shield the optical plates and absorb radiation from an attacking high energy laser source. An automatic means is provided for advancing the film when it experiences a rapid rise in temperature.