Fluorine atom formation in hydrogen and fluorine combustion for HF chemical laser

A fluorine combustor was made to test the formation of fluorine atoms and its applicability to HF chemical laser system. Excess gaseous fluorine was used to produce fluorine atoms during the combustion reaction of fluorine with hydrogen at low pressure, 1 ∼ 10 torr. The formation of fluorine atoms was deduced by measuring the gaseous flow velocities at the cavity. The characteristics of the fluorine combustor was also investigated by observing the flame at the cavity. (author)