Deuterium fluoride laser technology and demonstrators

Gerald Wilson; Bruce R. Graves; Stanley P. Patterson; Robert H. Wank

doi:10.1117/12.554470

10 September 2004 Deuterium fluoride laser technology and demonstrators

Gerald Wilson, Bruce R. Graves, Stanley P. Patterson, Robert H. Wank

Proceedings Volume 5414, Laser Technologies for Defense and Security; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.554470
Event: Defense and Security, 2004, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Deuterium fluoride (DF) lasers have been under development since about 1970. Their intrinsic ability to store high levels of energy internally plus their ability to quickly dispose of waste heat by the convective flow of exhaust gases make this type of laser attractive to the Army for producing high power levels for an air and missile defense weapon system. This paper reviews the basic principles of a DF laser, the chemistry and spectroscopy associated with producing an excited DF lasing molecule, and the generation of a high power laser beam. This paper also reviews the development history of DF lasers and early lethality demonstrations. This includes a detailed discussion of the Army’s recent Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) Demonstrator, its architecture and successes during engagements of in-flight rockets and artillery projectiles. The Army is moving forward in developing a new generation, high power DF laser weapon system, the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (MTHEL). This system will provide our soldiers protection in the future against a variety of airborne threats.

Citation Download Citation

Gerald Wilson, Bruce R. Graves, Stanley P. Patterson, and Robert H. Wank "Deuterium fluoride laser technology and demonstrators", Proc. SPIE 5414, Laser Technologies for Defense and Security, (10 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.554470

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