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Chemical lasers

Laser gain medium and type

Operation wavelength(s)

Pump source Applications and notes

Hydrogen fluoride laser

2.7 to 2.9 μm for Hydrogen fluoride (<80% Atmospheric transmittance)

Chemical reaction in a burning jet of ethylene and nitrogen trifluoride

(NF

3 )

Used in research for laser weaponry by the U.S. DOD, operated in continuous wave mode, can have power in the megawatt range.

Deuterium fluoride laser

~3800 nm (3.6 to 4.2 μm) (~90% Atm. transmittance)

chemical reaction

MIRACL, Pulsed Energy Projectile &

Tactical High Energy Laser

COIL (Chemical Oxygen-Iodine)

1.315 μm (<70% Atmospheric transmittance)

Chemical reaction in a jet of singlet delta oxygen and

iodine

Laser weaponry, scientific and materials research, laser used in the U.S. military's Airborne laser, operated in continuous wave mode, can have power in the megawatt

range..

Deuterium fluoride laser Deuterium fluoride lase