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Analysis of nonlinear chemically reactive flow characteristic of high energy laser systems
Author(s) -
Chung T. J.,
Karr G. R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620160102
Subject(s) - chemical laser , finite element method , nonlinear system , choked flow , flow (mathematics) , supersonic speed , computation , laser , finite difference , energy flow , compressible flow , mechanics , physics , compressibility , materials science , energy (signal processing) , thermodynamics , computer science , mathematics , optics , mathematical analysis , quantum mechanics , algorithm
This paper is concerned with the mechanics and computation of the performance of a high energy chemical laser of the HF type. The analysis requires solving the‐viscous, compressible supersonic flow equations which are coupled to the chemical and optical characteristics of the flowing gas media. A finite element method is chosen for performing the computation. The physical system simulated in the work consists of the supersonic mixing of the two flows; one flow consists of hydrogen gas where as the second flow is rich in fluorine gas. Perpendicular to the flow, an optical cavity provides for reflection and amplification of radiation characteristic of the output of the HF laser system. The HF system achieves a population inversion of the HF molecule as a result of the chemical reaction between H 2 and F. This reaction also provides heat which couples with the fluid mechanics as an influence on the flow field. This paper will discuss the nonlinear nature of the problem, will present the finite element method used to solve the problem, and will compare results with others who have used finite difference methods for solution.