UDC 535.2/.3+621.375 Vidya Sagar1, Chhaya Ravikant2, Gaurav Singhal1, and Alok P. Mittal3NUMERICAL MODELING OF ARC PLASMA GENERATOR FOR CHEMICAL LASER APPLICATIONS
The results of the numerical modeling of arc discharge phenomenon relevant to hydrogen fluoride/deuterium fluoride (HF/DF) laser applications are given. The overall mechanics of arc discharge phenomena on the basis of numerical modeling employing the commercial code COMSOL is discussed. The equations for a 2D axisymmetric, weakly compressible, laminar flow with heat transfer and the coupled hydrodynamic and electromagnetic equations are solved using the SIMPLE algorithm. The variations in the material properties, temperature, and velocity due to the generated arc are studied. A comparison of the results obtained with those from the studies available in the literature validates the computational data. Since each designed plasma arc tunnel is unique in itself and specific in application, this would enable one to alter arc discharge parameters to optimize a specific laser. Keywords: HF/DF, arc plasma generator, COMSOL. 1Laser Science&Technology Centre, Metcalfe House, Delhi-110054, India; 2Department of Applied Sciences, GGS IP University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi-6, India; email: chhaya_rkant@yahoo.co.in; 3nstrumentation&Control Engineering, NSIT, Dwarka, New Delhi, India. Original article submitted May 27, 2011; revision submitted August 18, 2011.