Process for producing chemical pump absorbents for chemical lasers

摘要

A process for the preparation of chemical pump absorbents comprises electrodeposition of an alkali or alkaline earth metal from a non-aqueous electrolyte. Calcium is preferred. The electrolyte comprises a polar, non-protonic solvent or is a fused salt electrolyte. The cathode substrate and electrodeposition parameters provide sufficient contact area and porosity to remove reactive species from laser effluent gas. Formation of a mercury amalgam followed by distillation of the mercury provides another suitable absorbent.