Iodine on-demand system for a chemical laser

A system for supplying Iodine gas, said system comprising:

• a delivery pipe having an inlet and an outlet;
• a solid preheat material;
• a fuel and oxidizer mixture, said mixture being solid and containing Iodine;
• and
• a means for igniting, in sequence, said preheat material and then said mixture, said ignition of said preheat material to generate gas at an elevated temperature for introduction into said inlet of said delivery pipe to heat said delivery pipe and said ignition of said mixture to generate Iodine gas for introduction into said inlet of said delivery pipe for subsequent delivery at said outlet of said delivery pipe.

A laser system comprising:

• a laser cavity;
• a casing formed with an open end and a closed end;
• a fuel and oxidizer mixture, said mixture being solid and containing Iodine, said mixture being disposed in said casing;
• a means for igniting said mixture to generate Iodine gas for exit from said open end of said casing;
• a means for transporting said Iodine gas from said open end of said casing to said laser cavity;
• and
• a means for exciting said Iodine gas to cause said Iodine gas to lase in said laser cavity.