Abstract: A model for the loaded gain of a flowing chemical oxygen-iodine laser is described. The model, a generalization of that of Zagidullin et al., includes pumping of the upper laser level by O$-2$/($+1$/$Delta@), deactivation by water and energy pooling with O$-2$/($+1$/$Delta@). stimulated emission, and hyperfine and velocity cross-relaxation of the iodine atoms. The dependence of the optical saturation of the medium on Doppler- and collision- broadening, pumping, quenching, and hyperfine and velocity cross- relaxation is discussed. A simple, single-mode optical extraction model, in which the average flux loading the medium is assumed constant and the mode-averaged loaded gain is saturated to the threshold gain of the resonator, is described. This extraction model, together with the gain model, is used to parametrically examine the dependence and efficiency of optical extraction upon COIL medium conditions. The sensitivity of the loaded gain and extraction efficiency to the uncertainty in the magnitude of the velocity cross-relaxation rates is examined and the implications when interpretating experimental data and scaling from low to high power operation are briefly discussed.!24
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