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Contribution to the theory of non-self-maintaining volume discharges in molecular and noble gases

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Journal of Soviet Laser Research Aims and scope

Abstract

Results are presented of investigations of non-self-maintaining volume (NV) gas discharges. The structure is investigated and the current-voltage characteristics are plotted of NV discharges in molecular gas. The characteristic times of the transient processes in the cathode layer of a nonstationary electron-beam-controlled (EBC) discharge are obtained. It is proposed to use an NV discharge as the nonlinear element of a relaxation-oscillation laser. Results are presented of computer experiments with such a laser. The influence of the hydrodynamic motion of the mixture on the characteristics of the cathode layer of an open-cycle cw EBC laser is investigated. It is shown that the ultraviolet emission of excimer molecules alters radically the structure of the cathode layer of an EBC discharge in a noble gas, viz., the intense photoeffect on the cathode leads to the appearance of a negative cathode potential drop. Self-maintaining photoionization and EBC discharges in a noble gas are considered; in these discharges the plasma density is maintained by impurity ionization or by electron-excitation of the atoms by emission from excimer molecules.

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Authors
  1. V. V. Aleksandrov
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  2. E. P. Glotov
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  3. V. A. Danilychev
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  4. V. N. Koterov
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  5. A. M. Soroka
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Translated from Trudy Ordena Lenina Fizicheskogo Instituta im. P. N. Lebedeva, Vol. 142, pp. 46–94, 1983.

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Aleksandrov, V.V., Glotov, E.P., Danilychev, V.A. et al. Contribution to the theory of non-self-maintaining volume discharges in molecular and noble gases. J Russ Laser Res 5, 603–646 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01122720

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