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Investigation of the vibrational temperature kinetics in a TEA CO/sub 2/ laser

Journal Article · · Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

Detailed experimental investigations of the kinetics of the vibrational and translational temperatures of the active medium of a TEA CO/sub 2/ laser are reported for the first time. A comparison of the theoretical and experimental results confirms the validity of the generally adopted temperature model for times > or approx. =1 ..mu..sec/atm after the start of the discharge. A considerable difference between the experimental and theoretical results in the range <1 ..mu..sec/atm shows that in this range a dynamic equilibrium is still absent between the lower levels of the symmetric and bending modes. A reduction discovered in the rate of transfer of vibrational energy from N/sub 2/ to CO/sub 2/ for excitation in an electric discharge is explained by the excitation of the higher vibrational levels of N/sub 2/, a low VV relaxation rate in nitrogen, and anharmonicity of the N/sub 2/ molecule.

Research Organization:
Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Belorussian SSR, Minsk
OSTI ID:
6875394
Journal Information:
Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 12:8; ISSN SJQEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English