Inhomogeneities in TEA laser discharges

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.322496· OSTI ID:7145346

Egger, H; Dufour, M; Seelig, W

The development and homogeneity of uniformly preionized TEA discharges is investigated by analytical methods and experiments. A discharge formation model accounts for (a) avalanche ionization that depends on the local electric field and gas density, (b) electron diffusion, and (c) gas heating and expansion. The theory predicts that local overheating of the gas is responsible for the onset of arcing, that space charges are damped, and that the discharge uniformity is limited due to fluctuations of the starting electron density which must be large compared with 10/sup 2/ cm/sup -3/. A conceptive description based on perturbation elements extends the range of qualitative validity of the theoretical model and facilitates the understanding of homogeneity measurements. Both onset of arcing and preionization requirements are in good agreement with experimental data. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Institute of Applied Physics, University of Berne, Switzerland
• OSTI ID: 7145346
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 47:11; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON DENSITY
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FLUIDS
FOURIER ANALYSIS
GAS LASERS
GASES
GLOW DISCHARGES
INSTABILITY
IONIZATION
IONIZED GASES
LASERS
PLASMA INSTABILITY