Interaction of near-IR laser radiation with plasma of a continuous optical discharge

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Plasma Physics Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063780X15110100· OSTI ID:22471833

Zimakov, V. P.; Kuznetsov, V. A.; Solovyov, N. G.; Shemyakin, A. N.; Shilov, A. O.

The interaction of 1.07-μm laser radiation with plasma of a continuous optical discharge (COD) in xenon and argon at a pressure of p = 3–25 bar and temperature of T = 15 kK has been studied. The threshold power required to sustain COD is found to decrease with increasing gas pressure to P{sub t} < 30 W in xenon at p > 20 bar and to P{sub t} < 350 W in argon at p > 15 bar. This effect is explained by an increase in the coefficient of laser radiation absorption to 20−25 cm{sup –1} in Xe and 1−2 cm{sup –1} in Ar due to electronic transitions between the broadened excited atomic levels. The COD characteristics also depend on the laser beam refraction in plasma. This effect can be partially compensated by a tighter focusing of the laser beam. COD is applied as a broadband light source with a high spectral brightness.

• OSTI ID: 22471833
• Journal Information: Plasma Physics Reports, Vol. 42, Issue 1; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2016 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-780X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ARGON
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
LASER RADIATION
LIGHT SOURCES
PLASMA
REFRACTION
XENON