Simulation of O_2(^1Δ) yields in mixtures of O2 and inert gases in low pressure plasmas
Abstract
Current trends in pumping chemical oxygen-iodine lasers (COIL) involve producing the O_2(^1Δ) energy donor in electric discharges, thereby circumventing the hazards and complexity of conventional O_2(^1Δ) production via liquid chemistries. In this work we have investigated the scaling of O_2(^1Δ) yield with energy deposition in mixtures of O2 with He and Ar in rf discharges at pressures of a few to 10 Torr using a global plasma kinetics model. The global model was modified to address steady-state plug flow with one-dimensional gas hydrodynamics. We found that O_2(^1Δ) yield increases linearly with energy deposition per molecule of O2 up to a few eV per molecule, with yields peaking around 40 percent near 10 eV. We also found that further increases in energy deposition serve only to increase gas dissociation and heating, thereby reducing the O_2(^1Δ) yield. We will also discuss secondary effects from other parameters such as gas mixture and pressure, including results from a one-dimensional hydrodynamics model.
- Publication:
-
APS Annual Gaseous Electronics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- October 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003APS..GECFT2007S