Stability region studies of CO₂ gas laser mixture RF capacitative discharges

¹ Laser Research Laboratory, Center for Applied Physical Sciences, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
² Laser Research Laboratory, Center for Applied Physical Sciences, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia Optoelectronics and Laser Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK

Corresponding author: smayub@kfupm.edu.sa

Received: 4 September 1998
Revised: 5 January 1999
Accepted: 5 January 1999
Published online: 15 April 1999

Abstract

Results on the stability regions of alpha (α) to gamma (γ) transition for CO₂ gas laser mixture 3He:1CO₂:1N₂ RF capacitative discharges with and without the addition of Xe are presented in terms of current, voltage and power characteristics. Measurements have also been made of the mean electron energy, neutral gas temperature and time averaged visible emission for different electrode separations, frequencies and intermediate pressures. It is found that the Xe addition has increased the neutral gas temperature and transition input power, while it has decreased the mean electron energy and transition voltage. The time averaged visible emission has shown strong CO and NO emission from the discharge.