Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-23-2018
Abstract
Simulations of an α-mode radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge are performed for varying mixtures of argon and helium at pressures ranging from 200 to 500 Torr using both zero and one-dimensional models. Metastable densities are analyzed as a function of argon-helium mixture and pressure to determine the optimal conditions, maximizing metastable density for use in an optically pumped rare gas laser. Argon fractions corresponding to the peak metastable densities are found to be pressure dependent, shifting from approximately 15% Ar in He at 200 Torr to 10% at 500 Torr. A decrease in metastable density is observed as pressure is increased due to a diminution in the reduced electric field and a quadratic increase in metastable loss rates through Ar*2 formation. A zero-dimensional effective direct current model of the dielectric barrier discharge is implemented, showing agreement with the trends predicted by the one-dimensional fluid model in the bulk plasma.
Source Publication
Journal of Applied Physics
Recommended Citation
D. J. Emmons, D. E. Weeks, B. Eshel, G. P. Perram; Metastable Ar(1s5) density dependence on pressure and argon-helium mixture in a high pressure radio frequency dielectric barrier discharge. Journal of Applied Physics 28 January 2018; 123 (4): 043304. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5009337
Comments
© 2018 Author(s), published under an exclusive license with American Institute of Physics.
AFIT Scholar, as the repository of the Air Force Institute of Technology, furnishes the published Version of Record for this article in accordance with the sharing policy of the publisher, AIP Publishing. A 12-month embargo was observed.
This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in Journal of Applied Physics 123 (4): 043304 as fully cited below and may be found at DOI:10.1063/1.5009337.