Population of 2p 55s levels of neon in He-Ne plasma: I. The evolution of mechanisms in the discharge and the afterglow

The spectroscopic study of population processes of neon 2p ⁵5s states was carried out in helium afterglow with small admixture of neon at PHe = 38.1 torr, [He]/[Ne]=10^?5 with pulsed discharge afterglow in helium with small admixture of neon (pressure equal to 38.1 mm Hg; ). It is established that the main mechanism of population of 3s ₂ level (in Paschen’s notation) in the discharge and the initial after-glow is the excitation transfer from metastable atoms of He(2¹ S ₀). The other three levels—3s ₃, 3s ₄, and 3s ₅—corresponding to 2p ⁵5s configuration are populated in the afterglow as a result of the dissociative recombination HeNe⁺ of ions with electrons. The same process is also the main channel of population of 3s ₂ level in the late afterglow phase, when the concentration of He(2¹ S ₀) atoms is small. The hypothesis of recombination mechanism is confirmed by observation of the response of line intensities to pulsed electron heating. The partial coefficients of dissociative recombination into 2p ⁵5s states are estimated.     

Anomalous behavior of optogalvanic signal in a miniature neon discharge lamp

A strong optogalvanic effect has been observed in a negative glow of a miniature neon discharge lamp using tunable pulse dye laser pumped by a copper vapor laser. A comparative study on temporal evolution of optogalvanic signal in a positive and negative dynamic resistance region of the discharge is described. Dye laser beam was tuned to various neon transitions 1s_i → 2p_j (Paschen notations) within 570-617 nm wavelength range. Anomalous behavior of optogalvanic signal was observed at 588.2 nm for (1s₅ → 2p₂) neon transition at low discharge current (<220 μA). This anomalous behavior is the attributes of damped oscillations of optogalvanic signal that correlate with negative dynamic resistance (dV/di < 0) of the discharge. Penning ionization at low discharge current and small energy mismatch is assumed to be the main cause of the negative dynamic resistance. Penning ionization process has been explained by resonantly ionizing energy transfer via collisions between neon buffer gas atoms in the lowest metastable state (1s₅) and electrode sputtered atoms in ground state using their partial energy level diagram.     

Magnetic coherence transfer induced by discharge radiation and the effect of radiation trapping on the lifetime of the hidden alignment of Ne terms

The dichroism of a neon gas discharge plasma in a weak magnetic field is investigated by scanning the 3s ₂-2p ₄ transition by monochromatic laser radiation. Magneto-optical resonances of the intrinsic macroscopic alignment and hidden alignment of the 2p ₄ level are separated. Against the background of these resonances, resonances attributed to coherence transfer from the 1s _{2, 4, 5} levels and the birefringence of the wings of the nearest absorption lines from the 1s _{4, 5} levels are observed. A new type of alignment is revealed—integral hidden alignment, whose lifetime, in contrast to the case with macroscopic alignment, increases without bound with increasing radiation trapping.     

Emission characteristics of a barrier discharge in an argon-freon-water vapor mixture in the UV-VUV spectral range

Optical characteristics of an ArCl*-OH* lamp excited by a nanosecond barrier discharge are studied. This discharge is a source of the ArCl (B → X), (D’ → A’), and OH(A → X) molecular band emission with peaks at 175, 258, and 309 nm, respectively. The intensity of the barrier discharge plasma radiation is optimized as a function of the CCl₄ vapor partial pressure at p(Ar) = 24 kPa and p(H₂O) = 10–20 Pa.     

Acoustic characteristics of a barrier-discharge XeCl excilamp

The generation of an acoustic signal by means of voltage pulses (f = 15 kHz) applied to the electrodes of a barrier-discharge excilamp based on a Xe/Cl₂ = (50?C500)/1 mixture kept at a pressure of 5?C500 Torr is studied. It is shown that, from the time variation of the acoustic signal intensity, one can judge the time instant the excilamp starts operating in a steady mode. Optimal (in power and efficiency) operating conditions of the excilamp are found (Xe/Cl² = 240/1, p = 98 Torr, ?? ?? 9.5%). It is experimentally demonstrated that the discharge energy at a low pressure is spent largely on heating the gas. This is indicative of the volume heat release and volume glow discharge (as the pressure grows, the efficiency of this source of energy consumption drops and more and more energy is spent on acoustic vibration excitation). Under higher pressures, the Fourier spectrum of the acoustic signal becomes richer, the intensity of the spectrum rises, and the dispersion of the signal grows. At very high pressures, the intensity of the acoustic signal drops to a level corresponding to the natural vibrations of the excilamp envelope without the discharge (when the discharge is quenched, the Fourier spectrum of the signal becomes depleted and contains only harmonics corresponding to the carrier frequency of voltage pulses from the power source).     

Doppler-free optogalvanic spectroscopy using an infrared color center laser

We have used a cw color center laser near 2.6 μm to study highly excited states in helium and neon atoms by Doppler- free intermodulated optogalvanic spectroscopy in a hollow cathode discharge tube. For helium n = 4 to 6 transitions, the resolution was limited to about 320 MHz (FWHM) by Holtzmark broadening due to the presence of charged particles in the discharge. Lines as narrow as 60 MHz were observed for neon 3s₅-5p₁₀.     

Two-photon time-resolved optogalvanic signals of neon

In this work, temporal evolution of two-photon laser optogalvanic signals of neon has been studied. Optogalvanic signals for four transitions from the metastable 2p⁵3s[3/2]₂ state to 2p⁵4d′[3/2]₁, 2p⁵4d′[3/2]₂, 2p⁵4d′[5/2]₃ and 2p⁵4d′[5/2]₂ states were recorded over a range of discharge currents (3.4–9 mA). It was found that the shape of the optogalvanic signal was strongly dependent on the discharge current so that its peak shifted to shorter times and its amplitude increased with the discharge current. The decay rates of the 4d states, calculated from the optogalvanic signals, were found to increase linearly with the discharge current in the range of 6.2–9 mA. However, for the range of 3.4–5.4 mA, the decay rates were observed to slightly decrease with the discharge current.     

Generation of H− ions in a low-pressure xenon-hydrogen discharge. I

A theory of a low-pressure discharge in a xenon-molecular hydrogen mixture is developed. It is shown that, in such a discharge, at an interelectrode distance of L = 1 cm and a total plasma pressure of p ₀ ～ 1 Torr, the density of negative hydrogen ions produced via the dissociative attachment of thermal electrons to vibrationally excited molecules H₂ can reach a value as high as N_H ^? ≥ 10¹² cm^?3. According to calculations, the electron temperature in discharge operating regimes under study attains T _e ≈ 1?2 eV, which corresponds to the maximum of the e-v exchange rate constant of H₂ molecules. This ensures a relatively high rate of vibrational pumping of H₂ molecules in the discharge.     

Relationship of the laser-induced population perturbation of excited levels with the dynamical optogalvanic signal in a discharge plasma

For a pulsed-laser excitation of various neon transitions (1s_j → 2p_k) in a glow discharge the population perturbations in the upper and lower levels are measured by emission and absorption spectroscopy, and the dynamical optogalvanic signals are observed. We propose that the population perturbation in the lower levels (1s₂–1s₅) as a whole is responsible for the optogalvanic signal, and that metastable-level populations determine its decay characteristics. The sign reversal of the optogalvanic signal that depends on the excitation condition is interpreted in this context.     

Lithium-ion conductivity in the novel La1/3−xLi3xNbO3 solid solution with perovskite-related structure

The stoichiometric range, crystal chemistry, ionic conductivity and electrochemical window of the La_1/3−xLi_3xNbO₃ solid solution with a perovskite-related structure have been studied. The range of existence of the solid solution appears to be 0≤x≤0.06. These niobates have a basic diagonal unit cell a≈√2a_p b√2a_p c≈2a_p. Ionic conductivity of the materials and its dependence with the composition and temperature have been examined. We have found that the highest conductivity value is 4.3×1O⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 300 K for x=0.04. The electrochemical window of the compounds has been investigated by potentiostatic discharge and charge. Electrochemical experiments show that the use of the materials as solid electrolytes in secondary batteries is limited down to 1.75 V using Li metal as anode.     

Outlook for parameters of CW copper-vapor lasers

Results of numerical experiments performed for a CW copper-vapor laser are presented. Calculations give an output power of about 15 W and a laser efficiency of the order of 0.1% relative to the discharge power. Strictly specified ranges of the main initial parameters are determined in which CW lasing is possible:p _Cu=0.26–0.69 mm Hg,p _Ne=0.4–1.2 mm Hg,E=40–125 V/cm.     

Lebensdauern und Oszillatorstärken im Sr I- und Ca I-Spektrum

Radiative lifetimes of some highly excited levels in Sr I were measured by zero-field level crossing technique. These levels have been populated using optical excitation starting from the metastable 4d 5s ¹ D ₂ or 5s5p ³ P _2,1,0 states. The high population of these metastable levels necessary for the experiments was obtained by a discharge in the pure Sr vapour burning in the atomic beam oven. The following lifetimes have been determined (in units of 10^?8 sec):τ(5s 6s³ S ₁)=1.09±0.11,τ(5s 5d ³D₁)=1.67±0.10,τ(5s4f¹ F ₃)=3.43±0.28,τ(4d5p ¹ D ₂)=2.19±0.16,τ(5p ^{2 3}P₁)=0.88±0.12,τ(5p ^{2 3} P ₂)=0.78 _?0.10 ^+0.26 . These results are compared with lifetimes derived from oscillator strengths given in the literature, and the reliability of different oscillator strengths tables is discussed. A corresponding discussion is given for radiative lifetimes of some levels in Ca I published previously. Good agreement with data derived from arc emission oscillator strengths has been found. Ca lifetimes are fairly well consistent with oscillator strengths calculated with semiempirical scaled Thomas-Fermi-wave functions.     

Study of emission from discharge in a Ne-InI mixture, aiming to create a laser operating by a self-terminating transition at 451.1 nm in In

With the aim of creating a laser operating by a self-terminating transition in the blue spectral region, it is suggested to use the 6s ² S _1/2→5p ² P _3/2 transition at 451.1 nm in In atoms. Indium iodide was used as a donor of In atoms for an active medium in a discharge. Emission and absorption spectra of the active medium, as well as the time characteristics of pumping pulses and emission due to transitions from the resonance level of In, were measured.     

Scaling law for a low-pressure gas breakdown in a homogeneous DC electric field

Gas breakdown in nitrogen, air, and oxygen in a dc electric field at various interelectrode distances L is studied experimentally. A scaling law for a low-pressure gas breakdown U _dc =f(pL, L/R) is deduced. According to this scaling law, the breakdown voltage U _dc is a function not only of the product of the gas pressure p and the gap length L, but also of the ratio of the gap length L to the chamber radius R. It is shown that, for any dimensions of the cylindrical discharge chamber (in the range of L/R under investigation), the ratio of the breakdown electric field to the gas pressure p at the minimum of the ignition curve remains constant: (E _dc /p)_min≈const. A method for calculating the ignition curve in a cylindrical discharge chamber with arbitrary values of L and R is proposed.     

A redetermination of the lifetime of the 4s 5s (3S1) level in Ca by high-rate electron—photon stepwise pulse excitation

The radiative lifetime of the 4s 5s (³S₁) level in Ca was measured using two-step excitation of atoms in a beam which traverses a cold-cathode Penning discharge, where, by electron impact the atoms are excited to the metastable 4s 5p (³P_{2, 1, 0}) states. Immediately thereafter, the beam is crossed with a pulse-modulated cw dye laser beam to populate the final state selectively. Using a pulse-modulation frequency of 0.5 MHz, a preliminary value of 12.4 ± 0.5 ns was obtained with a statistical error of 0.4%. The wide limits of systematic error reflect an assumed uncertainty in the excitation function and possible distortion in the fluorescence decay requiring further study.     

Numerical investigation of natural convection heat transfer of nanofluids in a Γ shaped cavity

This paper analyzes the heat transfer and fluid flow of natural convection in a Γ shaped enclosure filled with Al₂O₃/Water nanofluid that operates under differentially heated walls. The Navier–Stokes and energy equations are solved numerically. Heat transfer and fluid flow are examined for parameters of non-uniform nanoparticle size, mean nanoparticle diameter, nanoparticle volume fraction, Grashof number and different geometry of enclosure. Finite volume method is used for discretizating positional expressions, and the forth order Rung-Kuta is used for discretizating time expressions. Also an artificial compressibility technique was applied to couple continuity to momentum equations. Results indicate that using nanofluid causes an increase in the heat transfer and the Nusselt number so that for R = 0.001 in Gr = 10³, the Nusselt number 25%, in Gr = 10⁴ 26%, and in Gr = 10⁵ 28% increases. Furthermore; by decreasing the mean diameters of nanoparticles, Nusselt number increases. By increasing R parameter (d_p,min/d_p,max) and nano particle volume fraction, Nusselt number increases.     

The relationship between current and channel diameter of 30 cm long laboratory sparks

In this study the dependence of channel diameter of 30 cm long sparks on discharge current is analyzed using a photographic technique. The results show the radial channel intensity variation follows a Gaussian distribution. The channel diameter (D), defined as the width of the intensity profile at 10% level, increases with the increasing peak current (I_p) up to 3 kA. The relationship between the two parameters can be represented by the equation, D = 8.36 ln(I_p) + 1.598, where D is in mm and I_p is in kA. The experimental results agree reasonably well with the available theory.     

Decrease in the static electric gas breakdown voltage in the presence of free electrons in a discharge gap

The dependence of the gas breakdown voltage U _B on the anode-cathode spacing d, pressure p, and other gas characteristics in the presence of a steady external ionizer in the discharge gap was determined within the avalanche discharge theory. The case was considered where the spatial charge created by the external ionizer did not distort the electric field in the discharge gap. In the absence of external ionizer the obtained dependence comes down to the well-known expression for the gas breakdown voltage (the Paschen law).     

Mittlere Energien und Driftgeschwindigkeiten von Elektronen in Stickstoff,Argon und Xenon,ermittelt aus Bildverstärkeraufnahmen von Elektronenlawinen

Local and temporal development of electron avalanches in a pulsed discharge gap (d=3,00 cm) are investigated in N₂, Ar, Xe and mixtures of N₂ and CH₄ by simultaneously applying high gain image intensifier- and photomultiplier techniques. Electron drift velocities are obtained from time-of-flight and way-of-flight measurements in these gases. The mean energy of agitation of the electrons is derived both from electron mobility and avalanche image trace profile (diffusion broadening). The results obtained (for 20°C), being in fair agreement with one another, read N₂: (4·6...5·0) eV forE/p=50...200 V/cm Torr; Ar: (9·0...9·5) eV forE/p=24... 45 V/cm Torr; Xe: (4·8...5·0) eV forE/p= 40... 90 V/cm Torr; CH₄(10% N₂): 6·3 eV forE/p= 89 V/cm Torr. The mean energy of agitation does not change very much withE/p in the ranges investigated. Some results concerning the radiation properties of these gases are included such as lifetime of the excited states, quenching pressure etc.