Characterization of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet for surface modification and thin film deposition

In this paper, an experimental study is presented to characterize a commercially available atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) kINPen which can be used for local surface modification, e.g. changing the wettability as well as for thin film deposition with silicon-organic and metal-organic precursors to enhance scratch resistance or to lower the gas permeability. Characterization of the jet discharge has been carried out by three methods: (i) measurement of the energy influx from the jet plasma to a substrate by a calorimetric probe, (ii) spatial resolved investigation of the plasma beam by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and (iii) observation of the plasma jet by video imaging. The deposited SiO _x and AlO _x films were analyzed by XPS measurements.     

Screening of the dust-particle charge in a plasma with an external ionization source

An asymptotic theory of the screening of the dust-particle charge in a plasma with an external ionization source has been developed. It has been shown analytically that the screening of the charge of a dust particle adsorbing the charge of charged plasma particles that fall on it is not generally described by the Debye theory. The screening radius is determined by the relation between the coefficients β_ei and β_L = 4πek _i (k _i is the ion mobility) of the electron-ion and Langevin recombinations, respectively. When β_L ? β _ei , the screening radius is much larger than the electron Debye radius. It has been shown that the contribution of the ion component of an isothermal plasma to screening is equal to the electron contribution if the coefficient of the electron-ion recombination is twice or more larger than the Langevin coefficient of the ion recombination, β_ei ≥ 2β_L.     

Kinetic Description of the Stationary Band-Like Weakly Turbulent Beam Discharge Plasma in Hydrogen. I. Basic Equations — Numerical Approach — Ionization and Dissociation Budget

On the basis of the electron Boltzmann equation and of the balances for the charge carriers (e, H⁺, H₂⁺, H₃⁺), the H-atoms and the metastable H(2s)-atoms for the H/H₂-mixture the behaviour of the weakly turbulent, band-like electron-beam discharge plasma in hydrogen has been calculated taking into account the main collision and transport processes. In dependence of the normalized discharge length, the life time of the neutral particles in the band-like plasma and the electron beam generated turbulence energy density the ionization and dissociation budget and in particular the most important electron-heavy particle collision rates, which appear in the balance equation system, are investigated in the present part of our paper. In a second part the results related to the budget of the ions and the metastable atomic state will be reported and an analysis of the main processes in the balances will be made.     

The Ethylene Hot Band Spectrum near 3000 cm

A new hot band spectrum of ethylene has been recorded from 2970 to 3015 cm⁻¹at low rotational temperatures in a seeded molecular jet, using vibrational energy transfer from SF₆to C₂H₄. An IR–IR double resonance technique has been applied to pump the lower states and subsequently probe the hot bands. Two new hot bands, ν₁₀+ ν₁₁− ν₁₀and ν₇+ ν₁₁− ν₇, have been found. The weak hot band starting from ν₇has been identified by direct labeling of some rotational levels in the ν₇manifold. High resolution FTIR spectra at ambient and at elevated temperatures have been recorded, too; it has thus become possible to extend the analysis to higher rotational quantum numbers. The previously analyzed ν₉+ ν₁₀level has been reinvestigated and ab-type Coriolis interaction with the nearby ν₇+ ν₁₁state has been observed. Rotational energy levels of ν₇+ ν₁₁and of ν₉+ ν₁₀have been fitted simultaneously, taking into account the local perturbations due to five dark states. From the shift of allK≠ 0 levels to higher frequencies in the ν₁₀+ ν₁₁state, a globala-type Coriolis interaction with ν₈+ 2ν₁₂has been identified.     

Charge screening in a plasma with an external ionization source

An asymptotic theory for the screening of the electric field of a dust particle or a spherical probe in a plasma with an external steady and/or internal (proportional to the electron density) gas ionization source has been developed for the first time. It has been established that the screening of the charge of a spherical body adsorbing the charge of the incident plasma particles is described by a superposition of two exponentials with different screening constants. The two exponentials are retained even in the absence of nonequilibrium fluxes on the macroparticle and only in the special case of an isothermal plasma does the screening become Debye one. The screening length is determined by the ratio of the electron-ion, β_ei, and Langevin, β_L = 4πeμ_i (where μ_i is the ion mobility), recombination coefficients. If β_L ? β_ei, then it is much larger than the electron Debye length. The ions in an isothermal plasma have been found to give the same contribution to the screening as the electrons if the electron-ion recombination coefficient exceeds the Langevin ion recombination coefficient by a factor of 2 or more, β_ei ≥ 2β_L. The Vlasov equation is used to analyze the asymptotic behavior of the macroparticle potential in a collisionless plasma.     

Runaway of electrons in dense gases and mechanism of generation of high-power subnanosecond beams

New understanding of mechanism of the runaway electrons beam generation in gases is presented. It is shown that the Townsend mechanism of the avalanche electron multiplication is valid even for the strong electric fields when the electron ionization friction on gas may be neglected. A non-local criterion for a runaway electron generation is proposed. This criterion results in the universal two-valued dependence of critical voltage U _cr on pd for a certain gas (p is a pressure, d is an interelectrode distance). This dependence subdivides a plane (U _cr , pd) onto the area of the efficient electron multiplication and the area where the electrons leave the gas gap without multiplication. On the basis of this dependence analogs of Paschen’s curves are constructed, which contain an additional new upper branch. This brunch demarcates the area of discharge and the area of e-beam. The mechanism of the formation of the recently created atomospheric pressure subnanosecond e-beams is discussed. It is shown that the beam of the runaway electrons is formed at an instant when the plasma of the discharge gap approaches to the runaway electrons is formed at an instant when the plasma of the discharge gap approaches to the anode. In this case a basic pulse of the electron beam is formed according to the non-local criterion of the runaway electrons generation. The role of the discharge gap preionization by the fast electrons, emitted from the plasma non-uniformities on the cathode, as well as a propagation of an electron multiplication wave from cathode to anode in a dense gas are considered.     

A new four-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface and predicted infrared spectra for the Ne–CS2 complex

A new four-dimensional (4D) ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for Ne–CS₂ involving the Q₁ and Q₃ normal modes for the ν₁ symmetric stretching vibration and ν₃ antisymmetric stretching vibration of CS₂ is presented. The PES is constructed at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triples [CCSD(T)]-F12 level with a large basis set including midpoint bond functions. Two vibrationally averaged potentials with CS₂ at the vibrational ground and ν₁ + ν₃ excited states are generated from the 4D potential. Each potential contains a T-shaped global minimum and two equivalent linear local minima. The rovibrational energy levels and bound states are calculated employing radial discrete variable representation/angular finite basis representation and the Lanczos algorithm. In addition, the predicted band origin shift is 0.2514 cm^?1 for Ne–CS₂. The spectroscopic parameters are also predicted.     

High-resolution rotational spectroscopy of iminosilylene,HNSi

By means of Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of a supersonic beam, the fundamental rotational transition of isotopic and vibrationally excited iminosilylene, HNSi, has been detected. In addition to seven isotopic species, vibrational satellite transitions from more than 30 vibrationally excited states, including the three fundamental modes, have been detected. Those from ν₂ are particularly intense, enabling detection of transitions from as high as (0,22⁰,0) (i.e. ～10,000 cm^?1 above ground). At high spectral resolution, well-resolved nitrogen quadrupole structure has been observed in nearly every transition. Excitation of ν₁ or ν₃ changes eQq(N) little, but eQq(N) systematically decreases with increasing excitation of the ν₂ bend, from a value of 0.376(5) MHz for (0,0⁰,0) to ?2.257(5) MHz for (0,20⁰,0). With the large amount of new data in hand, it has also been possible to determine the leading vibration–rotation constants (α_i and γ_i) for ν₂ or ν₃ to high precision, and derive a revised semi-empirical equilibrium structure for this fundamental triatomic molecule. Various electronic and molecular properties of iminosilylene have been calculated at the coupled cluster level of theory, and these generally agree well with experiment and previous calculations. An unsuccessful search for HSiN, a highly polar isomer calculated to lie nearly 3 eV above HNSi, is also reported.     

A study of NOX production in air heated by laser discharges: Effect of energy, wavelength, multiple discharges and pressure

An experimental study on the production of NO_X in air heated under the action of a concentrated laser beam is presented. In this experiment laser induced plasma was produced in air in a closed Teflon chamber of inner volume 1600 cm³ by focusing a laser beam with either the wavelength of 1064 or 532 nm from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The NO_X production was measured by chemiluminescence method and the possible effect of wavelengths, multiple discharges, and pressure on the yield of NO_X was studied. The results show that within the studied plasma energy range of 26–253 mJ for 532 nm beam and 16–610 mJ for 1064 nm beam, the NO_X production scales linearly with the dissipated plasma energy. For a given energy, 532 nm beam produces more NO_X in air at atmospheric pressure than the 1064 nm beam. In an attempt to see the possible influence of multiple discharges on the production of NO_X, discharges were created using 2–8 pulses with a repetition rate of 10 pulses per second in stationary air at atmospheric pressure. The results indicate that a certain amount of the NO_X created by a given pulse is destroyed by the subsequent pulses. In order to study the pressure dependence of the NO_X production, the pressure was varied from 16 to 100 kPa in the chamber and it was found that the NO_X production efficiency scales linearly with pressure.     

Device for Producing and Investigating an Electron Beam Plasma Discharge

A survey on the properties and applications of the beam plasma discharge is given. A device for the experimental investigation of this discharge is described in which a magnetically guided (H = 0.05?0.1 T), ribbonlike electron beam (eU = 0.5–5 KeV, I = 10^?3?1 A) passes through a working chamber (p = 0.1–10 Pa; l = 10 cm, ø = 22 cm). The beam plasma discharge is sustained by collective beam plasma interaction. First results concerning the wall current and the ignition of the discharge as dependent on beam parameters are presented.     

The OPERA experiment

The OPERA (oscillation project with emulsion-tracking apparatus) experiment aims to observe an unambiguous ν_π?ν_τ oscillation in the parameter region allowed by previous experiments. The OPERA detector will be installed in the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory, 732 km away from CERN, where the CNGS (CERN neutrino beam to Gran Sasso) ν_π beam will be produced. The signature of the presence of ν_τ's in the ν_π beam will be the detection of τ leptons produced by ν_τ interactions. Nuclear emulsions will be used for precise event reconstruction, while electronic detectors will be used for triggering.     

Role of the wall ablation in the operation of a 46.9 nmAr capillary discharge soft x‐ray laser

A capillary discharge pumped soft x‐ray laser operating at 46.9 nm on the 3p–3s transition of the Ne‐like Ar has been realized by pumping the active medium with a relatively slow current pulse (dI/dt ≈ 6 · 10¹¹ A/s). In order to study the role of the ablation in the production of the laser effect, the intensity of the amplified 46.9 nm line has been investigated using the same pumping current pulses in the plastic (polyacetal) and ceramic (Al₂O₃). We showed that the ablation of the capillary walls is unfavorable both for the compression and stability of the plasma and consequently for the soft x‐ray laser production. The amplification and lasing effects are observed only in the ceramic channel. The measurements of the line intensity at 46.9 nm showed the lasing with a gain‐length product of ≈ 9, a laser pulse energy of ≈ 5 μJ, a pulse duration of 1.3 ns and a beam divergence of ≈ 3.5 mrad. In addition, effect of the scaling of the time of lasing with the initial plasma diameter was demonstrated experimentally and compared with a one‐dimensional MHD model.     

Infrared laser velocity modulation spectrum of the ν3 fundamental band of HBCI+

The infrared spectrum of the ν₃ fundamental band of HBC1⁺ has been observed using the velocity modulation detection technique. The ion was produced in an ac glow discharge containing a mixture of H₂ and BC1₃. Thirty-two transitions of the fundamental band of the most naturally abundant isotopomer, H¹¹B³⁵C1⁺, between 1105 and 1170cm^?1 have been assigned. The ν₃ band origin and rotational constants have been determined to be ν₀ = 1121.5677(20)cm^?1, B ₀ = 0.63089(23)cm^?1 and B ₁ = 0.62699(21)cm^?1. A second series of lines have been attributed to the H¹¹B³⁷C1⁺ isotopomer, although it has not been possible to make an unambiguous J assignment of these lines.     

Effect of the parameters of the plasma channel produced by a high-current relativistic electron beam in dense gaseous media on the beam transportation stability

Results are presented from experimental studies of the time evolution of the plasma channel produced by a high-current electron beam (with an electron energy of E _e = 1.1 MeV, a beam current of I _b = 24 kA, and a pulse duration of t = 60 ns) in helium, nitrogen, neon, air, argon, krypton, xenon, and humid air (air: H₂O) at pressures from 1 to 760 Torr. It is shown that, in gases characterized by a small ratio of the collision frequency to the gas ionization rate u _i , the electron beam produces a broad high-conductivity plasma channel, such that R _b/R _p < 1, where R _b and R _p are the beam and channel radii, respectively. As a result, large-scale resistive hose instability is suppressed.     

Investigation on the optimal configuration design and discharge characteristics of the helicon plasma tube

Helicon discharge is characterized by its high ionization efficiency. In order to obtain the desired density, the configuration design of the helicon discharge tube is carried out, and the discharge characteristics are then studied to explore the correlation between the plasma parameters and the input discharge parameters. Finite‐length helicon discharge theory is employed to calculate the plasma resistance R _p, and then the optimal tube length L _s, the radius r _p, and the tube–antenna gap d are confirmed. The partial and energy loss mechanisms of the tube are investigated based on low‐pressure discharge particle collision theory. The results show that, for a 10‐cm‐long Nagoya III type antenna, with a tube radius of 4 cm and length of 20 cm, the R _p versus n _e curves have peak values at n _e higher than 10¹² cm⁻³ when the magnetic field intensity B ₀ ≥ 200 G. We find that a local minimum of P _loss exists when p ₀ is ∼1.5–3.0 mTorr; meanwhile, the radial confinement reduces T _e and P _loss at constant p ₀.     

Investigation of Gas Degradation in CO2 ? N2 Pulse Discharges I. Long Term Behaviour of Pulsed Laser Discharges in CO2 — N2 Gas Mixtures

The correlation between the plasma resistance and the laser output parameters has been investigated in pulsed CO₂ — N₂ discharges. The strong increase of the discharge resistance during gas degradation can be explained on the basis of strong attaching gas components. In degraded mixtures a supression of discharge instabilities together with the restoration of the laser pulse energy is possible by increasing the reduced electric field E/N temporarily.     

Line Positions and Intensities of the ν1+ ν2+ 3ν3, ν2+ 4ν3, and 3ν1+ 2ν2Bands of Ozone

Using a Fourier transform spectrometer, we have recorded the spectra of ozone in the region of 4600 cm⁻¹, with a resolution of 0.008 cm⁻¹. The strongest absorption in this region is due to the ν₁+ ν₂+ 3ν₃band which is in Coriolis interaction with the ν₂+ 4ν₃band. We have been able to assign more than 1700 transitions for these two bands. To correctly reproduce the calculation of energy levels, it has been necessary to introduce the (320) state which strongly perturbs the (113) and (014) states through Coriolis- and Fermi-type resonances. Seventy transitions of the 3ν₁+ 2ν₂band have also been observed. The final fit on 926 energy levels withJ_max= 50 andK_max= 16 gives rms = 3.1 × 10⁻³cm⁻¹and provides a satisfactory agreement of calculated and observed upper levels for most of the transitions. The following values for band centers are derived: ν₀(ν₁+ ν₂+ 3ν₃) = 4658.950 cm⁻¹, ν₀(3ν₁+ 2ν₂) = 4643.821 cm⁻¹, and ν₀(ν₂+ 4ν₃) = 4632.888 cm⁻¹. Line intensities have been measured and fitted, leading to the determination of transition moment parameters for the two bands ν₁+ ν₂+ 3ν₃and ν₂+ 4ν₃. Using these parameters we have obtained the following estimations for the integrated band intensities,S_V(ν₁+ ν₂+ 3ν₃) = 8.84 × 10⁻²²,S_V(ν₂+ 4ν₃) = 1.70 × 10⁻²², andS_V(3ν₁+ 2ν₂) = 0.49 × 10⁻²²cm⁻¹/molecule cm⁻²at 296 K, which correspond to a cutoff of 10⁻²⁶cm⁻¹/molecule cm⁻².     

Vibrational spectroscopy of tolane; Coriolis coupling between Raman-active modes of g symmetry

ABSTRACT

Vibrational spectroscopy of tolane (diphenylacetylene), which has 66 normal modes, has been advanced. Anharmonic wavenumber predictions were made with the quartic potential energy surface obtained with B3LYP/cc-pVTZ model and the second-order perturbation theory (VPT2). Infrared (IR) intensity and Raman activities were computed at the harmonic level. The IR spectrum of the crystal and Raman spectra of the liquid and the crystal tolane were newly recorded. The lingering problem of an excess of polarised Raman bands at wavenumbers appropriate for fundamentals, other than a_g modes, has now been attributed to Coriolis coupling within modes of g symmetry species. Consequently, D_2h point symmetry group has been confirmed for a planar tolane molecule. Assignments for almost all fundamentals of tolane are now secure. The assignment for ν₃₂ remains questionable. Remaining unassigned fundamentals are: ν₃₄ and ν₃₅, which, as a_u symmetry species, are IR- and Raman-inactive transitions, and ν₅₉(b_2u), which is predicted to have a very low wavenumber.     

Dirac-neutrino magnetic moment and the dynamics of a supernova explosion

The double conversion of neutrino chirality ν_L → ν_R → ν_L has been analyzed for supernova conditions, where the first stage is due to the interaction of the neutrino magnetic moment with plasma electrons and protons in the supernova core, and the second stage, due to the resonance spin flip of the neutrino in the magnetic field of the supernova envelope. It is shown that, in the presence of the neutrino magnetic moment in the range 10^?13 μ_B < μ_ν < 10^?12 μ_B and a magnetic field of ～10¹³ G between the neutrinosphere and the shock-stagnation region, an additional energy of about 10⁵¹ erg, which is sufficient for a supernova explosion, can be injected into this region during a typical shock-stagnation time.     

Experimental and computational study of the passage of an electron beam through the curvilinear element of the Drakon stellarator system in a tenuous plasma

Results are presented from the first stage of studies on the passage of an electron beam with energy 100–500 eV in a magnetic field of 300–700 Oe through the curvilinear solenoid of the KRéL unit, the latter being a prototype of the closing segment of the Drakon stellarator system, in the plasma-beam discharge regime. The ion density at the end of the curvilinear part of the chamber, n _i ≈8×10⁸–10¹⁰ cm⁻³, the electron temperature T _e ≈4–15 eV, and the positions at which the beam hits the target for different distances from it to the electron source are determined experimentally. The motion of the electron beam is computationally modeled with allowance for the space charge created by the beam and the secondary plasma. From a comparison of the experimentally measured trajectories and trajectories calculated for different values of the space charge, we have obtained an estimate for the unneutralized ion density of the order of 5×10⁷ cm⁻³. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 69, 22–26 (February 1999)