Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport coefficients in magnetically confined CO2 gas laser discharges

Abstract

A Monte Carte simulation of electrons emitted from the cathode of a CO2 gas laser discharge is presented. The influence of a perpendicular magnetic field on the electron transport coefficients has been studied. Data on transverse and perpendicular velocities and electron energy distributions are evaluated at various magnetic field types and strengths. Ionization coefficients and excitation coefficients of 27 useful energy levels of CO2, N2 and He are obtained at the same time. The result shows that the application of a magnetic field perpendicular to the electric field decreases the transverse drift velocity, the mean energy and thus the ionization coefficient. As a result, the magnetic field leads to a very high perpendicular velocity, which may be responsible for the stability of our discharge experiments (where a perpendicular magnetic field near the cathode is used to stabilize the direct current discharge of a CO2 gas laser and to gain a higher input power loading). It is also found that the magnetic field distributions, as well as the field strength, had great effects on the electron transport coefficients and the discharge properties.