Theoretical analysis of the CO2 molecule decomposition and contaminants yield in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharge

Abstract

Theoretical studies on the phenomena of a CO2 molecule decomposition and contaminants yield in transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser discharge plasma have been conducted by our comprehensive plasma kinetic model. In addition to the reliable 175 plasma kinetic rate equations, the excitation circuit and the steady-state Boltzmann equations were included in the theoretical model in order to exactly simulate the time-dependent discharge condition. When the total capacitance and the charging voltage of the main discharge capacitor were varied over a wide range, the amount of the CO2 molecule decomposed per discharge pulse was found to be almost in proportion to only the deposited energy density: the energy deposited in the unit laser gas volume. It was also found that the amounts of CO, O2, O3, N2O, NO2, and NO yielded per discharge pulse increased almost proportionally with the increase of deposited energy density. The amount that the CO2 molecule decomposition and contaminants yielded against the unit deposited energy density are summarized in this article. Moreover, the effect of the addition of CO, H2, and H2O to the laser gas mixture on the suppression of the CO2 molecule decomposition are also studied.