Transverse gas flow RF slab discharge generator of singlet delta oxygen for oxygen-iodine laser

Abstract

Results of experimental and theoretical study of singlet delta oxygen (SDO) production in transverse gas flow RF slab discharge for an electric discharge oxygen-iodine laser are presented. The electric discharge facility operating in both pulse-periodic and CW mode was manufactured: gas flow duct including multi-path cryogenic heat exchanger, dielectric slab channel, and slab electrode system incorporated in the channel for RF discharge ignition. Experiments on SDO production in transverse gas flow RF discharge were carried out. SDO production depending on gas mixture content and pressure, gas flow velocity, and RF discharge power was experimentally studied. It was shown that SDO yield increased with gas pressure decrease, gas flow deceleration and helium dilution of oxygen at the same input power. CW RF discharge was demonstrated to be the most efficient for SDO production as compared to pulse-periodic RF discharge with the same averaged input power. SDO yield was demonstrated to be not less than 10 percent. The model developed was further modified to do simulations of CW and pulse periodic RF discharges. A reasonable agreement between experimental and theoretical data on SDO production in CW and pulse-periodic RF discharges in oxygen is observed.