Mass Spectrometry of the CO2 Laser Plasma.

Abstract

The neutral and ion chemistry of the CO2 laser mixture have been studied in detail by using a quadrupole mass spectrometer and a theoretical model. Experimentally, CO2 is observed to dissociate primarily by direct electron impact producing the dominant neutral species CO and O2. Little or no N2 dissociation occurs in a N2/Ar discharge; however, the dissociation of N2 increases when it is added to a mixture containing CO2. Consequently, the dominant nitrogen oxide in discharges containing CO2 and N2 is NO. The major positive ions are CO2(+), O2(+), CO(+), and N2(+); and the major negative ions are NO2(-), NO3(-), O2(-), O(-)and, CO3(-). CO2 dissociation is reduced by as much as 20% at a discharge current of 80mA with the addition of 2% H2. Techniques for using a mass spectrometer to sample from glow discharges are also discussed. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA104344

Entities

People

  • David E. Toodle

Organizations

  • Wright Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeronautical Laboratories
  • Air Force
  • Amplifiers
  • Carbon Dioxide Lasers
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Discharge Tubes
  • Electric Discharges
  • Electron Energy
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • Measurement
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Partial Pressure
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Rate Of Formation
  • Voltage

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics