A Probable Breakdown Mechanism in the Electron Beam Sustained CO2 Laser.
Abstract
A stable high-pressure electric discharge is produced using an electron-beam to ionize the gas in the CO2 -N2 -He laser. The important electron loss process in this type of discharge are recombination and attachment. The prominent instability in the nonself-sustaining discharge is the streamer which leads to arcing and complete breakdown of the gas. A qualitative analysis of streamer formation based on the ionization and resultant electron production of secondary electrons of setup an avalanche starting the chain which produces a highly conductive channel and results in the complete breakdown of the gas is presented. The onset of streamer formation at the anode is aided by local release and ionization of neutral atoms. The resulting increase of the plasma pressure leads to an increase of the potential and the onset of unipolar arcing. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA105809
Entities
People
- Rodney Deayne Timm
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School