Extinction of 10.6 μm laser radiation by free electrons in an argon discharge at atmospheric pressure

Experiments will be described in which the extinction of 10.6 μm photons by free electrons in a single filamentary discharge is studied. The extinction ranges from 3 to 10 percent over a path length of 1 cm, depending on the argon flow rate. The spatio-temporally averaged electron density in the filament is more than 10^15 cm^(-3), as determined by Stark broadening of the hydrogen alpha (656.28 nm) and 4p'[1/2]-4s[3/2]^0 argon I (696.54 nm) lines. Experiments indicate that the observed extinction of 10.6 μm is attributable to a combination of inverse bremsstrahlung and a negative lens effect, and the results will be compared to theoretical calculations based on Boltzmann's equation. The potential application of such high electron density plasmas to studies of fundamental plasma phenomena, as well as optical applications, will be discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Park, Sehyun

Contributors dc:contributor

• Eden, James Gary

• Inverse Bremsstrahlung Negative lens effect Stark Broadening

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Sehyun Park

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92855

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92855