ELECTRON ENERGY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS AND VIBRATIONAL EXCITATION RATES IN CO2 LASER MIXTURES

Abstract

The electron energy distribution function has been calculated for the plasma of a CO2–N2–He mixture using available electron—molecule cross-section data. Rates at which electrons transfer energy to the inelastic levels of CO2 and N2 were then determined. With this information, the relationship of the various electron—molecule energy exchange processes to laser performance was studied. For conditions typical of CO2 lasers, approximately 17% of the power transferred to the CO2 and N2 was found to be available for conversion to optical power. Estimates of maximum available optical power were made and found to be consistent with experimental values.