US EPA

4332463 

Journal Article 

Excitation of mercury monohalides in the plasma of pulse-periodic discharge in mixtures of mercury dihalides and rare gases 

Malinin, AN 

1997 

1 

Laser Physics
ISSN: 1054-660X
EISSN: 1531-8494 

7 

5 

1032-1040 

WOS:A1997YB85600002 

Complex fundamental investigations devoted to the excitation of mercury monohalides in a gas-discharge plasma in mixtures of mercury dihalides with rare gases at atmospheric pressures have been carried out. To excite mercury monohalides, we employed glow discharge produced by periodic voltage pulses through a (dielectric-quartz glass) ''barrier.'' Spectral and temporal characteristics of gases have been studied. Discharge emission is mainly concentrated within electron-vibrational bands of the B-2 Sigma(1/2)(+) --> X-2 Sigma(1/2)(+) transition of mercury monohalide molecules. The waveform and the duration of radiation pulses coincide with the waveform and the duration of current pulses passing through the discharge. The radiation pulse is delayed with respect to the pumping pulse by less than 5 ns. Optimal conditions are revealed when HgCl*, HgBr*, and HgJ* monohalides in simultaneously excited mixtures of three mercury dihalides-HgCl2, HgBr2, and HgJ(2)-with helium and neon emit radiation pulses with close intensities. The performed experimental and theoretical studies are aimed at revealing the mechanism behind the excitation of the B-2 Sigma(1/2)(+) state of mercury monohalides (the upper level) in excimer lasers using mixtures of mercury dihalides and rare gases.