Fyzikální ústav Akademie věd ČR

Investigated with a financial support of the Grant GA ČR (see Projects)

Experimental and theoretical research on discharge generator of singlet (Discharge Singlet Oxygen Generator) for a DOIL (Discharge Oxygen-Iodine Laser)

A discharge generator of singlet oxygen, O₂(¹Δ), was originally proposed and constructed on principle of hybrid plasma of DC arc/RF discharge. Neutral molecular oxygen is introduced in argon plasma jet formed by this discharge, and kinetic properties of such non-equilibrium plasma should be beneficial for efficiency of O₂(¹Δ) generation. In this experimental arrangement, O₂(¹Δ) can be formed at higher gas pressure than in a RF, MW or DC discharge. Preliminary theoretical results of 1-D modelling of this plasma system showed that a thermal dissociation of molecular oxygen can compete with the process of O₂(¹Δ) generation, however, an unfavourable effect of oxygen atoms on lasing can be substantially eliminated by adding some suitable gas trace. Currently, the discharge parameters are optimized on the constructed DSOG device, and preparatory work for starting O₂(¹Δ) generation is under way.