Vol. 11, issue 02-03, article # 9

Abstract:

The one-dimensional model of plasma, describing it as a system of parallel resistors, is used to study the influence of the active medium preionization on the electric discharge that pumps a stabilized electric-discharge XeCl*-laser. The technique of initiating the discharge is based on the use of a preliminary low-current electric discharge that provides for obtaining a homogeneous discharge plasma. The model uses the time-dependent Boltzmann equation for describing the electron kinetics and allows for the electron-electron collisions as well as quite a complete kinetic scheme for active plasma particles and photons, and a system of equations describing the electric circuitry for the discharge pumping. In our investigations we have shown that the presence of regions with the initially enhanced density of electrons in the discharge may cause development of inhomogeneities in plasma and thus disturb the spatial homogeneity of the output radiation. The impact of spatial distribution of preionizing electrons, HCl donor, and of the low-current preliminary discharge on the high-current discharge is discussed.