Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 April 1999
Results on the stability regions of alpha (α) to gamma (γ) transition for CO2 gas laser mixture 3He:1CO2:1N2 RF capacitative dischargeswith and without the addition of Xe are presented in terms of current, voltage andpower characteristics. Measurements have also been made of the mean electron energy,neutral gas temperature and time averaged visible emission for different electrodeseparations, frequencies and intermediate pressures. It is found that the Xe additionhas increased the neutral gas temperature and transition input power, while it hasdecreased the mean electron energy and transition voltage. The time averaged visibleemission has shown strong CO and NO emission from the discharge.