Electron temperature and density in argon ion laser discharges

Abstract

Kinetic theory is used to calculate the electron temperature and drift velocity in a continuous argon ion laser discharge. The calculated electron mean energies range from 1.0-7.5 eV, increasing with current density to the power. The calculated drift velocities range from ∼1-25 × 106 cm/sec. From these parameters, the electron density is obtained at typical current densities: At 500 A/cm2 the electron density is found to substantially exceed 1015 cm-3. Some consequences of these drift velocities and densities are discussed. © 1969 The American Institute of Physics.