The influence of negative ions in helium-oxygen barrier discharges: I. Laser photodetachment experiment

This work is the experimental part of a comprehensive study that aims to understand the influence of negative ions on the development of atmospheric pressure barrier discharges in electronegative systems. The investigations will be complemented by a 1D numerical fluid simulation. Laser photodetachment experiments were performed in a glow-like barrier discharge operated in helium with admixtures of oxygen up to 1 vol.% at a gas pressure of 500 mbar. The discharge gap between the glass-coated electrodes was 3 mm. The discharge properties were characterized by electrical measurements and optical emission spectroscopy. Laser photodetachment of O-, O-2(-), and O-3(-) was studied using the fundamental and second harmonic wavelength of a Nd-YAG laser. The laser photodetachment of negative ions influences the breakdown characteristics when the laser is fired during the prephase of the discharge only. The breakdown voltage is reduced, which indicates an enhanced pre-ionization initiated by the detached electrons. Systematic variations in the laser pulse in time, the axial laser beam position, the laser pulse energy, and the laser wavelength provided detailed knowledge on this process. The investigation underlines the importance of the discharge prephase in general and aims to differentiate between the negative ion species O-, O-2(-), and O-3(-).