O 2 ( a   Δ 1 g ) production in flowing Ar–O2 surface-wave microwave discharges: Possible use for oxygen-iodine laser excitation

Herein we present the calculations conducted on an Ar–O2 surface-wave microwave discharge and its afterglow, and show that this system can be effectively used for the oxygen-iodine laser excitation. It is demonstrated that at pressures higher than 10 mbar O2(a) yields higher than the threshold yield required for positive gain can be achieved along the afterglow. Additionally, the density of O(P3) atoms, which can quench the I(P21/2) excited state, can be tuned to the desired level.