Optical characteristics of barrier discharge plasma based on mixtures of cadmium diiodide vapors with gases

The spectral, integrated, and working life characteristics of the radiation from atmospheric pressure gas discharge plasma based on multicomponent mixtures (cadmium diiodide with helium and small admixtures of molecular nitrogen and xenon) are analyzed. A pulsed barrier discharge (pulse repetition rates 5000, 5500, and 6000 Hz; pulse duration {approx}150 ns) is used both to produce the gas discharge plasma and to excite the components of the working mixture. Visible radiation is detected from excimer molecules of cadmium monoiodide and cadmium, xenon, and krypton atoms. Regular features are found in the variations of optical plasma characteristics with pumping pulse repetition rate and with component and quantitative mixture composition.