VUV emission from a novel DBD-based radiation source

In all previous works on the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), the authors used two electrodes separated by one or more dielectric layers and a gas-filled gap between them. In this work a new DBD design is investigated, using ring electrodes (two or four) on the outside of a dielectric tube. The discharge inside the tube occurs as a result of the application of RF power (13.56 MHz). The VUV emission under high-pressure conditions for different gas mixtures is studied. VUV emission at 130.3 and 121.5 nm (Lyman-alpha) is obtained by using an argon-oxygen mixture, and an argon (or neon)-hydrogen mixture, respectively. The emission spectra, the power density, the total power, the lifetime and the stability will be discussed.