PLASMA RETURN CURRENT DISCHARGE

A discharge technique based on the use of an electron-beam-induced plasma return current to produce and heat large-volume plasmas is described. The results of discharge studies using this technique in attachment-dominated mixtures are presented. The results are found to be adequately described by a simple theory. The electron attachment rate by F2 inferred from these measurements agrees well with those of other workers. KrF laser action at 248 nm is reported in return-current discharge-excited mixtures of F 2/Kr/He.