The characteristics and stability of high power transverse radio frequency discharges for waveguide CO₂slab laser excitation

The electrical features of a high power alpha-mode RF discharge at 125 MHz are investigated experimentally. An equivalent circuit description of the discharge is presented and a theoretical model proposed which accounts for the role of the near-electrode capacitive ion sheaths in stabilizing the discharge plasma region, and explains the increased overall discharge stability at high excitation frequencies.