Use of a low pressure helium/water vapor discharge as a mercury-free source of ultraviolet emission

Abstract

This paper presents the results of study of the longitudinal low-pressure glow discharge in a helium/water mixture. This discharge is proposed for use as a mercury-free source of ultraviolet emission. The emission spectra in the ultraviolet range are recorded by a monochromator and analyzed. In order to interpret the experimental results, the numerical modeling is carried out using global model for 46 species and 577 plasma chemical reactions between them. This model allows us to define the main reactions responsible for the generation and quenching of the excited species, which emit in the ultraviolet range. The optimal conditions are found when the lines with wavelengths of 309 nm OH(A-X) and 150–190 nm OH(X-C,B) have the largest intensity.