Laser and radiofrequency wave creation of seeded air plasmas

Summary form only given, as follows. We are examining 193 nm laser ionization of an organic seed gas TMAE (tetrakis-dimethyl-amino-ethylene) in air plasma constituents including nitrogen and oxygen. The peak plasma density n/spl ges/10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/, temperature (T/sub e/=0.2 eV) and lifetimes are measured for pure TMAE and with the air constituents added at pressures from 100 mTorr to atmospheric. The role of superexcited states, metastable states and the seed gas character is discussed. The effect of the wave frequency, magnetic field and antenna design for radiofrequency created plasmas in seed gases (argon and TMAE) and added air constituents are discussed. We examine laser and high voltage spark initiated plasmas at higher pressures and their radiofrequency sustainment. Modelling utilizing the ANTENAII and MAXEB codes are used to describe the wave penetration and absorption for different antennas.