MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION OF ELECTRON MOTION IN MAGNETICALLY CONFINED COGAS-LASER DISCHARGES

Monte Carte simulation has been used to investigate electron motion in magnetically confined CO gas laser discharges. The influences of a pe rpendicular magnetic field on electron transport coefficients have bee n studied. Data on transverse and perpendicular velocities, mean energ y and numbers of several types of collisions are evaluated at various magnetic field types and strengths. The results show that the applied magnetic field decreases the transverse velocity, mean energy and ioni zation coefficient, and increases the perpendicular velocity. The high perpendicular velocity suppresses localized thermal electron constric tion, giving a higher input power loading. The applied magnetic field also increases the number of collisions, resulting in increasing losse s of the electron energy obtained from the electric field, especially the losses in vibrational levels. The magnetic field distribution and strength have great effects on the electron transport coefficients and the discharge properties.