Laser-induced fluorescence of OH radicals in a dielectric barrier discharge

We discuss the results of laser-induced fluorescence measurements of OH rad icals in a dielectric-barrier discharge. The discharge is in parallel plate geometry in atmospheric pressure air and argon. Although the air discharge consists of discrete microdischarges, two-dimensional images show the spat ial uniformity of the OH radical. Results show that with increasing power, the OH production decreases due to gas heating and increased ozone producti on. The addition of O-2 increases the OH production at low concentrations; however, at higher O-2 concentration the OH concentration decreases due to increased electron attachment. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S00 03-6951(00)04245-5].