Role of ozone in cryogenic plasma of carbon monoxide laser

Analysis of experimental data obtained in study of cryogenic CO laser with glow discharge and cryogenic slab CO laser with RF discharge showed that oxygen concentration in laser mixture is much less than in initial gas mixture. With low oxygen content, ozone plays role of supplier of electrons in cryogenic discharge. Since ionization potential of ozone is somewhat higher than that of oxygen, and ozone quickly condenses on cold walls of cryogenic discharge, conversion of O2 to O3 is accelerated. In addition, in plasma-chemical reactions, ozone regenerates carbon monoxide after dissociation. Acceleration of ozone generation in cryogenic barrier discharge was experimentally demonstrated.