Catalysis in sealed CO2 lasers

Abstract

The degree of dissociation of CO₂ in a sealed CO₂-N₂-He laser is limited by catalysis of reactions re-forming CO₂, either by a platinum cathode or with outgassed hydrogen. The degree of dissociation measured in a laser is in quantitative agreement with that calculated for the reactions occurring in the discharge plasma if 5% of the hydrogen is in the atomic form. The hydrogen partial pressure is controllable by a palladium diffusion tube.