The role of molecules in electrode-less light sources (ETN.3892)

Empiricism has proved that electrode-less plasmas are very efficient for several applications. The open spectrochemical Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) is known as unbeatable with respect to the analysis of metals in water solutions whereas the closed induction and micro wave lamps are, due to their high efficacy, expected to be the light sources of the future. However, the fundamental background of this h;gh efficiency is not understood. More specifically there is a substantial lack of insight in the role of molecules. In several cases the presence of molecules leads to a decrease of the power coupling, in other cases the coupling increases.
The objective of this project is to investigate ICP's and MIP's (microwave induced plasmas) in closed and open configuration both experimentally and theoretically. A systematic study of the influence of molecular gases under various conditions is planned. Fast acquisition of spectroscopic data obtained by active (laser scattering) and passive (emission) spectroscopy will be done using two dimensional CCD arrays placed in the focal plane of monochromators. Comparing experimental results with model calculations might reveal the fundamentals of the energy coupling and the role of molecules giving direction in the research on light sources of the future.

Voor informatie over de vakgroep kunt u de website van de vakgroep raadplegen.

Bij het onderzoek zijn twee bedrijven betrokken.

Dr. J.A.M. van der Mullen
Technische Universiteit eindhoven
Faculteit der Technische Natuurkunde
Groep Atoom- en Plasmafysica
Postbus 513
5600 MB EINDHOVEN.