Resonance microwave discharge as a source of UV radiation

Results are presented from theoretical and experimental studies of an optical radiation source based on a microwave discharge excited in an Ar + Hg mixture. The main attention is paid to the so-called “resonance” discharge operating at low pressures of the working gas (argon). It is shown that a decrease in the Ar pressure leads to significant increase in the Hg radiation intensity (including biologically active UV radiation) and considerable decrease in the intensity of argon emission lines. The intensity of discharge radiation is calculated in the framework of the collisional-radiative model. The results of calculation agree qualitatively with experimental data.