Characteristics of a Self-Initiating Pulse-Periodic Discharge in a $\mathrm{Kr}$/$\mathrm{SF}_6$ Gas Mixture

The characteristics are given of a low-pressure, volume, pulse-periodic discharge in a krypton/$\mathrm{SF}_6$ gas mixture, accompanied by the formation of a domain in a "spherical anode – flat cathode" system of electrodes. It is shown that, when a dc voltage of $U_{ch}\le1.0$ kV is applied to the anode, a volume pulse-periodic discharge with a pulse repetition rate of $0.1$ to $120$ kHz is ignited in the interelectrode gap. The static and dynamic current –voltage characteristics of the discharge are investigated, as well as the plasma radiation spectra in the range from $130$ to $350$ nm, oscillograms of voltage across the discharge gap, of the current and radiation of plasma, the dependence of the radiation brightness of the $249$-nm $\mathrm{KrF}(\mathrm B-\mathrm X)$ band on the mean discharge current, and the resource characteristics of radiation on the electronic-vibrational transitions of an excimer molecule. It is demonstrated that the domain plasma may be used in a low-pressure pulse-periodic excimer lamp emitting in the $230$ nm $\mathrm{KrF}(\mathrm D-\mathrm X)/249$ nm $\mathrm{KrF}(\mathrm B-\mathrm X)$ band system. The active medium proper plays the role of the commutator in the lamp, and a dc voltage source is used to ignite the discharge. Such lamps can be used in polymer chemistry, biology, potable water purification systems, for the sterilization of medical instruments, and in micro- and quantum electronics.