Parameters of the discharge plasmas of surface-plasma sources of negative hydrogen ions

The main parameters of the plasma of high-current hydrogen-cesium glow discharges of surface-plasma (planotron and Penning) sources of negative hydrogen ions are determined using contact-free spectroscopic methods and compared for identical discharge current densities. The elemental and charge composition of the plasma is established. The temperature of the hydrogen atoms and the energy of the visible-range radiation of the plasma discharge are measured and estimates of the electron density in the plasma are made. The dynamics of the change in the parameters of the discharge plasma of a Penning source — the densities of hydrogen atoms, cesium atoms and ions, and molybdenum atoms — is tracked during a discharge pulse with spatial resolution along two coordinates. It is observed that cesium atoms and ions and molybdenum atoms are pent up near the cathode surface. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 32–38 (October 1998)