Endoergic and resonant charge transfer excitation in He-Cu discharge

The intensity of Cu-II lines with upper level energies near and above those of the He ion was measured as a function of He pressure in a Cu hollow cathode tube. In this tube at low pressures the negative glow could expand above the cathode. The maximum intensity of the Cu-II 493.1 nm line was found in the low voltage, high pressure hollow cathode discharge region in accordance with a resonant charge transfer excitation process. Enhancement of the intensity of the Cu-II 436.5 nm and 417.9 nm lines was observed in the cathode glow at low pressures. Excitation of these lines is attributed to endoergic charge transfer collisions between He ions accelerated by the 2 kV tube voltage and ground state Cu atoms. The cross-section for this reaction exciting the 436.5 nm line was estimated to be of the order of 10^–17 cm².     

Spatial variation of the linewidth of Kr atomic lines as observed on optogalvanic signals in cathode fall region of hollow cathode discharge

An abrupt change in the spectral width of optogalvanic (OG) signals of Kr atomic lines has been observed at a distance from the cathode wall where the signal itself changes its sign, by using a hollow cathode lamp whose cathode has its both ends open. The width is broader near the cathode wall with its magnitude varying by discharge current while the narrower width which is obtained on passing the laser beam in the central region of cathode cylinder is independent of the current. It is suggested that a well-defined region, where the particles of larger cross section of collisions with Kr atom are confined, is present in front of the cathode wall.     

Generation of a pulsed high-current low-energy beam in a plasma electron source with a self-heated cathode

The transition of a low-current discharge with a self-heated hollow cathode to a high-current discharge is studied, and stability conditions for the latter in the pulsed–periodic mode with a current of 0.1–1.0 kA, pulse width of 0.1–1.0 ms, and a pulse repetition rate of 0.1–1.0 kHz are determined. The thermal conditions of the hollow cathode are analyzed, and the conclusion is drawn that the emission current high density is due to pulsed self-heating of the cathode’s surface layer. Conditions for stable emission from a plasma cathode with a grid acting as a plasma boundary using such a discharge are found at low accelerating voltage (100–200 eV) and a gas pressure of 0.1–0.4 Pa. The density of the ion current from a plasma generated by a pulsed beam with a current of 100 A is found to reach 0.1 A/cm². Probe diagnostics data for the emitting and beam plasmas in the electron source are presented, and a mechanism behind the instability of electron emission from the plasma is suggested on their basis.     

Production of copper vapor in a pulsed hollow cathode discharge

Spectral emission from a pulsed Cu hollow cathode was investigated in relation to discharge current to gain information on the density of the sputtered Cu vapor and on the persistence time of the metastable and ground-state atoms. The cathode was excited with 250 μsec discharge pulses at current densities up to 1 A/cm², using He, Ne and Ar as buffer gases. The intensities of the emitted Cu I lines were found to depend strongly on the simmer current. In atmospheres of Ne or Ar, the intensities of the resonance lines exhibited characteristic maxima during the initial 20 μsec of the discharge pulses. The density of the sputtered Cu atoms was determined by absorption measurements using a second Cu hollow cathode as alight source.     

On the excitation mechanism of the He-Ar hollow cathode laser

Investigations were carried out on the Ar-II 476.5 nm laser to obtain information on possible excitation mechanisms. The He-Ar hollow cathode discharge was excited by square wave current pulses. From the results of measurements it could be concluded that collisions of the second kind between He 2³ S metastable atoms and ground state Ar ions are dominant in the excitation of the upper laser level. This is also supported by results obtained in the case of the He-Kr hollow cathode laser, where the upper level of the Kr-II 469.4 nm laser is excited by a similar collision process.     

Observation of penning ionization in Zr-Ne discharge by optogalvanic effect

The pulsed optogalvanic (OG) effect is used to observe Penning ionization in a Zr-Ne hollow-cathode discharge, which was axially irradiated by a pulsed dye laser pumped by copper vapor laser. The effect of discharge current on the temporal evolution of the OG signal is studied at 588.2, 594.5, 597.6 and 614.3 nm. The double humped temporal profile of the OG signals, corresponding to transitions of neon, and closeness of energy levels between that level of neon (Ne) and excited levels of zirconium (Zr) ions confirmed that Penning type of ionizing energy transfer collisions were taking place in the Zr-Ne discharge at lower discharge currents (≤5 mA). The disappearance of the double humped feature in the temporal profile of the OG signals indicated that the Penning contribution became negligible at higher discharge currents (≥10 mA).     

Two-color photoionization spectroscopy of uranium in a U–Ne hollow cathode discharge tube

A U–Ne hollow cathode discharge tube is used as a source of uranium atomic vapors as well as a photoelectron/photoion detector for carrying out two-color three-photon photoionization spectroscopy of uranium. Using the uranium excitation transition 0 cm⁻¹ (⁵L ₆ ⁰ ) → 16 900.38 cm⁻¹ (⁷M₇) at 591.5-nm laser wavelength as a first step transition and scanning the wavelength of a second laser from 558 to 568 nm, high-lying odd-parity atomic levels of uranium are studied in the energy region 34 500–34 813 cm⁻¹. All the expected 21 odd-parity atomic levels identified by various researchers in this region are observed in a single spectrum, demonstrating the high sensitivity achieved therein. In addition to this, we have identified eight autoionization resonances of uranium starting from its odd-parity atomic level at 33 801.06 cm⁻¹ pumped by two-photon excitation. Four out of these eight autoionization resonances are observed for the first time.     

氦气空心阴极放电动力学过程的模拟研究

利用流体模型模拟研究了氦气空心阴极放电的时空动力学过程,计算得到了不同放电时刻电子和亚稳态氦原子密度、电势、电场、基态电离速率和分步电离速率等的时空分布特性。特别是讨论了亚稳态原子和分步电离对于放电的影响。结果表明,随着电流的增长,放电处于五个不同的放电模式:第一阶段电流上升非常缓慢,为汤生放电模式,带电粒子密度、亚稳态原子密度和径向电场均很弱;第二阶段电流迅速上升,放电模式由汤生放电向空心阴极放电过渡,带电粒子密度、亚稳态原子密度和径向电场迅速增强;第三阶段达到准稳态阶段,放电电流增长速度变缓,形成了明显的阴极鞘层结构;第四阶段为空心阴极效应形成阶段,向稳态阶段过渡;第五阶段为稳态放电阶段。研究结果同时表明,亚稳态氦原子和分步电离在放电的初始阶段对于放电的发展作用较弱,在前三阶段中,电子的产生以基态电离为主。随着放电的发展,由亚稳态原子引起的分步电离对新的电子产生的作用逐渐接近并超过基态电离,对总电离的贡献率越来越高。     

Improvement of the efficiency of a glow discharge-based ion emitter with oscillating electrons

Ion emission from the plasma of a low-pressure (≈5×10⁻² Pa) glow discharge with electrons oscillating in a weak (≈1 mT) magnetic field is studied in relation to the cold hollow cathode geometry. A hollow conic cathode used in the electrode system of a cylindrical inverted magnetron not only improves the extraction of plasma ions to ≈20% of the discharge current but also provides the near-uniform spatial distribution of the ion emission current density. The reason is the specific oscillations of electrons accelerated in the cathode sheath. They drift in the azimuth direction along a closed orbit and simultaneously move along the magnetic field toward the emitting surface of the plasma. A plasma emitter with a current density of ≈1 mA/cm² over an area of ≈100 cm² designed for an ion source with an operating voltage of several tens of kilovolts is described.     

Two-step single-colour photoionization spectroscopy of atomic uranium

The single-colour photoionization spectrum of atomic uranium is recorded in the spectral region from 366 to 371 nm. Most of the 43 observed resonances are found to be associated with the two-step photoionization process. Based on known energy levels seven new transitions have been proposed. Three of these transitions originate either from the ground state or the lowest metastable state at 620 cm^–1.     

A cw uv copper hollow cathode laser in the 260 nm region

A cw uv copper hollow cathode laser is described, which could be operated for a longer time duration with an output power of 7 mW in the 260 nm region. A double-cathode configuration with a protection for the mirrors from metal-vapour deposition is presented. Characteristics of the laser output power, the spontaneous emission, and the ion densities in the negative glow were measured as depending on the discharge current, the neon gas pressure, and the size of the cathode slit. The observed saturation of the laser output power at high discharge current (1 A/cm²) and the optimum slot size are discussed.     

CW Cu II laser in a hollow anode-cathode discharge

CW laser operation on near infrared transitions of Cu II was investigated in a high voltage hollow cathode discharge tube of 19 cm active length. The high voltage was obtained by a special anode system placed inside the cathode. Threshold current for the strongest 7808 Å laser line was 0.4 A. At a discharge current of 2.4 A a multiline output power of 30 mW was obtained on six transitions between 7404 and 7896 Å.     

High-temperature infrared spectrum of HCN near 3300 cm−2

The infrared absorption of HCN near the fundamental band at 3311 cm^?1 has been measured at temperatures up to 1200 K. Transitions involving high rotational states (up to J = 62) have been measured. These give an improved value for the sextic centrifugal distortion term H₀. Many hot-band transitions have been observed and assigned to transitions originating in vibrationally excited states up to 4000 cm^?1 above the ground state. These measurements give new data on vibrational states involving moderately high bending quantum numbers and indicate that new terms are needed to fit the ro-vibrational energy levels.     

Absorption spectra of diatomic molybdenum nitride (MoN), molybdenum oxide (MoO), and molybdenum dimer (Mo2) molecules isolated in Ar,Ne, and Kr matrices

MoN and MoO molecules produced in a hollow cathode discharge have been trapped in Ne, Ar, and Kr matrices at 4.2 and 13 K and investigated by optical spectroscopy. Bands attributed to MoN were identified in the red and blue spectral regions and assigned by comparison with gas phase results to the A⁴π → X⁴Σ^? (a) and B⁴Σ → X⁴Σ^? (a) transitions, respectively. The ground state of Mo¹⁴N has been identified as ⁴Σ^? with ω_e = 1040 cm^?1 in an Ar matrix. Absorptions assigned to MoO in the red spectral region form the (0-0) and (1-0) bands of at least one electronic transition, but could not definitely be correlated with the gas phase results. The ground state vibrational frequency for Mo¹⁶O in an Ar matrix is 893.5 cm^?1. Additionally, Mo₂ absorptions centered at 19 305 cm^?1 were shown to be part of a vibrational progression with an average spacing of 181 cm^?1.     

Laser action ofnd 8(n + 1)s 2 −nd 9(n + 1)p transitions in HgIII,Cull and AgII

A mechanism of the laser action of 5d ⁸ 6s ² –5d ⁹ 6p HgIII transitions is proposed. The explanation is based on atomic constants of the transitions and the predominant role of direct electron excitation of the upper laser level. The kinetic models of electron beam and hollow cathode discharge sources are calculated. The theoretical estimations are compared with experimental data and possible laser transitions are also proposed. The role of electron impact excitation in the formation of inverse population for two-electron transitions in CuII and AgII obtained in hollow cathode discharges is discussed.     

UV-CuII-laser with cylindrical hollow cathodes

The UV-performance of a CuII-laser with cylindrical hollow cathodes has been investigated. The output power was measured in dependence of the neon pressure and the discharge current. By disconnecting cathode segments from the power supply, the active discharge length could be varied and the threshold and saturation currents were determined in dependence of the length of the active medium. The lowest threshold current amounted to 7 A. The laser emission saturates at current densities of 0.4 A/cm².     

Optogalvanic Properties of the Ion Guide Source in the Recoil Nucleus Selective Photoionization

This consideration is a conjunction of two processes: generation of recoil products and selective detection. A new type of plasma is carried out. The electron energy function distribution of the ion-guide source plasma is calculated and discussed. The properties of a laser ionization scheme detecting recoil atoms are analyzed using an optogalvanic approach.

The Resonant Laser Ionization (RLI) in low temperature currentless plasma, formed by accelerated particle beam propagating through gas, will be used for the above mentioned separation. A tuned dye laser excites the studied atoms and the fast electrons ionize them. This process exceeds in cross-section the ionization from ground state which provides selectivity of IGS. The latter produces ions of almost all chemical elements. It can be used for investigating processes flowing in low temperature currentless plasma which presents a specific interest. These functions impart to the IGS the role of an Optogalvanic (OG) element, to be precise, of hollow cathode discharge used as an OG detector [1].

In this paper the IGS is analyzed as an OG detector in a quasi OG scheme. The investigation is a step simulating the IGS properties. The Electron Energy Distribution Function (EEDF) and the most important processes are analyzed and discussed as a first step in this field. The results obtained contribute to the efficiency of the RLI method.     

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开发了氮空心阴极放电PIC/MC二维自洽模型。研究了N2传统空心阴极向微空心阴极放电转变过程中电势和电场的变化。结果表明,不同尺寸的空心阴极放电的电势及电场分布规律几乎类似,但空心阴极孔径减小且气压增加时,电场近似线性增加;典型微空心阴极电场比传统空心阴极放电电场约大3个量级;微空心阴极放电产生的电子,氮分子离子和氮原子离子的密度比传统空心阴极放电约大3个量级,且微空心阴极放电中,N2+密度比N+密度大8倍以上。     

Investigation of the redistribution of the current in a nanosecond volume discharge after the appearance of a cathode spot

An investigation was made of the process of contraction of a nanosecond volume discharge in air with a homogeneous field distribution and a current density 500 A/cm² when the gap was 0.7 cm and the pressure 76 torr. It was found that the appearance of a cathode spot in this volume discharge resulted in an effective contraction of the current into a spot and formation of a diffuse channel. A high-conductivity channel emerging from the cathode spot appeared when the current density in the diffusion channel above this spot reached (1–3)·10⁵ A/cm².Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 1, pp. 16–18, January, 1981.     

Influence of plasma discharge operating regime and laser beam intensity on optogalvanic spectra

The optogalvanic (OG) spectrum — over the tuning range of R 6G dye (568 nm to 605 nm) — of a Pr/Ne discharge tube is studied. The positive OG signals are approximately two orders of magnitude larger than the negative OG signals. The magnitude of the signals depend mainly on the operating regime of the discharge. Specifically, operation of the discharge in the abnormal glow regime leads to an enhancement in the negative OG signals. The operating point on theV-I characteristic of the discharge should be stipulated. To study the variation of the OG signal with the intensity of the laser beam two OG signals, of different polarities, were examined. We observed that with respect to positive OG signals, there is a trend towards pumping saturation. A minimum threshold of 0.3 kW laser power is required to generate negative OG signals. For the same attenuation in the laser beam there is a ten times more efficient reduction in the negative OG signals than in the case of positive OG signals. This confirms the important role of metastable atoms in the conduction in gas discharges.The hypothesis that negative OG signals can be obtained only abnormal glow regime needs more experimental data. The required study of the temporal variation in the OG signal with increase in the discharge current is being carried out and the results are to be published.