Calculation of the He-Cd dc discharge

Numerical evaluations of the excited atom densities and the volt-ampere characteristics in He-Cd dc mixture discharge in a cylindrical tube are reported. For this purpose, under non-equilibrium conditions in low current and low pressure discharge, a set of coupled rate equations for the number densities of atoms in most important quantum states is solved. A model of Cd-and He-atom possessing six and four levels, respectively, is assumed. The results of the computation are given as a function of the external positive column parameters at relative cadmium concentration 10^–3.