Spectroscopic study of the cathode fall region of Grimm-type glow discharge in helium

Abstract

In this work we present the results of a spectroscopic study of the cathode fall region of a Grimm-type glow discharge in helium and in helium-hydrogen mixture. To determine the electric field strength, the method based on Stark splitting and shifting of the He I 492.19 nm (2p 1P0-4d 1D) line and its forbidden (2p 1P0-4f 1F) line is demonstrated. For this method, the basic theory is outlined and experimental testing is performed using Stark spectroscopy of the hydrogen Balmer Hβ line. The results of electric field axial distribution measurements are compared with theoretical models. For our experimental conditions, the determined mean ion energies at the cathode surface range from 190 to 290 eV. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.