Spectroscopic application of an iterative kinetic cathode sheath model to high voltage hollow cathode glow discharge in hydrogen

Abstract

We present a simple one-dimensional iterative kinetic model of the cathode sheath region of high voltage, low-pressure hydrogen hollow cathode discharge. The model's convenience as a supplemental diagnostic tool is demonstrated by determining the most relevant discharge parameters through an analysis of the spectral shape of the hydrogen Balmer alpha line recorded along the axis of a cylindrically symmetrical high voltage low-pressure hollow cathode glow discharge in hydrogen. Thus, an effectively one-dimensional approach is tested and shown to give satisfactory spectral lines fits with reasonable values for discharge parameters, most notably the gas temperature.