Temperature and density measurements in a linear plasma discharge

Abstract

An experimental investigation of a linear plasma discharge in a longitudinal magnetic field has been conducted. Diagnostics of the discharge were primarily performed using spectroscopic techniques. Electron temperatures, electron temperature profiles, electron densities, and electron density profiles were investigated for hydrogen neutral pressures in the range of 2 mrtorr to 50 mtorr. The radial density profiles indicate that a hollow plasma is initially established and decays toward a uniform profile after cessation of the discharge current. The electron temperature obtains its maximum value within the first few <^cles of the discharge current.