Distribution of metastable argon atoms in the modified Grimm-type electrical discharge

Abstract

The absorbance by metastable argon atoms of the Ar 696.543 nm line in the modified Grimm-type electrical discharge source was measured at different discharge conditions and at distances varying from 0.25 to 6 mm from the cathode. A uranium/argon hollow cathode lamp was used as primary source, which gave an argon gas temperature of 850 K when run at 12 mA. A maximum absorbance of 0.57 was found 3 mm from the cathode at 600 V, 80 mA. The magnitude of absorbance increases with discharge current while the position of maximum absorbance shifts away from the cathode with increase in discharge voltage. The quenching of metastable atoms by nitrogen is demonstrated. The spatial distribution of the intensity of four different types of spectral lines is shown. The approximate number densities of the different particles are 10 12cm −3 for metastable argon atoms, 10 16cm −3 for neutral argon atoms, 10 13 cm −3 for sputtered copper atoms and 10 14cm −3for electrons.