Laboratory Observations of the Luxembourg Effect in Free Space Plasma Columns †

Abstract

A diagnostic technique useful in the study of electron loss processes in gaseous discharges is discussed. This technique, based on the so-called.Luxembourg effect, is especially advantageous in situations where the size, the geometry or the nature of plasma formation prevents the use of enclosures such as a cavity or a waveguide. In its present form the technique is best employed in conjunction with the Langmuir probo or, when possible, with the microwave interferometer, whose functions it supplements. Observations using this technique were made in the afterglow of an electrical discharge in neon, nitrogen and dry air. Measurements of energy relaxation constants allow the determination of the effective electron collision frequencies and of the effective collision cross section, provided that the electron temperatures can also be determined.