UV Radiation Source Based on the Plasma of a Glow Discharge in a Mixture of Helium with Water Vapors

Abstract

The results on the optical characteristics of the glow–discharge plasma in an He/H2O mixture are presented. It has been established that it is a source of UV radiation in the region 306–315 nm (λmax = 309.6 nm). Radiation lines of the atoms of hydrogen (Hβ 486.1 nm and Hα 656.3 nm) and helium (491.1, 501.1, 587.6, and 667.8 nm) were recorded in the visible region of the spectrum; they can be used as diagnostic lines in measuring the parameters of this plasma (ne, Te) by the method of emission spectroscopy. The intensity of the UV bands and of the spectral lines HI and HeI have been optimized depending on the partial pressure of helium and the discharge current. The results obtained are of interest for the development of an ecologically pure source of UV radiation on the basis of chemiluminescence of water vapors in a longitudinal glow discharge.