HOLLOW-CATHODE DISCHARGE (HCD) DARK SPACE DIAGNOSTICS WITH LASER PHOTOIONIZATION AND GALVANIC DETECTION

We report on a new technique for measuring the cathode dark space width and the variation of ground state atomic density within it by measuring the ionization current generated by laser photoionization of neutral ground state metallic atoms. The technique is supported by a theoretical model of charge displacement in the dark space based on the assumption of a Lorentzian gas and thus on Langevin equations. After verifying the applicability of the theoretical approach, measurements of dark space width with respect to pressure, current and nature of the buffer gas are presented for an uranium HCD. Results of variation in density of ground state neutral uranium, in the dark space, versus current and pressure in Xe are also given. These last results are of interest when using photoionization currents in the HCD dark space for laser spectroscopy, such as photoionization studies of elements like uranium.