Distribution of Glow Intensity and Electron Concentration in a Discharge with a Hollow Rectangular Cathode in Helium

Abstract

Optoelectrical studies of a hollow-cathode discharge with a grid anode in He are performed at a pressure of 2 mbar. The electron concentration distribution and the intensity of individual He lines are determined both between the electrodes and in the postanode plasma, with the distance between the anode and cathode being varied from 30 to 100 mm. It is found that the plasma behind the anode is formed by low-energy electrons, whose energies are lower than the excitation energy of the emitting helium levels.