DEVELOPMENT OF SPECTROSCOPIC METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRIC FIELD IN THE CATHODE SHEATH REGION OF AN ABNORMAL GLOW NEON DISCHARGE

Abstract

We have experimentally and theoretically studied the DC Stark shifts of several visible neon atomic lines Ne I (503.135nm; 507.421 nm; 511.367 nm; 515.196 nm; 515.443 nm; 520.390 nm; and 520.886 nm) recorded in the cathode sheath region of an abnormal glow discharge operated in neon with a small admixture of hydrogen. The electric field (up to 13.4 kV cm−1) is measured from the π-polarized profile of the hydrogen Balmer line Hα using Stark polarization spectroscopy technique. Within the low electric field range, the Ne I lines exhibit a quadratic Stark effect. The values of the coefficients, correlating Stark shift and electric field strength, were determined, which enable their future use for electric field strength measurements in discharges with neon.