Study of the positive column of alkali metal vapor discharges probe measurements
Abstract
The electron temperature, electron concentration, and the longitudinal electric field intensity in a positive plasma column from a low-voltage arc discharge in Na, K, Rb, and Cs vapors were measured. The arc burned in a 1.5-cm-diam tube with oxide cathode and molybdenum cylindrical probes. The electron energy distribution function was determined by two-fold differentiation of the electric current to the probe. The measured quantities were used to calculate the plasma conductivity and the transport cross-section of the atoms, averaged with respect to a Maxwellian distribution.
- Publication:
-
Teplofizika Vysokikh Temperatur
- Pub Date:
- July 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974TepVT..12..705D
- Keywords:
-
- Alkali Metals;
- Arc Discharges;
- Metal Vapors;
- Plasma Conductivity;
- Cesium Plasma;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- Electron Energy;
- Plasma Probes;
- Potassium;
- Rubidium;
- Sodium;
- Plasma Physics