Temporal Studies of the Axial Negative Glow of a Pulsed Hollow Cathode Discharge

The purpose of these studies is to measure the evolution of the negative glow in a pulsed hollow cathode discharge. The pulse timing parameters for a pulsed hollow cathode discharge (pulse width and interpulse delay) that maximize the bulbness of the negative glow in the hollow were recorded. Examination of the evolution of the negative glow yields fundamental knowledge necessary for modelling the negative glow in a pulsed hollow cathode discharge. Using such a model, an orderly approach to achieving an optimal pulsed hollow cathode discharge is possible. Optimizing the pulsed hollow cathode discharge is valuable in the analysis of microsamples of biological fluids by atomic emission spectroscopy by decreasing the minimum amount of sample detectable--the detection limit. A thorough search of the literature yielded no prior investigations of the axial negative glow characteristics of a pulsed hollow cathode discharge.