Measurements of the electron density and degree of plasma ionization in a plasma target based on a linear electric discharge in hydrogen

• Published in: Plasma physics reports Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 248 - 254
• Main Authors: Kuznetsov, A. P., Byalkovskii, O. A., Gavrilin, R. O., Golubev, A. A., Gubskii, K. L., Rudskoi, I. V., Savin, S. M., Turtikov, V. I., Khudomyasov, A. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.03.2013
• Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; Atomic; ELECTRIC DISCHARGES; ELECTRON DENSITY; ENERGY LOSSES; HEAVY IONS; HYDROGEN; INTERFEROMETRY; ION BEAMS; IONIZATION; LASERS; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; PLASMA; Plasma Diagnostics; Laser Part; Plasma Physic Report; Plasma Target; Plasma Ionization; Hydrogen Target
• ISSN: 1063-780X; 1562-6938
• DOI: 10.1134/S1063780X13030069

Laser interferometry methods were used to measure the density of free electrons and degree of plasma ionization in a hydrogen target intended for experiments on determining energy losses of heavy ion beams in an ionized matter. It is shown that the linear electron density can be varied in the range from 3.3 × 10 17 to 1.3 × 10 18 cm −2 by varying the initial plasma parameters (the hydrogen pressure in the target and the discharge current). The error in measuring the linear electron density in the entire range of the varied plasma parameters was less than 1%. The maximum degree of plasma ionization achieved at the initial gas pressure of 1 mbar was 0.62 ± 0.05.