A polarization analysis of the light emitted by a striated argon discharge

Abstract

An analysis is made of the 8115A light emitted from the striated positive column of an Argon glow discharge to determine whether or not it is polarized. The procedure consists of separating the perpendicular and parallel components of vibration with a Wallaston prism, measuring the intensity of each component with a photomultiplier tube and comparing the signal intensities on a dual trace oscilloscope. Within the limitations placed upon the measurements by photomultiplier noise and system frequency response, no polarization is observed. The maximum polarization that could escape detection is 3%. The theory of polarization by electron impact is briefly discussed and related to the moving striation discharge.