A spectroscopic investigation of an argon glow discharge

Abstract

The positive column of an Argon gloi/ discharge was observed through a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a prise: spectrograph in order to determine if a Doppler shift occurs. No Doppler shifts were observed; however, further refinements in equipment and technique are required before it can be reported that no Doppler shifts exists. Feasibility of removable end plate construction of discharge tubes was investigated and future design parameters were specified. Methods for obtaining emitter radial distributions from spectroscopic intensity measurements were investigated. In lieu of experimental data, artifical intensity measurements were used as inputs to the Control Data Corporation 1604 digital computer in order to compare and to determine the sensitivity of these methods.