Fast, High-Current Pulsed Discharge Device for the Inner-Shell Excitation of Atoms and Ions

摘要

We report the operation of a fast pulsed, high current, table top discharge device for the excitation of energetic atomic and ionic levels. The peak current was 16.4 kA at a current density of 1.1 kA/sq.cm. A high degree of excitation of energetic states of atomic and ionic Cs by 'hot' electrons was demonstrated. In particular, the population density in the level Cs II ((5p56s) 3/23/2 J = 2, at 13.33 eV above the Cs II ground state, was measured to be (6 + or - 4) x 10 to the 12th/cc at a measured electron density of (1.3 + or - 0.5) x 10 to the 14th/cc. These population densities were an order of magnitude larger than those produced in previous discharge devices. Inner-schell excitation, Fast pulsed discharge, Reprints. (mjm)