Non-local character of negative glow emission of a low pressure glow discharge

Abstract

Abstract A beam electron energy distribution function (BEEDF) in the cathode regions of a low-pressure glow discharge in helium was calculated using a Monte-Carlo technique. Based on the obtained data on the distribution of the BEEDF along the discharge length, the excitation rate of the 1s3p 1P level was calculated assuming that the direct electron excitation of helium atoms from the ground state takes place. It is shown that the calculated excitation rates of the 1s3p 1P level along discharge path are in good agreement with the experimentally measured emission distribution of the 501.6 nm helium spectral line.