Note: Measurement of the cathode layer thickness in glow discharges with a Langmuir probe
Wang, H.; Hou, X.; Zou, X.; Luo, H.; Wang, X.
Review of Scientific Instruments 89(6): 066103
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-6748
PMID: 29960511
DOI: 10.1063/1.5011065
Accession: 065359689
A method using a Langmuir probe to determine the thickness of the cathode layer for a glow discharge is developed. The method is based on the phenomenon that the curve of the voltage-current characteristics changes in shape as the Langmuir probe moves from the positive column into the cathode layer. The method was used to measure the thicknesses of the cathode layer in the normal glow discharges of argon and air with the cathodes made from stainless steel and aluminum. The results are in good agreement with those given in a book of gas discharge.