Spectroscopic diagnostics of preanode plasma in glow discharge of helium

A spectroscopic method has been used for the diagnostics of the preanode plasma in a glow discharge in helium. The method is based on the measurement of the absolute intensity of two wavelengths, one of which, /spl lambda//sub 1/=525 nm, is from the continuous spectrum, and the other, /spl lambda//sub 2/=587.6 nm, is from the discrete spectrum. The electron temperature and density have been determined in the anode region of helium for fixed discharge conditions (pressure=25 mbar, current=50 mA).