Description of Helium-Plasma Rate Processes by Means of Simultaneous Differential Rate Equations

Summary form only, as given. A set of seven simultaneous differential rate equations which describe both the temporal and spectral characteristics of a pulsed microwave discharge in pure helium is derived. The rate equations describe the plasma characteristics, as well as the light emission, both during and after the application of the microwave power pulse to the discharge tube which is situated in a travelling wave structure rather than a cavity. A computer is used to solve the rate equations and certain of the rate constants are varied so as to obtain the best agreement between the computer solutions and the experimentally observed light emission characteristics.