Diagnostics of a Steady-State Low-Pressure Hollow Cathode Arc in Argon

In a steady-state low-pressure hollow cathode arc (HCA) stabilized by a longitudinal magnetic field, the spatial distribution of the argon plasma parameters are investigated. Densities, temperatures, velocities, and fluctuations of electrons, ions, and neutrals are measured by various local methods such as Thomson and Rayleigh scattering and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). The experimental results are supported by a theoretical treatment of the plasma using a two-fluid model which gives a good description of the dynamics of HCA´s.