6 /sup 3/P/sub 1/ Hg density measurements in an inductively coupled discharge

Summary form only given. The axial and radial density distributions of the excited Hg (6 /sup 3/P/sub 1/) state existing in a 2.5-MHz Hg-Kr inductively coupled discharge (0.5 Torr) have been measured using an off resonance Raman-scattering method. A toroidal discharge is generated within a cylindrical quartz container with a coaxial inner wall. RF power is transferred to the discharge via a ferrite core (/spl mu/ = 14) centrally located within the inner tube. The detuned pump laser beam is directed axially through the discharge and the Raman-scattered signal is detected perpendicular to the pump beam. The density distributions are obtained for various input power levels to the ferrite (15, 18 and 21 W for radial; 18 W for axial) at a fixed Hg vapor pressure. At a fixed power level of 18 W, the central density variation for increasing Hg vapor pressure was obtained. By calibrating the Raman signal with a known amount of H/sub 2/, one can then obtain absolute Hg (6 /sup 3/P/sub 1/) densities. These are then compared with measured excited Hg densities in standard fluorescent lamps.