On the excitation mechanism of metal vapor spectral lines in a hollow cathode discharged in noble gases

In a rectangular slotted hollow cathode glow discharge the metal vapor ion spectra lines excitation was studied, in various conditions of buffer gas pressure and mixture composition, DC and pulse current density, by time integrated and time resolved spectroscopy techniques. As a resolved the spectral lines emitted by transition from Cu II 4f3Do state (also of laser interest) are proposed as sensitive indicators of Cu vapor presence in the discharge. (Author)