Determination of nonisothermal-plasma parameters using the profiles of self-reversed spectral lines

A method of determining the optical density, absorption parameters, and the nonhomogeneity of a plasma that is not in local thermodynamic equilibrium is proposed for the Doppler and dispersion profiles of lines, based on the Newman-Bleeker model. The parameters of the profile of the self-reversed line and the halfwidths of the nonreabsorbed lines are sufficient in the calculations. The method was tested on a discharge in an uncooled hollow cathode of magnesium and calcium within the range of discharge current variation of 20--90 mA and a helium and argon pressure of 0.3--2.4 Torr. The mechanism of entrance of the atoms of the cathode material into the region of negative luminescence was investigated