Spectroscopic Study of Caesium Discharges in a Magnetic Field

From measurements of the intensity distribution in the recombination spectrum, the relative densities of the electrons and their velocity distribution in the positive column of a caesium discharge are determined in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field. In radio-frequency discharges, the magnetic field is found to increase the electron temperature, contrary to expectation. In d.c. discharges, the effect of the field is found to depend on the direction of the current; this effect is ascribed to gradients in the gas pressure set up by the discharge current.