Mikiya Yamane

Retrograde motion of a positive column of low pressure discharge

The motion of a positive column of low pressure discharge passing through the annulus between coaxial glass tubes and subjected to a transverse magnetic field has been investigated. The positive column was photographed and measured optically, and was found to move in the retrograde direction. Variation in this retrograde motion with tube geometry, discharge current and gas pressure was measured and examined based on the ‘‘neutral drag instability theory’’ of Hoh and Simon.

Photoionization detector for gas chromatography : I. Detection of inorganic gases

Abstract This report describes studies of the photoionization detector which has been developed for the measurement of small amounts of components in the gas chromatographic analysis. By the use of helium as both discharge and carrier gas it is found that the detector can respond to permanent gases with high detection sensitivity, particularly when the helium is purified by the impurity traps. Details are given of the operating characteristics, and the effects of impurity on the background current and the output signal is discussed.

Hydrogen Ions in the Positive Column of a Hydrogen Glow Discharge

A mass‐spectrometric technique has been applied to the investigation of the positive column of a hydrogen glow discharge. Ions emerging out of the tube are found to be composed of major components of H+ and H3+ ions and minor component of H2+ ion over a range of E / p (the ratio of electric field strength to pressure) from about 30 to 100 V/cm·mm Hg and in a pressure range from 0.2–1.6 mm Hg. The relative density of H+ ions decreases monotonically with increasing pressure from 57% at p = 0.2 mm Hg (E / p ≑ 100) to 36% at p = 1.6 mm Hg (E / p ≑ 30), while that of H3+ ions increases from 38% at p = 0.2 mm Hg (E / p ≑ 100) to 62% at p = 1.6 mm Hg (E / p ≑ 30). The H2+ ion density decreases with increasing pressure or with decreasing E / p and is less than 10% of the total ion over the pressure range investigated. It is then found possible to obtain collision frequencies of the reactions H2++H2→H3++H and H2++H2→H++H+H2 as a function of E / p, assuming that these collision processes predominate in the plasma.

A new argon ionization detector for gas chromatography

Abstract This paper is concerned with a new argon ionization detector. Its features are the following: 1. 1. Primary electrons are generated by a self-sustained subsidiary discharge, instead of by means of a radioactive substance. 2. 2. The subsidiary discharge is excited in the scavenging stream, ahead of the sensing chamber. A small fraction of electrons generated by this discharge passes into the sensing chamber with the flow of the scavening gas. 3. 3. Field-intensified ionization current is measured in the sensing chamber. Details of the construction of the detector, the characteristics of the subsidiary discharge and performance of the detector are described.

Operational mechanism and performance of a subsidiary discharge argon ionization detector.

Abstract A subsidiary discharge argon ionization detector, which uses helium as the discharge gas and argon as the carrier gas, is described. The properties of the discharge in the helium flow were first studied from the point of view of its suitability as a source of primary electrons. Next, the generation mechanism of primary electrons was investigated by measurements of the background current to the cathode. The back-ground current measured as a function of the anode voltage was found to depend on the discharge potential with respect to the potential of the sensing chamber, which indicates that the transfer of charged particles from the discharge to the sensing chamber is due to an electrical force acting between the two chambers. From these results, a new technique of operation was developed. Finally the response was tested for propane, and the relationships between the response and the background current were discussed.

Transport of silica in rare earth iodide arc tubes

In the horizontal operation of dysprosium‐thallium and scandium‐sodium iodide lamps, the internal surface of the upper portion of the arc tube is etched, causing precipitation on the side and lower portions. This precipitation produces spheroidal outgrowths on the side internal surface and closely bunched fibers on the lower internal surface. These deposits are examined by electron beam microanalysis and micro x‐ray diffraction analysis, and are construed to be amorphous SiO2. The transport of silica is found to occur also in a furnace experiment, where dysprosium iodide is heated in an evacuated silica tube held at 750–1150 °C.

Multichannel discharges in low‐pressure rare‐gas–mercury mixtures caused by anode oscillation

Stable formation of a multichannel arc is observed in low‐pressure rare‐gas–mercury discharges in a concentric tube where a hot cathode is located in the inner tube and two to six anodes are arranged symmetrically in the space between the inner tube and the outer bulb. The discharge current for each discharge channel is found to be deeply modulated at high frequencies by the anode oscillations which take place in a regular, complex sequence depending on the anode configuration. In a discharge tube with two anodes, anode oscillation occurs alternately, causing discharge transfers between the anodes. With three anodes, the discharge transfers take place in a manner similar to a ring counter, as anode oscillations occur in turn in geometrical order. In the four and five anode configurations, oscillations occur sequentially in time, but not sequentially in the anode configuration. In the case of six anodes, stable formation of a multichannel arc is not observed.

Static and dynamic characteristics of multichannel discharge in rare‐gas‐mercury mixtures

Analysis of multiarc formation in a concentric discharge tube is described. The effect of diffusion on static characteristics is also examined. The mechanism for current modulation by anode oscillation in a multianode tube is then simulated by an electric switching circuit. The simulated results agree well with the measurement results. It is found that the effect of diffusion on dynamic multiarc characteristics plays an important role in determining excess ionization patterns. When excess ionization takes place on one anode, discharge current increases, plasma density increases, and charged particles diffuse to adjacent channels. Consequently, the plasma density, hence the discharge current, in the adjacent channel also increases. This increased current causes excess ionization on the adjacent channel anode. The peculiar sequence patterns of excess ionization are explained by this effect of diffusion on dynamic characteristics.

Single-Ended Compact Fluorescent Lamp with Multi-Arc Caused by Anode Oscillations

A multi-arc discharge lamp is described in this paper. The lamp can operate on a single ballast, without the need for any extra current stabilization circuit. Attainment of a multi-arc makes possible the development of a compact fluorescent lamp compatible with incandescent lamps. The mechanism for the formation of the multi-arc, and its characteristics as a light source, are investigated.