Two-dimensional laser collision-induced fluorescence measurements of plasma properties near an RF plasma cathode extraction aperture

A dense plasma structure was observed to form near the extraction aperture of a helium RF plasma cathode. Laser collision-induced fluorescence was used to generate two-dimensional spatial maps of the electron density and the effective electron temperature within the structure over a range of operating conditions. The aperture plasma reached densities nearly an order of magnitude higher than the surrounding bulk plasma. The sharp spatial change in density at the plasma structure boundary suggests the presence of a double layer sheath. Higher temperature electrons were also observed at the periphery of the plasma structure. Variations in the observed plasma structure with extracted electron current were found to be consistent with reported low pressure anode spot behavior. Measurements of plasma density within and at the boundary of the structure, and the dependence of these on the current extracted across the external gap, are compared with calculations and discussed. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)