Analysis of the parameters of plasma of an inductively coupled discharge in neon

An experimental investigation is performed of the electrical and spectral characteristics of plasma of an electrodeless neon light source operating on the principle of inductively coupled discharge. The investigations are performed under the optimal conditions of discharge burning (neon pressure of $\approx1$ torr, current frequency of $250$ kHz, and discharge current of $3$ to $10$ A) corresponding to the high efficiency of the light source $(\approx20\%)$. The spatial distribution of the radiation intensity of individual lines of neon is studied. Measurements are performed of discharge spectra at different points of the gas-discharge bulb and of the electrical characteristics of the discharge. The resultant experimental data are used to calculate and analyze the parameters of discharge plasma (the electron density and temperature and the concentration of excited atoms).