Measurement of H− density in plasma by photodetachment

Techniques have been developed for measurement of the density of H− in a plasma by photodetachment. Photodetachment is detected by the increase in electron density with no change in positive ion density after a light pulse from a ruby laser. The authenticity of photodetachment signals can be assured by their comparison with known cross sections for photodetachment of H−. Interpretations of photodetachment data are less ambiguous than probe interpretations because photodetachment is not affected by the mass of positive ions and is not limited in usefulness by the Debye distance. Photodetachment measurements with time resolution and spatial resolution are straightforward.