Spectroscopy—a powerful diagnostic tool in source development

The development of negative hydrogen ion sources for neutral beam systems is closely linked with an optimization of negative ion formation in hydrogen plasmas, which requires knowledge of the plasma parameters. Emission spectroscopy is introduced as a non-invasive and in situ diagnostic tool for line of sight averaged plasma parameters. Diagnostic lines and simplified analysis methods for a variety of plasma parameters, such as electron density and electron temperature, gas temperature, atomic and molecular hydrogen density, caesium densities (atoms and ions), and negative ion densities are identified and prepared for direct application. Emphasis is laid on results obtained in RF generated negative ion sources. Correlations of plasma parameters with extracted negative ion current densities are discussed. Stripping losses in the extraction system are quantified by using beam emission spectroscopy.