Current balance at the surface of a cold cathode

Abstract
Recent experimental and theoretical developments, including an electric field diagnostic based on optogalvanic detection of Rydberg atoms, an analytic treatment of ion transport in the cathode fall, and a null collision Monte Carlo technique, are combined to determine the current balance at the surface of a cold cathode in a He glow discharge. The ratio of the ion current to the electron current is measured and calculated over a range of current densities from a near normal to a highly abnormal glow discharge.