LAUSR

Abstract Atomic spectral lines emitted from a Penning discharge are often used to quantify partial pressures and isotopes ratios in gases. To identify the potential of this method for thermal desorption studies, the hydrogen emission spectrum lines (Hα and Dα) were examined by an Alcatel Penning gauge. The hydrogen/deuterium pressures were measured by both a capacitive vacuum gauge and the Penning gauge. Different gas mixtures were produced by varying of hydrogen/deuterium flows. The Balmer-alpha lines intensities were recorded with help of a high etendue spectrometer coupled to the Penning gauge using relay optics together with fiber bundle and equipped with Peltier cooled CCD camera. Subsequent measurements using hydrogen and deuterium gases revealed for identical pressures in the range of 10−6–10−3 mbar that the Hα line intensities are systematically higher the Dα line intensities by a factor of 1.28 ± 0.01. This observation can be explained by the dissociative excitation of the molecular hydrogen by electron impact. In addition the Hα line intensity for the H2 gas having constant partial pressure is slightly increased with total gas mixture pressure. Taking into account of both effects essentially improves the accuracy of the determination of partial pressures and isotope H/D ratios.