Photon Laser-Induced Fluorescence of Neutral Xenon in a Thin Xenon Plasma

Two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) measurements of relative ground state densities of neutral xenon on the plume axis of the radio-frequency ion thruster RIT-10 are reported. ATALIF scheme involving excitation of the 6p0 1=2 0 was applied. TALIF signals have been analyzed both in the cold gas flow and during thruster operation. Results show the principle feasibility of the investigated TALIF scheme, which seems to be a useful extension to formerly applied TALIF transitions for diagnostics in a thin xenon plasma.