Low-density plasma is generated in a cylindrical DC magnetron discharge tube. Distribution of the magnetic field strengths in the radial and axial directions is drawn. Langmuir probe data are obtained at the edge of the cathode fall region of Ar gas discharge at pressure range from 0.5 to 4.0 torr. In the presence of the magnetic field, values of the electron temperature Te are smaller than that without magnetic field. While plasma density Ne increases by a factor of two than that without magnetic field. The electron density increases with magnetic field due to electron magnetic confinement. Also, the radial distribution of Te and Ne in the cathode fall region of the glow discharge is discussed. The magnetic field drift velocity plays an important role to make the radial distribution of Te and Ne slightly changed.

Crawford-cells are widespread for carrying out EMC-susceptibility tests. Electric devices are brought inside the test-volume to be illuminated by a TEM-wave in order to find out whether the equipment under test is working properly even under strong environmental conditions. As the Crawford-cell is a resonant cavity, particular consideration on excitation of undesired non-TEM-waves needs to be taken in order to get reasonable test results. In this paper typical magnetic and electric field patterns are calculated and outlined for unwanted waves.

Ion counting with an electron multiplier (EM) is necessary when sputtered ions are used for in situ and precise isotopic abundance measurements (10−4$(1\sigma)$) on small sample volume (about 100 μm3 for pure silicon). Measurements were performed on silicon samples bombarded with Cs+ ions by extracting negative secondary monatomic Si− ions. Pulse-height distributions (PHD) and isotopic ratios were used as diagnostic tools for repeatability studies. Repeatability could be greatly improved by determining the optimal position of the impact area on the conversion dynode and by addressing each isotopic beam properly focused on this area (adaptive optics). A simplified model based on Poisson's laws was developed to fit PHDs and allowed us to calculate quantum detection efficiencies versus thresholds. EM isotopic discriminations were determined with the resulting semiempirical algorithm so as to reconstruct the lost information and get data independent of threshold setting. To reach consistent results, quasi-simultaneous arrivals (QSA) on the conversion dynode had to be assumed and modelled using direct ionisation yields Si−/ Cs+ at different collection efficiencies. The QSA corrected data fitted well on the terrestrial isotopic fractionation line. Dead time uncertainties and possible emission non-linear isotopic fractionation processes were examined. PHDs from other elements and polyatomic ions were also discussed.

Light scattering by liquid helium droplets or gaseous helium bubbles is strongly forward. This has two direct experimental consequences: rare scatterers are very bright in a narrow ($\ll 5^{\circ}$) angular region in the forward direction; and even in the presence of multiple scattering the intensity collected at large angles is linear in the concentration of scatterers. These properties are explained, and the second one is illustrated with a liquid-gas helium spray.

The feasibility of imaging by X-ray fluorescence in a SEM has been tested on a simple laboratory set-up. It has been demonstrated that images generated by the fluorescent X-rays can be directly obtained with the use of simple pinhole relay optics and an incident X-ray beam created in a SEM. These images were acquired with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera coupled to a phosphor screen by a fibre-optic faceplate. This technique provides chemical and topographical images with a spatial resolution in the object plane of a few micrometres. This “global” imaging has the advantage that the acquisition time is only a few minutes for a sample surface of a few mm2.

The aim of this investigation is to study thin-film thermoelectric linear arrays for high spatial temperature measurements and to analyze power laser energy profile. The sensitive area consists of a planar of 16 individual thin-film Au-Pd thermocouple junctions with 8 μm × 8 μm of surface area. This sensor allows 16 temperature measurements per 288 μm. It is processed by means of standard integrated circuit techniques. Thermal simulation of heat conduction in gold and palladium layers has been carried out. The sensor thermoelectric response has been characterized in transient regime and steady state. The time constant of thermocouple response is of the order of 140 μs. A linear relationship between the thermoelectric voltage and the incident power laser has been put in evidence. Using the linear array, a Gaussian profile of the incident laser beam is obtained.