Photodetachment diagnostics of a volume production type negative ion source with a diode-laser

Time evolution of photodetachment perturbation signal induced by a diode laser was observed in an O(2) plasma. Photodetachment current collected by a Langmuir probe was directly measured and recorded by a digital oscilloscope. After integrating the recorded signal data, the waveform of the photodetachment current showed a time dependence resembling an error function. The waveform had changed its shape in accordance as the position between the probe and the laser beam axis was changed. These characteristics of the photodetachment signal are well explained by a diffusion model. The method has the possibility to yield information on various negative ion containing plasmas, but requires quiescence in the electron saturation current with the fluctuation level less than 10(-4).