LiH emission spectrum from the glow discharge in a heat-pipe oven

We investigated emission spectrum of LiH molecules from an electric dischar ge in a heat-pipe oven. The optimal conditions for the most intense LiH emi ssion regarding the vapour pressures of helium, hydrogen and lithium were f ound to be 2.5 Torr, 8.5 Torr and 0.9 mTorr, respectively. The important ro le of helium gas in increasing the LiH emission intensity is described. The number density of the lithium atoms in thr first excited state. Li(2p) and the LiH emission, was measured for different hydrogen pressures and curren ts through the discharge. We found that one part of the LiH molecules forme d in thr discharge is created in chemical quenching of excited lithium atom s by H-2 We performed the theoretical simulations for observed LiH A (I)Sig ma(+)-X (I) Sigma(+) emission band. The rotational temperature and the popu lation distribution of vibrational levels in the LiH A (I) Sigma(+) state w ere determined. We also describe the search for emission from the LiH C (I) Sigma(+) electronic state in the spectrum, which at present is unsuccessfu l.