Optimization of mercury vapour pressure for high-frequency electrodeless light sources

Radiation qualities of mercury high-frequency electrodeless light sources (HFELSs) of natural and 202 isotope abundance of 99.8% have been studied in order to optimize filling and operation of the source. The optimal mercury vapour pressure in a high-frequency electrodeless inductive coupled discharge is estimated. A qualitative explanation of the excitation and ionization processes is given. An application of nonlinear multiparameter chi-square line shape fitting in order to find the true profile of spectral lines and equipment influence is presented. We demonstrate that, by appropriate selection of both the HF-oscillator working mode and Hg vapour pressure, it is possible to change the intensity and profile of the spectral lines quickly, making the use of the mercury HFELSs in various applications possible.