Radiation Produced by Partial Ionization

Abstract

Emission of light by gases; a partial ionization theory.—In certain cases light seems to be emitted at the instant of ionization of the gas atoms; in other cases it seems to be emitted at the instant of recombination of gas ions; and in still other cases, the light emission seems to be associated with neither ionization nor recombination. These cases are discussed and an explanation is suggested which is based on Bohr's assumption that radiation occurs when an electron falls from an outer to an inner orbit, combined with the assumption that complete ionization is produced much less frequently than partial ionization, that is, the displacement of an electron from an orbit to one farther out. Partial ionization would not affect the current or the electric field, so its existence cannot be directly proved but is rendered probable by the recent demonstration of radiation without ionization. The readjustment following it may be expected to produce radiation similar to that produced by recombination after complete ionization. The evidence given by canal rays is briefly discussed. The author's theory apparently explains all the phenomena cited.