Hydrogen atom density in a solar plasma reactor

A density of neutral hydrogen atoms was systematically measured in the MESOX solar plasma reactor at different MW powers and flow rates. The H-atom density was measured by a gold fibre optics catalytic probe. The H-atom density was in general increasing with increasing MW power. At a pressure of 40 Pa and a power of 500 W it was about 3.5 × 1021 m−3 and at a power of 1000 W it was about 4.1 × 1021 m−3. A degree of dissociation of hydrogen molecules was between 3% and 20% depending on pressure and power. A maximum degree of dissociation was obtained at a pressure of 40 Pa and 1000 W, while the lowest one at 130 Pa and 500 W.