Plasma temperature measurements using black-body radiation from spectral lines emitted by a capillary discharge. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Page, T.; Wilson, S.A.; Branson, J.; Wagenaars, E.; Tallents, G.J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of quantitative spectroscopy & radiative transfer. Volume 220(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Opacity -- Rayleigh-Jeans -- Black-body -- Plasma; Spectrum analysis -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Periodicals; Analyse spectrale -- Périodiques; Rayonnement -- Périodiques; Radiation; Spectrum analysis; Periodicals; 543.0858
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jqsrt.2018.09.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4073

Abstract

Highlights: Capillary discharge plasmas are uniform along the plasma length enabling measurements without significant gradients. A technique for temperature measurement using the peak intensities of optically thick spectral lines emitted from a capillary discharge plasma is presented. Measuring spectral lines of argon in the 300 to 1000 nm range, we deduce plasma temperatures of 1–1.5 eV. Abstract: Optically thick spectral line emssion from plasmas is often difficult to use for the diagnosis of plasma parameters. We demonstrate a technique for temperature measurement using the peak intensity of optically thick lines as their intensities approach a black-body distribution. Recording optical emission in the wavelength range 300–1000 nm from a plasma formed by radio-frequency heating and electrical discharges in a 0.2 m long capillary plasma, we show that the high wavelength Rayleigh-Jeans form of the black-body emission can be fitted to the most intense spectral lines to give a measurement of plasma temperatures in the 1–1.5 eV range. The temperature measurement technique should have wider applicability in diagnosing plasmas with optically thick spectral lines.