MEASUREMENT OF EXCITATION AND ELECTRON TEMPERATURE IN A NITROGEN PLASMA

Abstract

The objective of the work was to measure the atomic line radiation of nitrogen in the spectral range from 7000 to 12,000 A and to examine the population distribution of excited states to determine if a Boltzmann distribution existed and consequently whether an excitation temperature could be defined. Simultaneous measurements using Langmuir probes were made to determine electron temperatures. These measurements were applied to a low-density plasma produced in an arc-jet and expanded into a low-pressure chamber. A one-meter Czerny-Turner scanning spectrometer was used to record the atomic line spectra. Results indicate a difference in the spectroscopic temperature measurements and Langmuir probe measurements of approximately 2000K. Reasons for this difference are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0675210

Entities

People

  • A. A. Mason
  • W. K. Mcgregor Jr.
  • W. T. Bertrand

Organizations

  • Arnold Engineering Development Complex

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Calibration
  • Cellular Structures
  • Electrons
  • Electrostatic Probes
  • Energy
  • Energy Levels
  • Excitation
  • Free Electrons
  • Intensity
  • Langmuir Probes
  • Measurement
  • Plasma Jets
  • Radiation
  • Spectral Lines
  • Spin-Orbit Interaction
  • Temperature Gradients

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics