Optical Measurements in Electric Fields

Abstract

The results of a theoretical and experimental investigation of laser- based diagnostic techniques for the measurement of electric fields in discharges are presented. A theoretical assessment made of those techniques most likely to be successful in electric-field measurements under various plasma conditions is discussed. The three techniques identified and subsequently tested experimentally were polarization spectroscopy of H-atoms, optogalvanic spectroscopy of Rydberg states, and laser-induced fluorescence of the BC1 radical. The most successful demonstration of the electric-field measurement involved the optogalvanic technique because of the high sensitivity of the Rydberg states to electric fields. Electric field measurements were made on a hollow cathode in the range 1800 to 200 V/cm.... Stark effect, Electric fields, Plasmas, Laser-Induced fluorescence, Optogalvanic, Optical diagnostics, Polarization spectroscopy, Positive-Column discharge, Hollow-Cathode.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA259221

Entities

People

  • Larry P. Goss

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption Spectra
  • Air Force
  • Angular Momentum
  • Classification
  • Dye Lasers
  • Electrons
  • Energy Levels
  • Glow Discharges
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Induced Fluorescence
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Liquid Dye Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Polarizers
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers