Stark broadening and displacement of isolated He I lines

Experimental results for Stark broadened He I lines emitted by a helium plasma jet (N_e≈3×10¹⁶ cm^-3) are compared with theory; agreement is well enough for widths whereas shifts calculations present generally large discrepancies with experimental data.     

Stark broadening of neutral helium lines and spectroscopic diagnostics of pulsed helium plasma

Stark broadening parameters (widths and shifts) of two He I isolated spectral lines are measured in a plasma of a low-pressure pulsed arc. Plasma electron densities, determined by spectroscopic method based on previously calibrated He I lines, ranges from 1 x 10¹⁶ cm^-3 to 6 x 10¹⁶ cm^-3. The plasma electron temperature acquired by a Boltzmann plot of several He I lines, lies in the interval 8 000-30 000 K. Results of this work are compared with theoretical predictions and with other experimental data.Received: 30 April 2003, Published online: 29 July 2003PACS: 52.70.-m Plasma diagnostic techniques and instrumentation - 52.70.Kz Optical (ultraviolet, visible, infrared) measurements - 32.70.Jz Line shapes, widths, and shiftsR. Santamarta: Present address: DESY/ZEUS Hamburg, Germany.     

Stark broadening of visible neutral helium lines in a plasma

Side-on observations of the visible spectrum emitted by a helium plasma generated in a wall-stabilized arc are reported. Electron densities range from 0.2 to 1.3 × 10²²m^-3 and electron temperatures vary from 10,000 to 20,000 K. Most of the seventeen measured lines are “isolated” at the conditions of the experiment. Here, “isolated” refers to quantum levels which are non-degenerate even in the presence of perturbing fields. Electron densities derived from the Stark-widths of the isolated lines agree to within 15% of the values determined from Hβ and from the quasi-degenerate He(I) lines at 4471 and 4921 Å. Similar agreement is observed for the static-ion Stark broadening parameters. However, at the conditions of this experiment, the static-ion approximation is not valid near the center of some of the isolated lines. The observation of ion-dynamic effects in neutral isolated lines is reported here for the first time. In the isolated lines, the measured ion-dynamic effects are reasonably consistent with calculations based on an adiabatic “unified” theory for the ion perturbers. A simple parametric expression closely approximates the ion-dynamic contribution to the half-width of isolated lines. Hydrogenic (non-isolated) neutral helium lines exhibit a large discrepancy with theoretical profiles near the line center, where ion-dynamic effects are important.     

Stark broadening measurements of some N(II) and N(III) lines

The Stark widths of seventeen N(II) and ten N(III) spectral lines, emitted from a wall-stabilized arc plasma with electron densities in the range 0.9-2.9 × 10¹⁷ cm^-3, were measured. The arc was run with a 1:1N₂:He mixture, and the electron densities were determined from the Stark widths of He(I) 5876 and 6678 A. The Stark widths of the N lines were found to scale approximately linearly with electron density.     

On the Stark broadening of the He I 447.1 nm spectral line

Characteristics of the Stark broadened and overlapping 447.1 nm He I spectral line and its forbidden 447.0 nm components have been measured at electron densities between 4.4×10²² m^-3 and 8.2×10²² m^-3 and electron temperatures between 18 000 K and 33 000 K in plasmas created in five various discharge conditions using the low pressure pulsed arc as an optically thin plasma source operated in helium-nitrogen-oxygen gas mixture. Good agreement was found among our measured line characteristics and their existing calculated values, based on the quasistatic approximation. Possible influence of the singly ionized oxygen impurity atoms (O II) on the intensity values of the dip between allowed and forbidden components was found that can explain the disagreement among some existing experimental and calculated line characteristics data, at higher electron temperatures and densities. On the basis of the observed asymmetry of the 447.1 nm spectral line profile we have obtained the ion contribution parameter at 10²² m^-3 electron density and 8 000 K electron temperature. Received 20 February 2001 and Received in final form 25 April 2001     

Measurement of Stark broadened profile of He(II) 4686A

Stark broadened profiles of the He(II) 4686A line were measured using a Z-pinch plasma as source. The electron density was determined from the halfwidth of the He(I) 3889 line and the temperature from the intensity ratio of the He(II) 4686 and the He(I) 3889 lines. The electron densities covered the range 0.5?2.3×10¹⁷ cm³ and the electron temperature was 4 eV. The plasma homogeneity was checked by varying the length of the column observed. The experimental profiles are in better agreement with the recent calculations of Greene than with the earlier calculations of Keeple.     

On the Cd III spectrum in a pulsed helium discharge

On the basis of the spectral line intensity relaxation during the plasma decay, fifty six spectral lines between 219 nm and 330 nm in the cadmium (Cd) spectrum were identified as Cd III (doubly ionized) or Cd IV (triply ionized) lines. The measured Stark widths of twelve, the most intense spectral lines around 315±15 nm with well defined profiles, are presented. Investigated spectral lines originate from the high lying energy levels, not classified up to now. A linear low-pressure pulsed arc was used as an optically thin plasma source. A pulsed discharge was produced in a pyrex discharge tube. Helium was chosen as the carrier gas. The cadmium atoms were sputtered from the thin cadmium cylindrical plates located in the homogeneous axial part of the discharge tube. The helium plasma was operated at electron temperatures up to 19 000 K and 1.1 × 10²³ m^-3 electron density. The stepwise ionization processes via the high lying singly ionized (Cd II) energy levels, populated well due to the Penning and charge exchange effects, provide high density of the Cd III (and Cd IV) ions in our helium plasma. The temporal evolutions of the spectral line intensities were monitored using a spectrograph and an ICCD camera as a highly sensitive detection system.     

Measurement of electric field strengths in a waveguide by means of the dynamic Stark effect in hydrogen and neutral helium spectral lines

The dynamic Stark effect of the spectral lines H_β and of the neutral helium lines λ=402.6 nm (2³ P ⁰−5³ D) and λ=438.8 nm (2¹ P ⁰−5¹ D) emitted from a discharge tube was used for probing rf electric fields in a transverse waveguide. Calculations accounting for the pertubation of the atomic states by strong unidirectional fields prove to be suitable in order to interprete the main experimental results. If the waveguide is terminated with a metallic reflector and the plasma in the discharge tube becomes overdense—then representing a slightly permeable mirror—a resonant enhancement of the electric field strength may be achieved by tuning. This enhancement is well recognizable in the spectral line contours.     

The first Au III Stark widths

The shapes of 12 doubly ionized gold (Au III) spectral lines have been measured in the laboratory helium plasma at about 16 600 K electron temperature and 7.4×¹⁰²² m⁻³$7.4\times {10}^{22}{\text{ m}}^{\mathrm{-3}}$ electron density. At mentioned plasma conditions the Stark broadening has been found as the dominant mechanism in the Au III line shape formation. Here presented data are the first reported values for Stark widths related to the Au III lines. The modified version of the linear, low-pressure, pulsed arc was used as a plasma source operated in helium with gold atoms, as impurities, evaporated from gold cylindrical plates located in the homogeneous part of the discharge, providing conditions free of self-absorption.     

Stark broadening of the hydrogen Paschen <Emphasis Type="Bold">γ</Emphasis> transition at electron densities of the order of cm

Stark broadening measurements and calculations of the Paschen γ spectral line of hydrogen ( λ = 1.094[: MU :] m) are reported. Investigations have been performed at plasma electron densities between 1.4×10 ¹⁵ cm ^-3 and 3.7×10 ¹⁵ cm ^-3 . As the light source a wall-stabilized arc operated in a helium-hydrogen gas mixture at atmospheric pressure has been applied. The radiation of the plasma emitted from nearly homogeneous plasma layers in end-on direction, was measured with the use of a grating spectrometer equipped with a charge coupled device (CCD) detector. The radiance calibration was carried out against light outputs originating from a tungsten strip radiation standard. The measured FWHM are compared with results of our calculations based on computer simulation techniques (full computer simulation method -- FCSM). Our broadening data are also compared with results of other theoretical approaches (MM-method, quasi-static approximation) and with experimental data obtained at electron densities about one order of magnitude larger than ours. Received 21 January 2003 Published online 24 April 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: wujec@uni.opole.pl     

The energy of thermal electrons in electron beam created helium discharges

We have measured the electron energy of the thermal group of electrons in both longitudinal and transverse electron beam created helium glow discharges. The measurement technique employs the ratio of intensities of spectral lines in the 2s³S?np³P He I series. Values of kT_e between 0.07 and 0.11 eV were obtained. These energies are typical of the beam-generated electric field free plasmas. The competitive loss of helium ions by recombination and by charge transfer in a He?Hg electron beam created plasma is calculated. The results are applied to the Hg⁺ laser pumping scheme using a electron beam created He?Hg plasma.     

Plasma plume induced during laser ablation of graphite

The plasma plume induced during ArF laser ablation of a graphite target is studied. Velocities of the plasma expansion front are determined by the optical time of flight method. Mass center velocities of the emitting atoms and ions are constant and amount to 1.7×10⁴ and 3.8×10⁴ m s⁻¹, respectively. Higher velocities of ions result probably from their acceleration in electrostatic field created by electron emission prior to ion emission. The emission spectroscopy of the plasma plume is used to determine the electron densities and temperatures at various distances from the target. The electron density is determined from the Stark broadening of the Ca II and Ca I lines. It reaches a maximum of ∼9.5×10²³ m⁻³ 30 ns from the beginning of the laser pulse at the distance of 1.2 mm from the target and next decreases to ∼1.2×10²² m⁻³ at the distance of 7.6 mm from the target. The electron temperature is determined from the ratio of intensities of ionic and atomic lines. Close to the target the electron temperature of ∼30 kK is found but it decreases quickly to 11.5 kK 4 mm from the target.     

Spectroscopic studies of a helium plasma generated near ceramic surface at pressures below 1000 hPa

Spatially resolved line intensity measurements from a plasma generated near ceramic surfaces have been performed. Disk-shaped helium plasmas of diameter 20 mm and thickness 0.9 mm have been studied in a pressure range of 2×10³–10⁵ Pa. On the basis of line intensity measurements and applying an appropriate collisional-radiative model for a helium plasma, the distributions of electron density and electron temperature have been evaluated.     

High density measurements of the Stark broadened profile of the He(II)4686 Å line

The Stark broadened profile of the He(II)4686 Å line has been scanned in the electron density range of 1–3 × 10¹⁸ cm^-3. The electron temperature, as determined from the line to continuum ratio, ranged from 9.4 to 19.9 eV. The plasma which emitted the He(II)4686 Å line was created in a 60-kJ theta pinch operated with a high fill pressure (3 and 5 torr) of pure helium. Electron densities were calculated from the half-half widths of the He(II)4686 Å line using two Stark broadening theories. These electron densities are compared with the electron densities determined from the absolute value of the continuum intensity and a total sweep up compressional model. The two theoretical models predict electron densities in good agreement with the electron densities from the absolute value of the continuum intensity.     

Spectroscopic observation of the plasma produced by a CO2 laser beam interacting with titanium target under helium and/or argon atmosphere

In many laser applications such as drilling, welding and cutting, the role of the plasma in the transfer of energy between the laser beam and the metal surface appears to be rather important. It depends on several parameters such as laser wavelength, irradiation time and deposited energy but especially on the buffer gas nature. In this work the plasma is initiated by a TEA-CO₂ laser beam perpendicularly focussed onto a Ti target (100 MW/cm²), in a cell containing He, Ar or a He-Ar mixture as buffer gas. The plasma is studied by time and space resolved spectroscopic diagnostics. The results show that helium allows target erosion whereas a highly absorbing breakdown plasma develops in argon shielding the target from the subsequent laser heating. With only 20% Ar in He, a strong quenching of the He plasma by Ar occurs, and the Ar plasma effect is dominant.     

Measured Cd III Stark widths

The Stark FWHM (Full-Width at Half of the Maximal line intensity, W) have been measured for 16 doubly ionized cadmium (Cd III) spectral lines in a pulsed helium discharge in the wavelength interval between 200 nm and 304 nm. The helium discharge was created in the linear low pressure pulsed arc operated at 19 000 K electron temperature and 5.0×¹⁰²² m−3 electron density. The cadmium atoms were sputtered from the cadmium (99.9% purity) cylindrical plates located in the linear part of the discharge tube. The high density of the Cd III ions is boosted by cascade ionization processes via the well populated Cd II energy levels due to the Penning and charge exchange effects. The shapes of the Cd III lines are recorded using a spectrograph (McPherson model 209, 1.33 m focal-length with 2400 grooves/mm holographic grating) and intensified CCD camera (Andor DH740-18F-03) as a high-sensitive detection system. The Stark parameters introduced in this Letter are the first published experimental Cd III Stark widths.     

Stark broadening tables for He I λ4922Å

The Stark broadening of He I λ4922Å and its forbidden components by both ions and electrons is calculated using a theory that includes ion dynamic effects. Tables are presented for temperatures from 5000°K to 40,000°K covering the density range 10¹³ cm^-3 to 10¹⁶ cm^-3 for both helium and hydrogen ionic perturbers.     

Stark broadening of S(III) and S(IV) lines

Measurements of the Stark widths of doubly and triply ionized sulfur lines were made in a low pressure, pulsed arc plasma of electron density 5.1 × 10¹⁶ cm^-3 at an electron temperature of 28, 500°K. The experimental S(III) and S(IV) Stark-profile halfwidths were compared with calculated values obtained with Griem's semiempirical and approximate semiclassical approach. The experimental results agree better with the semiclassical results.     

Stark broadening and shift measurements of two doubly excited NI multiplets

Experimental Stark-broadening studies of two selected doubly excited NI multiplets from the infrared wavelength range are presented. One of them is very sensitive to interactions with charged particles in plasmas and the other exhibits — at the same plasma conditions — only very small broadening and shift. A high current wall-stabilized arc operated in helium with admixture of nitrogen and hydrogen was applied as the excitation source. The radiation of the plasma was detected by applying a grating spectrometer equipped with a CCD detector. Measurements were performed at electron densities of the plasma between 3×10¹⁵ and 7×10¹⁵ cm^-3, corresponding to temperatures from the range 8000–10500 K. Electron impact widths (w_e) and shifts (d_e) of fine structure components of these multiplets were determined. The evaluated Stark broadening parameters (w_e, d_e) are compared with other experimental data and with calculated Stark effect constants.     

X-rays from antiprotonic helium in helium gas

X-ray transitions to the 4F, 3D, and 2P atomic levels of p?He have been observed with antiprotons stopped in He gas at 4 and 1.1 atm NT. The population by radiative transitions of the 3D level in gas Y_M(4atm) = (28±14)% and Y_M(1.1 atm) = (43±22)% exceeds by more than one order of magnitude that measured in liquid He. The annihilation width of the 3D level Γ^a_3D = 2.8±1.0 × 10^?3eV is determined from the ratio between the numbers of X-rays feeding and depopulating the 3D level. The strong-interaction shift of the 2P level ε(2P) = ?14±6 eV is obtained by inputting the $\text{p}\text{He}$ experimental X-ray yields into a cascade calculation, the results of which are in good agreement with well-established data from muonic, pionic, and kaonic helium.