The MTE continuum relation with application to an argon arc at atmospheric pressure

The continuum emission coefficient relation for a plasma in Multithermal Equilibrium (MTE) is derived using the partial-MTE ionization equation. The results are presented in a form using the nonhydrogenic free-bound Gaunt factors of Schlüter. Measurements on a 200 A, 1 atm, constricted argon arc indicate that electron densities calculated from the MTE continuum relation and Schlüter's ξ_fb values exceed electron densities from the Stark broadening of H_β by 15–30%. Experimental values of ξ_fb are up to 3 times larger than Schlüter's values, but are in agreement with the values of Morris and Krey at 5 atm, which is probably one of the few similar experiments actually in or near complete LTE. In the present experiment at the arc axis: N_e(H_β) = 1.00 × 10¹⁷cm^-3 (±8%); T_e = 34,000 K (±20%); T_exa = 12,000 K (±3%); T_exβ = 9000 K (±5%); and T_a = T_i = 10,000 K (±68%). The probable errors reflect the need for more accurate transition probabilities which had an uncertainty of 25%.