Measurement of Ar(I) and Ar(II) transition probabilities in LTE ARC plasmas

The transition probabilities of two Ar(I) lines and one Ar(II) line have been measured in emission on wall-stabilized argon arc plasmas (0·5×10⁵?p, Nm^-2?3×10⁵; 10,000?T, K?20,000; 10²²?N_e, m^-3?5×10²³) using the “method of best fit (MBF)”. The results (without line-wing correction) are for Ar(I) at 714·7 nm, A_nm=5·66×10⁵ s^-1±5%; for Ar(I) at 430·0 nm, A_nm=3·40×10⁵ s^-1±5%; for Ar(II) at 480·6 nm, A_nm=8·82×10⁷ s^-1±7%. These values were not influenced by deviations from LTE, which have been observed at electron number densities n_e?10²³ m^-3. The small uncertainties were achieved after careful corrections of different sources of error.     

The temporal evolution of population densities of excited states in atomic oxygen thin plasmas

Population densities of transient oxygen plasmas have been calculated solving a system of differential equations, which describes the temporal evolution of the considered quantum levels. The results, which refer to a temperature of 1 eV and to electron number densities ranging from 10⁸ to 10¹⁴ cm^-3, show the strong importance of the metastable 3s⁵S state in determining the evolution of these plasmas. The present results are then applied to the calculation of relaxation times of selected quantum levels and to the definition of quasistationary conditions of plasmas having low lying excited states (i.e. states belonging to the same principal quantum number as the ground state).     

Numerical study of the effect of gas flow in low pressure inductively coupled Ar/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> plasmas

The effect of gas flow in low pressure inductively coupled Ar/N₂ plasmas operating at the rf frequency of 13.56 MHz and the total gas pressure of 20 mTorr is studied at the gas flows of 5–700 sccm by coupling the plasma simulation with the calculation of flow dynamics. The gas temperature is 300 K and input power is 300 W. The Ar fractions are varied from 0% to 95%. The species taken into account include electrons, Ar atoms and their excited levels, N₂ molecules and their seven different excited levels, N atoms, and Ar⁺, N⁺, N₂ ⁺, N₄ ⁺ ions. 51 chemical reactions are considered. It is found that the electron densities increase and electron temperatures decrease with a rise in gas flow rate for the different Ar fractions. The densities of all the plasma species for the different Ar fractions and gas flow rates are obtained. The collisional power losses in plasma discharges are presented and the effect of gas flow is investigated.     

Measurement of width and shift of rare gas lines emitted from a stock-tube plasma

In a diaphragm shock-tube, Ar, Kr and Xe plasmas were generated with equilibrium temperatures of 8,000 to 12,000 K. The electron densities were measured with a two-wavelength interferometer and varied from 4×10¹⁶ to 1.4×10¹⁷ cm^-3. Emission profiles of spectral lines were recorded with a polychromator setup in 1 μs intervals using a fast data acquisition system. Width w and shift d turned out to be proportional to electron density N_e for the observed lines. Stark broadening parameters w/N_e and d/N_e are presented for 3 Ar(I), 4 Kr(I) and 5 Xe(I) lines in the visible region of the spectrum.     

Collisional-radiative model for non-Maxwellian inductively coupled argon plasmas using detailed fine-structure relativistic distorted-wave cross sections

Our recently developed collisional-radiative model which included fine-structure cross sections calculated with a fully relativistic distorted-wave method [R.K. Gangwar, L. Sharma, R. Srivastava, A.D. Stauffer, J. Appl. Phys. 111, 053307 (2012)] has been extended to study non-Maxwellian inductively coupled argon plasmas. We have added more processes to our earlier collisional-radiative model by further incorporating relativistic distorted-wave electron impact cross sections from the 3p ⁵4sJ = 0, 2 metastable states, (1s ₃, 1s ₅ in Paschen’s notation) to the 3p ⁵5p (3p _i ) excited states. The population of various excited levels at different pressures in the range of 1–25 mTorr for an inductively coupled argon plasma have been calculated and compared with the recent optical absorption spectroscopy measurements as well as emission model results of Boffard et al. [Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 19, 065001 (2010)]. We have also calculated the intensities of two emission lines, 420.1 nm (3p ₉ → 1s ₅) and 419.8 nm (3p ₅ → 1s ₄) and compared with measured intensities reported by Boffard et al. [J. Phys. D 45, 045201 (2012)]. Our results are in good agreement with the measurements.     

Measurements of spatially resolved electron number densities and modes temperatures using optical emission spectroscopy of atmospheric pressure microplasma jet

The electrical gas discharge parameters of direct-current non-thermal microplasma jet in Ar-2%H₂ flow at open atmospheric air was investigated by using spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The jet was confined from microhollow of tungsten-carbide (～500 μm inner diameter) to a molybdenum foil. Despite its small volume, the atmospheric pressure microplasma jet provides a range of power densities, from low to ～10¹² W m^?3 generated either in rare gases or in molecular gases. A high resolution spectrometer (Jobin-Yvon, Czerny-Turner model THR1000, resolution of 0.001 nm, with focal length of 1.0 m and numerical aperture of 0.13 ? f/7.5) was used to allow registration of OH (A ²Σ⁺, ν = 0 → X ²Π, ν′ = 0) rotational bands at 306.357 nm, Ar I 603.213 nm line and N₂ (C ³Π _u , ν = 0 → B ³Π _g , ν′ = 0) second positive system with the band head at 337.13 nm in order to estimate the rotational temperature from the cathode sheath of the plasma jet to the anode. For currents ranging from 20 to 100 mA and for a particular excited levels, the excitation temperature was measured in the negative glow region either from a Boltzmann plot of Ar I 4p–4s and 5p–4s transitions of excited argon or using the Mo I (from 440 to 450 nm) two-lines method of excited Mo atoms sputtered from the cathode surface, giving 24 000 K (100 mA at 100 μm) and 7000 K (20 mA at 500 μm from the cathode). From the N₂ (C ³Π _u , ν = 0 → B ³Π _g , ν′ = 0) rotational transition the rotational temperature along the positive column was estimated. The vibrational temperature of the bulk plasma (1400 to 4500 K) was estimated for a current varying from 20 to 120 mA using the N₂ second positive system with Δν = ?2. Using the broadening of H _β Balmer line it was possible to estimate the electron number density of the negative glow (10¹⁴ to 10¹⁵ cm^?3) as a function of the current.     

Observation of transitions involving core-excited states in Ar III and Ar IV and high-lying singly excited states in Ar I–Ar IV

In this paper we present a comprehensive analysis of beam-foil and beam-gas excited spectrum of argon observed in small wavelength region, 2965–3090 Å, using Ar^+/2+ ions in the energy range 200–650 keV. The comparison of beam-foil spectrum (BFS) at different incident beam energy and with that of beam-gas spectrum (BGS), one can find solution for blending problem in beam-foil spectroscopy. Many new transitions were identified on the basis of calculated wavelength from the accurately known energy levels of Ar I, Ar II, Ar III and Ar V. The transitions of Ar I originate from highly excited states (10p to 17p and 10f to 17f). Based on TOPbase estimates using close-coupling approximation five transitions involving core-excited states and nine transitions originating from highly excited states in the spectrum of Ar III and Ar IV were also identified. Radiative life time of two core excited quintet states (3s3p⁴(⁴P)6d ⁵D and 3s3p⁴(⁴P)8f⁵F^o) of Ar III were measured and found to be in ‘good’ agreement with that of the calculated value using close-coupling approximation.     

Lebensdauern und Oszillatorstärken im Sr I- und Ca I-Spektrum

Radiative lifetimes of some highly excited levels in Sr I were measured by zero-field level crossing technique. These levels have been populated using optical excitation starting from the metastable 4d 5s ¹ D ₂ or 5s5p ³ P _2,1,0 states. The high population of these metastable levels necessary for the experiments was obtained by a discharge in the pure Sr vapour burning in the atomic beam oven. The following lifetimes have been determined (in units of 10^?8 sec):τ(5s 6s³ S ₁)=1.09±0.11,τ(5s 5d ³D₁)=1.67±0.10,τ(5s4f¹ F ₃)=3.43±0.28,τ(4d5p ¹ D ₂)=2.19±0.16,τ(5p ^{2 3}P₁)=0.88±0.12,τ(5p ^{2 3} P ₂)=0.78 _?0.10 ^+0.26 . These results are compared with lifetimes derived from oscillator strengths given in the literature, and the reliability of different oscillator strengths tables is discussed. A corresponding discussion is given for radiative lifetimes of some levels in Ca I published previously. Good agreement with data derived from arc emission oscillator strengths has been found. Ca lifetimes are fairly well consistent with oscillator strengths calculated with semiempirical scaled Thomas-Fermi-wave functions.     

Spectroscopic Diagnostics of Pulsed arc Plasmas for Particle Generation

Pulsed arc plasmas were diagnosed by means of emission spectroscopy. A capacitor was discharged through argon and hydrogen leading to a few cycles of damped current oscillation with ≈120 μs period and 5‐12 kA maximum current. Spectroscopic measurements in the visible range were carried out in order to characterise the electron temperature and density in the arc channel as well as electron and gas temperatures in the afterglow plasmas. Spectra were integrated over 10 μs time windows and shifted in time from pulse to pulse. The plasmas also contained substantial fractions of electrode material (brass), namely copper and zinc. The electron density was measured in the conventional way from the broadening of H_β or from the Ar I Stark width. In the arc channel, it ranged from about 3 · 10²² to 2 · 10²³ m^–3. The broadening of Zn II lines could also be used. Ratios of Ar I to Ar II and of Zn I to Zn II line intensities were analysed for the electron temperature. Line pairs were found which lay conveniently close in one frame of the spectrometer allowing automatic on‐line analysis without relying on reproducibility. Atomic physics models including opacity were developed for Ar II and Zn II in order to check the existence of a Boltzmann distribution of their excited states. These calculations showed that the observed levels were in fact close to thermodynamic equilibrium, in particular, if the resonance lines were optically thick. Electron temperature measurements yielded values between 14000 K and 21000 K. The gas temperature in the afterglow, where particles should have formed, was derived from the rotational and vibrational temperatures of C₂ molecular bands. Ratios between Cu I line intensities yielded the electron temperatures. Both were found to be a few 1000 K. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Near-threshold photoionization from the excited mp<Superscript>5</Superscript>(m + 1)p J = 0−3 levels of Ar,Kr and Xe (m = 3−5)

Using the configuration interaction Pauli-Fock including core polarization (CIPFCP) approach we have calculated absolute total and partial cross sections for photoionization of excited mp ⁵(m + 1)p J = 0−3 levels in Ar, Kr and Xe (m = 3−5) near threshold. Particular emphasis is paid to the lineshapes of the odd mp _1/2⁵ n(s/d)′ autoionizing resonances and their variation with the character of the intermediate excited J = 0−3 state. For selected intermediate levels of Ar and Kr the computed cross sections are compared with laser spectroscopic measurements; good agreement between the theoretical and experimental lineshapes and branching ratios for different resonances is observed.     

Determination of the atomic-state densities of some energy levels in Ar−Br2 mixtures

The atomic-state densities of the 4s Ar energy levels and 5s Br energy levels in Ar-Br₂ mixtures have been determined as function of current strenght.     

Polarization effects in ionizing thermal energy collisions of laser-excited Ne(3p 3 D 3) atoms with Ar atoms

Using transverse and longitudinal excitation of a collimated metastable Ne(3s ³ P _2.0) beam with average velocities of 500, 800, and 1,200 m/s by means of a single mode dye laser on the²⁰Ne(3s ³ P ₂→3p ³ D ₃) transition, we have investigated ionizing collisions of polarized Ne(3s ³ P ₂) and Ne(3p ³ D ₃) atoms with Ar atoms. The product electrons were energy analyzed with high resolution (9–25 meV). The resulting Ne(3p ³ D ₃) electron spectra exhibit a strong dependence on the three types of laser polarization (π _∥,π_⊥, σ_?), chosen to prepare the excited atoms. In contrast, the Ne(3s ³ P ₂) spectra are only weakly dependent on polarization. Detailed model calculations have been carried out for the Ne(3p)+Ar cross sections, using computed excited-state potential curves, semi-empirical ionic potentials, and local autoionization width functions. A semiclassical closecoupling method is applied to describe the evolution of the polarized collision system in the coupled entrance channels. It is found that a single autoionization widthΓ(R) is not sufficient to describe the measured polarization effects properly. The dependence ofΓ on the initial and final state is expressed in terms of few reduced electronic transition matrix elements, which are determined by comparison of measured and calculated total cross sections and Ar⁺(² P _3/2)/Ar⁺(² P _1/2) branching ratios for ionizing collisions of the various Ne(3pJ=1,2,3) multiplet states with Ar. The matrix elements corresponding to Ar(3pσ)→Ne(2pσ) electron transfer during autoionization are found to dominate, but Ar(3pπ)→Ne(2pπ) transfer has also to be included. The resulting calculated electron spectra reproduce the measured polarization effects in a semi-quantitative way.     

Extended measurements of isotope shifts in Mg I

The isotope shifts in the Mg I transitionsλ 2,852 Å (3s ^{2 1} S ₀-3s3p ¹ p ¹ P ₁) andλλ 3,829, 3,832 and 3,838 Å (3s3p ³ P-3s3d ³ D) have been measured for²⁴Mg,²⁵Mg and²⁶Mg. The measurements were carried out using a pressure scanned Fabry-Perot interferometer and separated isotopes excited in hollow cathode discharge tubes. The results are compared to theoretical predictions and an attempt is made to convert measured line shifts into level shifts.     

Interaction of trapped metastable excited He atoms with solid noble gases,Ne, Ar and Kr,investigated by EPR

Local metastable excited states are found in Ne, Ar and Kr cryocrystals as He gas-discharge products are trapped in the growing cryocrystals. These states are detected by EPR and are interpreted as being local metastable excitednp⁵(n+1)s³P₂ atomic-type states in Ne, Ar and Kr cryocrystals. Analysis of the results allows the following explanation of the observed effect to be given. For the Ne cryocrystal the effect is interpreted as a new phenomenon: quasi-resonance transfer of excitation energy from the metastable He 2³S₁ atom trapped in a growing neon cryocrystal to the exciton energy band of the neon crystal followed by the exciton self-trapping into the 2p⁵3p state and subsequent decay, ending in the 2p⁵3s³P₂ state recorded by EPR in our experiment. In the case of Ar and Kr cryocrystals the effect is explained as being due to an internal ionization of the cryocrystals by the excitation energy of trapped metastable He atoms, which implies the formation in the cryocrytal of a Rg⁺ ion and a free electron in the conduction band, whereupon the fast (of 10^?12 s) self-trapping reaction of a hole follows: Rg⁺+Rg→Rg ₂ ⁺ . Thereafter the dissociative recombination reaction Rg ₂ ⁺ +e→Rg ₂ ^** →Rg+Rg*(³P₂) could take place.     

Measurement of the lifetime of the3 P 2 and4 P 5/2 states in Ar16+ and Ar15+

Promptly decaying levels in Li- and Be-like Ar could be identified in the delayed x-ray and electron spectrum in addition to the four known metastable (1s2s)¹ S ₀, (1s2s)³ S ₁, (1s2p)³ P ₂, and (1s2s2p)⁴ P _5/2 states in He- and Li-like systems. The states having lifetimes of about 10^?14s still contribute to the spectrum observed 10^?9s after the ions have passed a foil. This observation is explained by cascading processes from states of high principal quantum numbern≧14. The measured lifetime of the⁴ P _5/2 state subtracting the contribution of cascades is (0.594±0.016) ns and slightly larger than the theoretically predicted value of 0.563 ns. The³ P ₂ state is depopulated at short distances behind the foil by cascading processes. Its measured lifetime of (1.44±0.08) ns compares to a theoretical value of 1.48 ns.     

Polarisierte Anregung der metastabilen 6s 5d-Terme im Ba I-Spektrum und Messung derg J-Faktoren

In an atomic beam experiment Ba-atoms were excited in the metastable levels of the 6s 5d-configuration by optical pumping and electron impact. The three states 6s 5d ¹ D ₂ and³ D _1,2 were populated by optical excitation of the 6s 6p ¹ P ₁- and³ P ₁-level resp., which decay partly into the metastable states. The¹ D ₂- and³ D ₃-level could be excited and aligned by impact of 50 eV-electrons. Radiofrequency transitions between Zeemansublevels were detected by resonance scattering of light and theg _J-values of the four 6s 5d-levels were measured:g _J(^1D ₂)=1.0032 (2),g _J(^3D ₁)=0.4986 (2),g _J(^3D ₂)=1.1638 (2) andg _J(^3D ₃)=1.3341 (2).     

Inner shell excitation and ionization of the monohalobenzenes

Energy loss (excitation) spectra of the gaseous monohalobenzenes, C ₆H ₅X (X = F, Cl, Br and I), were obtained by fast electron impact in the regions of the respective carbon 1 s, chlorine 2 p and 2 s, bromine 3 d and iodine 4 d edges. Gas phase X-ray PES measurements of the binding energies of these levels are also reported. Structure observed below the ionization limits has been interpreted with the aid of term values derived from the two sets of measurements.     

Vibrational heating in the v2 mode of ammonia by a CO2 laser

Various levels of the v₂ mode of ammonia have been pumped by a pulsed CO₂ laser. In mixtures of NH₃ with a large excess of Ar the 1 v₂ (+), 1 v₂ (?), and 2 v₂ (?) levels could be appreciably populated. The level populations were monitored by absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet using appropriate vibronic transitions of the ùA^″₂←X?¹A₁ absorption band . The energy balance was examined by comparing the number of molecules removed from the ground state with the number densities in the vibrationally excited levels and with the number of photons absorbed during the laser pulse. While the ground-state depletion corresponds well to the excited-state populations only a fraction of the photons deposited can be accounted for in the excited molecules. This is consistent with the assumption of very fast V-T relaxation.     

Hyperfine-structure and isotope-shift measurements in the 6s 5d↔6p 5d transitions of Ba I in the far-red spectral region

Measurements of the hyperfine structures in the 6p5d ¹ D ₂,³ D ₁ and³ F _{2, 3, 4} states of¹³⁵Ba and¹³⁷Ba, and isotope-shifts in several far-red transitions between the 6s 5d and 6p 5d configurations, as well as the transition 6s ^{2 1} S ₀→6s6p ³ P ₁ at 7,911 Å have been performed using high-resolution laser spectroscopy on a collimated atomic beam of natural barium. An analysis of the magnetic-dipole interaction in the 6p 5d configuration using effective one- and two-body hyperfine operators is presented. In particular the contact interaction was studied with respect to the correlation between the two valence electrons. Effects of strong configuration interaction were found. From a King-plot analysis of the isotope shift term- andJ-dependence of the field shift have been evaluated for the transitions between the 6s 5d and 6p 5d configurations. Relativistic Hartree-Fock (RHF) calculations have been performed of electron densities at the nucleus for six different configurations in Ba I and Ba II. The RHF calculations reproduce the experimental King-plot slopes quite well, while the absolute values, of the changes in electron density at the nucleus for the studied transitions, are found to be 9% lower than the results derived from a muonic experiment.