PDN Plasma Diagnostics with Time-resolved Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Key words: 
• pulsed discharge nozzle /
• atomic emission spectroscopy /
• plasma diagnostics /
• non-local thermodynamic equilibrium

Abstract: A special designed pulsed discharge nozzle (PDN) ion source and a plasma diagnostics system based on the atomic emission spectroscopy were constructed. The time-resolved emission spectra of Argon atoms and ions in the region of 300-800 nm were observed and analyzed. The plasma temperatures, including atomic and ionic temperatures, were simulated by Boltzmann plot method, and the free electron density was simulated through the Stark broadening of Hα line. The evolution of these plasma parameters were investigated by high-resolution time-resolved emission spectra. The results show that the total energy struck on the pulsed gas beam is the most important factor which determines the plasma properties and its evolution. The plasma in PDN is concluded into non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) during the evaluation because of the low electron density and the big difference between the temperatures of Argon atoms and ions in all discharge conditions.