Molecular origin of background light in Thomson scattering measurements

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1139032· OSTI ID:5209542

McNeill, D H

The plasma background light in Thomson scattering measurements is often far higher than expected for a pure hydrogen plasma. The spectral distribution of light from three plasmas (duration: 1 ms to steady state; electron density: below 10/sup 12/ to over 10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/; temperature: below 20 to over 1000 eV) is studied. Signal-to-noise and intensity data from the Thomson scattering systems used on them are compared with analytic estimates to show that in two of these plasmas molecular light dominates the spectrum, while in the other, molecular light is present, but bremsstrahlung is usually more intense. Knowledge of the mechanism for background light can aid in designing detection systems for Thomson scattering and provide information on the neutral species composition and effective charge of the plasma.

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
• OSTI ID: 5209542
• Journal Information: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States) Vol. 57:11; ISSN RSINA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
DEUTERIUM
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INELASTIC SCATTERING
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
STABLE ISOTOPES
THOMSON SCATTERING