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Experimental study of the optical properties of a low-temperature neon plasma diagnostics and analysis of the state of a nonequilibrium plasma

Journal Article · · High Temp. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6559915

Nonequilibrium, atmospheric-pressure neon plasmas with temperatures of (16--27)x10/sup 3/ /sup 0/K and electron densities of (0.7--9)x10/sup 16/ cm/sup -3/ are produced in a cold-wall stabilized electric arc and studied for the first time. The density and temperature of the electrons and the populations of a number of excited states are measured and the temperature of the heavy particles and the population of the ground state are estimated. A small admixture of hydrogen is demonstrated to have a significant effect on the state parameters of the plasma. An ionization type instability is realized in the plasma and the state of the plasma is well described by a partial local thermodynamic equilibrium model. The inhomogeneity caused by the small transverse dimension of the plasma is a result of ambipolar diffusion of particles to the wall, which exceeds volume recombination by two orders of magnitude.

Research Organization:
High-Temperature Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR
OSTI ID:
6559915
Journal Information:
High Temp. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: High Temp. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 18:3; ISSN HITEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English