Method to Estimate the Electron Temperature and the Neutral Density in a Plasma from Spectroscopic Measurements Using Argon Atoms and Argon Ions Collisional-Radiative Models

POSTER

Abstract

We present a method to infer the electron temperature in argon plasmas using a collisional-radiative model for argon ions [1] and measured electron density to interpret absolutely calibrated spectroscopic measurements of argon ion (Ar II) line intensities. The neutral density, and hence the degree of ionization of this plasma, can then be estimated using spectroscopic argon atoms (Ar I) line intensities and a collisional radiative model for argon atoms [2]. This method has been tested for plasmas generated on two different devices at the University of Texas at Austin: the helimak experiment and the helicon experiment. We present results that show good correlation with Langmuir probe measurements. \newline [1] http://adas.phys.strath.ac.uk \newline [2] Amy. M. Keesee and Earl E. Scime. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 10F304 (2006).

*Work supported by Ad Astra Rocket Company and the Department Of Energy Office of Fusion Energy Science DE-FG03-00ER54609.

Authors

  • Ella M. Sciamma

    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • Roger D. Bengtson

    • University of Texas at Austin, Physics Department
    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • Kevin E. Casey

    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • W.L. Rowan

    • Fusion Research Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
    • The University of Texas at Austin, Fusion Research Center
    • Fusion Research Center, Univ. of Texas
    • FRC UT AUSTIN
    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • Amy M. Keesee

    • West Virginia University

  • Charles A. Lee

    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • Dan Berisford

    • Univ of Texas at Austin
    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • Kevin Lee

    • Fusion Research Center, University of Texas at Austin
    • The University of Texas at Austin

  • Kenneth Gentle

    • The University of Texas at Austin
    • University of Texas at Austin
    • The University of Texas at Austin, Fusion Research Center
    • Fusion Research Center, Univ. of Texas