VUV Spectroscopy for the Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX)

Vacuum spectrometers have been added to the suite of plasma diagnostics on the Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX). By sampling wavelengths from 100-400 nm—below the typical visible spectrometer range—we can see higher atomic charge states, or more fundamental lines of hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, and oxygen present in the PLX experiment. We are looking for evidence of higher electron temperatures, as may be indicated by the presence of OVI or NVII lines, when the accelerated plasma jets (coming from 36 plasma guns) converge in the center of the chamber. The spectral results from a 0.2 m VM-502 and 1.0 m McPherson-225 normal incidence spectrometer will be discussed.