Electron Temperature Determination from Non-LTE Populations in a Nitrogen Plasma JET

Abstract

Atomic nitrogen electronic state populations and electron density have been measured in a high power nitrogen plasma jet in the pressure range 50 <150. A Boltzmann plot of the excited state populations led to electronic excitation temperatures depending on the groups of levels considered. Low and high lying levels yielded excitation temperatures which differed up to 80% at P = 120 Torr. The measured data are analysed in the frame of a two-temperatures diffusion-dominated plasma model. © 1975, Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung. All rights reserved.