Diagnostics of electric fields in plasma using Stark spectroscopy of krypton and xenon atoms

Abstract

We report the development of laser diagnostic techniques based on Stark spectroscopy of xenon and krypton atoms. Measurements of Stark spectra from the sheath regions of glow discharges were performed. Experimental results were compared to theoretical calculation results by solving the Schrödinger equation for xenon and krypton atoms. Good agreement between the calculation results and experimental results for the excitations from 5s to nf for krypton and 6s' to nf for xenon was achieved. Furthermore we found that energy levels of higher p states of krypton atoms were clearly shifted in the presence of an electric field. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.