SPECTROSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF A VACUUM SPARK CARBON PLASMA

Abstract

Time-integrated soft X-ray spectra are obtained from a carbon plasma which is produced in a vacuum spark apparatus. The plasma is diagnosed spectroscopically. The electron density is estimated by three different methods, i.e., the Inglis-Teller method for the C VI Lyman series, the intensity ratio of the satellite line C V ls2p3P0 - 2p2 3P (3.459 nm) to C V ls2s 3S - 2s2p 3P0 (3.453 nm), and the Stark broadening of the C VI Lyman-delta line. These methods yield an electron density of 1.5 - 2.5 x 10(19)/cm3. The intensity ratios of the C V He-alpha (He-like ls2 - ls2p resonance line) to its satellite lines st (C IV ls(2)2s 2S - ls2ps (3P) 2P0) and jkl (C IV 1s(2)2p 2P0 - 1s2p2 2D) give an electron temperature of 30 approximately 40 eV. The intensity ratio of the Lyman-alpha to He-alpha gives an ionization temperature of 47 approximately 53 eV. The CRE (collisional radiative equilibrium) code RATION is used in this study.