Time-resolved plasma diagnostic by laser-diode spectroscopy

Author

Beverini, N. ; Gobbo, G. Del ; Genovesi, G.L. ; Maccarrone, F. ; Strumia, F. ; Paganucci, F. ; Turco, A. ; Andrenucci, M.

Author_Institution

Dipartimento di Fisica, Pisa Univ., Italy

Volume

32

Issue

11

fYear

1996

fDate

11/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1874

Lastpage

1881

Abstract

A tunable diode laser has been used as a light source for line-of-sight absorption and Doppler-shift measurements. We have applied the method to perform plasma diagnostics in a magneto plasma dynamic (MPD) pulsed propulsor device and of an Ar⁺ laser tube plasma. Spectrally resolved argon absorption lineshapes of transitions of neutral and single ionized argon were recorded. A high temporal resolution (a few microseconds) is achieved by fast tuning the laser frequency at a repetition rate greater than 100 kHz. From the recorded spectra, we deduce the dynamics of the neutral components of the plasma in the thruster. We also demonstrate the possibility of direct ion diagnostics by the observation of ionic transitions, using red diode lasers in an Ar⁺-laser commercial tube

Keywords

Doppler measurement; arcs (electric); argon; high-speed optical techniques; ion lasers; laser transitions; laser tuning; measurement by laser beam; plasma devices; plasma diagnostics; spectral line breadth; time resolved spectroscopy; Ar; Ar⁺ laser tube plasma; Ar⁺-laser commercial tube; Doppler-shift measurements; direct ion diagnostics; fast tuning; high temporal resolution; ionic transitions; laser frequency; laser-diode spectroscopy; light source; line-of-sight absorption; magneto plasma dynamic pulsed propulsor device; neutral components; plasma diagnostics; recorded spectra; red diode lasers; repetition rate; single ionized argon; spectrally resolved argon absorption lineshapes; time-resolved plasma diagnostic; tunable diode laser; Absorption; Argon; Diode lasers; Laser transitions; Laser tuning; Plasma devices; Plasma diagnostics; Plasma measurements; Plasma sources; Spectroscopy;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.541673

Filename

541673