The effect of OH radicals on Cr–I spectral lines emitted by DC glow discharges

The intensity distribution of the Cr–I 428.97 nm resonant and 520.60 nm non-resonant lines was studied as a function of the distance from the anode in a low pressure DC-GD fitted with a Cr metal cathode and operated in various gas atmospheres, including helium (P = 4 mbar), ambient air and water vapor (P = 0.8 mbar). In the helium and ambient air atmospheres, the intensity peaks occurred in the near cathode region (cathode glow) in accordance with the literature. When operated in water vapor, however, the Cr–I 428.97 nm resonant line disappeared, whereas the intensity of the non-resonant 520.60 nm line was enhanced. This result may be attributed to resonant energy transfer collisions taking place between OH radicals excited to the first vibrational level and Cr*428 atoms excited to the z7P0 upper level of the 428.97 nm transition. The similar gas phase composition encountered with a DC electrolyte cathode atmospheric pressure glow discharge (ELCAD) and the Cr metal cathode GD operating under a low pressure of water vapor suggests that the zero intensity of the Cr resonance lines (428.97 nm, 360.53 nm) produced in the ELCAD may be attributed to similar energy transfer processes. Our results show that the intensity of the Cr–I 520.60 nm line can be used for analytical purposes in the ELCAD.