On the Stark broadening in the Au I and Au II spectra from a helium plasma

The Stark FWHM (Full-Width at Half of the Maximal line intensity, W) of 5 neutral and 26 singly ionized gold (Au I and Au II, respectively) spectral lines have been measured in laboratory helium plasma at approximately 16,600 K electron temperature and 7.4 × 1022 m− 3 electron density. Five Au I and ten Au II W values are reported for the first time. The Au II W values are compared with recent theoretical data, calculated based on a modified semi-empirical approach, and also with existing experimental W values. Our normalized Stark widths are six times higher than those measured in a laser-produced plasma. Possible explanation of this is recommended here. An agreement (within the accuracy of the experiment and uncertainties of the theoretical approach used) with the recently calculated W data was found in the 6p–7s Au II transition. The calculated hyperfine splitting for the five Au II lines in the 6s–6p transition is also presented. At the stated helium plasma conditions, Stark broadening has been found to be the dominant mechanism in the Au I and Au II line shape formation. A modified version of the linear low-pressure pulsed arc was used as a plasma source operated in helium, with gold atoms as impurities evaporated from the thin gold cylindrical plates located in the homogeneous part of the discharge, providing conditions free of self-absorption. This plasma source ensures good conditions for generation of excited gold ions due to Penning and charge exchange effects.