Determination of the number densities of argon metastables in argon-hydrogen plasma by absorption and self-absorption methods

2006

The number densities of Ar 3s23p54s levels have been measured by means of two methods: a self-absorption method with a mirror behind the discharge vessel and an absorption method with a high-frequency electrodeless discharge lamp. Concentrations ranging from 6 × 107–4 × 109 cm−3 were obtained for the Ar 3s23p54s levels, depending on the argon content (10–100% Ar) in Ar/H2 microwave plasma. The populations of various sublevels of measured resonant and metastable states coincide within the experimental errors. It was observed that values from measurements of both methods are in good agreement.