Plasma temperature measurements using self-absorbed spectral lines: A discussion of the methods due to Bartels and Kruithof

Abstract

The plasma temperature measuring methods due to Bartels and Kruithof, which make use of self- absorbed spectral lines, are particular solutions of the radiative transfer equation. For conditions found in typical high-pressure gas discharges used as light sources, the radiative transfer equation has been solved numerically. These results are used to investigate the influence of several of the simplifying assumptions which are necessary in order to apply the two methods. Particular attention has been paid to the influence of the line profile and the plasma temperature distribution. It is shown that, for conditions found in typical high-pressure light sources, some of the simplifying assumptions can be relaxed without serious loss of accuracy. Possible extension of the methods to include resonance lines has also been considered.