Wall-stabilized arc-plasma source for radiometric applications in the range 200 nm to 10 µm

Abstract

Based on experience acquired over many years in operating high-power, stationary arc plasmas for quantitative spectroscopy, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) has begun to investigate the suitability of argon arc-plasma radiation for radiometry. We have demonstrated, through the design and operational control of the arc source, that for example argon plasma generated at 150 A and a pressure of 200 kPa provides radiation with a stability of about 10−3. We also state a long-term reproducibility of better than 5 × 10−3 because all operational and geometrical parameters affecting the plasma radiation can be controlled with a relative uncertainty of at least 10−3. The radiation properties have been investigated and carefully characterized in the wavelength range 250 nm to 10 µm at the new PTB detector-calibration facility.