Laser fluorescence experiments with a pulsed dye laser in an argon plasma

• Published in: Journal of quantitative spectroscopy & radiative transfer 1989-04, Vol.41 (4), p.251-258
• Main Authors: Willems, H.M.J., Yuasa, K., van der Sijde, B., Schram, D.C., van der Mullen, J.A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma diagnostic techniques and instrumentation
• ISSN: 0022-4073; 1879-1352
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-4073(89)90121-0

We have carried out laser-induced fluorescence experiments in the argon plasma of a hollow cathode arc (HCA) using a pulsed-dye laser. The pumping line was the 611.5 nm transition between the metastable 3 d′ 2 G 9 2 and the 4 p′ 2 F 7 2 level in the argon-ion system (′ refers to the 1 D core of the two times ionized argon atom). From the measured fluorescence signal of the 4 p′ 2 F 7 2 upper level, we are able to determine the deexcitation coefficient [(2.5±1.0) 10 -14 m 3 sec -1] and the density of the 3 d′ 2 G 9 2 metastable level (1.5×10 15−1.25×10 16 m -3). The 3 d′ 2 G metastable doublet is a serious candidate for excitation of the 4 p upper laser levels and may partly be responsible for the 4 s−4 p inversion which causes the argon-ion laser oscillation.