Model for cw laser collisionally induced fluorescence in low-temperature discharges

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Plasma Physics
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Laser collisional induced fluorescence (LCIF) is a technique used to study atomic energy levels and collisional processes.
• Accurate modeling of LCIF spectra is crucial for understanding plasma properties and validating spectroscopic models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a perturbed steady-state rate-equation model for continuous-wave (cw) laser collisional induced fluorescence (LCIF).
• To analyze experimental observations of neon atoms in a glow discharge using the developed cw LCIF model.
• To quantify individual contributions to spectral lines and understand collisional coupling among excited states.

Main Methods:

• Development of a perturbed steady-state rate-equation model for cw LCIF.
• Application of the model to experimental data from neon atoms in a normal glow discharge (2.0 Torr, 5 mA).
• Analysis of spectral features dominated by 1s-2p excitation and electron collisional coupling within 2p states.

Main Results:

• The cw LCIF model successfully describes experimental observations in neon.
• Spectra are dominated by 1s-2p excitation and electron collisional coupling among 2p states.
• The model quantifies individual contributions to each line in the cw LCIF spectra.

Conclusions:

• The developed cw LCIF model accurately represents experimental data and provides insights into collisional processes.
• The theoretical framework is applicable to other noble gases and adaptable for atomic-molecular mixtures.
• This work contributes to a broader modeling program for various spectroscopic techniques.