Abstract

An ultrarapid scanning spectrograph, having a spectral scan speed of from 10 to 200 Å/μsec and a scanning range of 210 Å, is described. This spectrograph was employed to obtain time-resolved H_α, H_β, and H_γ line profiles, and line-to-continuum ratios, in a shock-heated hydrogen plasma. Electron densities were determined at various times behind the shock front from the Stark-broadened lines and the plasma temperature was obtained from the line-to-continuum ratio. The electron densities obtained from the three lines were found to compare remarkably well. In addition, it was possible to utilize the Saha equation and correlate the time-behavior of the electron density with the temperature and atom density measurements.

© 1964 Optical Society of America

A Multiple-Scan, Rapid-Scan Spectrograph for Electron Density Measurements in Transient Plasmas

R. A. Hill
Appl. Opt. 4(12) 1593-1595 (1965)

An Image Intensifying Shutter for Observing Transient Plasmas

James R. Roberts
Appl. Opt. 4(9) 1179-1183 (1965)

A Dual Recording, Variable Range, Rapid-Scan Spectrometer; Comparison of Simultaneously Recorded Stark-Broadened Hα and Hβ Line Profiles

R. A. Hill and R. D. Fellerhoff
Appl. Opt. 5(7) 1105-1110 (1966)

Rapid Scan Spectrometers for the Diagnostics of Transient Plasmas

R. A. Hill
Appl. Opt. 7(11) 2184-2189 (1968)

Rapid Advances in Rapid Scan Spectroscopy

George C. Pimentel
Appl. Opt. 7(11) 2155-2160 (1968)