Abstract
The spectral radiant intensity (without imaging) is observed between 5000 Å and 1250 Å with gas pressures 1–8 atm in argon and 10–40 atm in helium. Tungsten and carbon electrodes with 1-mm gaps were used at breakdown voltages of 1.5–6.5 kV and C = 0.85 μF and L = 16.8 nHy. After reaching opacity and saturation within the visible range, the continuum radiation shifts toward shorter wavelengths with increasing voltage and gas pressure and reaches the intensity of the broad A+, A++, and He+ lines. Saturation of spectral intensity and self-reversal of lines is observed; intensities at 1250 Å may be higher by a factor of 25 than those at 5000 Å. Mean gas temperatures of approximately 60,000 K in argon and 100,000 K in helium are determined from the spectral lines of the electrode vapor in the case of relatively low gas pressures and foremost transparent channels by means of the Norm-temperature method. Channel pressures and particle densities are calculated from the channel expansion. Theoretical values of the continuum radiant intensity agree with the experimental results reasonably well.
© 1972 Optical Society of America
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