M. Niimura
Published: 1974
Total Pages: 50
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The axial distributions of the electron temperature and number density in a free-burning argon arc plasma at atmospheric pressure have been measured experimentally using a Thomson scattering technique. The axial temperature distribution has also been measured spectroscopically by the relative line intensity method. The results are presented in terms of the degree of non-equilibrium distribution shifted from the calculated Saha equilibrium temperature and the heavy particle temperature at different spatial positions along the axis of the arc. It is shown that the temperatures as measured by light scattering are different from those measured by relative line intensity ratio method. The difference is ascribed to the nonequilibrium of the arc as well as to the special geometry of the arc cathode.