Flashboard plasma characterization using spectroscopy

The plasma produced by a 10 cm*6 cm planar flashboard has been investigated by emission spectroscopy. The plasma composition, density, and temperature have been determined with time and space resolution using measurement of the relative intensity of spontaneous emission in different atomic and ionic transitions together with calculations based on a collisional-radiative equilibrium model. The (1-2)*10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/ and (3-4) eV plasma flows away from the flashboard surface at a speed of about 10 cm/ mu s. A 1.7 cm/ mu s transverse velocity has been obtained from the Doppler width of an emission line.< >