Optical Radiation of a Gas Discharge in an Argon–Sulfur Mixture

Plasma luminescence spectra of longitudinal repetitively pulsed discharge in a mixture of argon–sulfur were investigated in the spectral range 300–1000 nm. The major emitting plasma components, such as S 2 molecules, sulfur atoms, and ions, are formed as a result of the fragmentation of clusters and sulfur molecules, which starts at energies of ~10 eV. Plasma radiation power increases three-fold on heating the discharge tube from ~50 o C to 120 o C.