Abstract

A technique is described to measure the electron density distribution of a high temperature plasma, produced in a theta-pinch, by observing the bremsstrahlung continuum radiation emitted. Streak cameras record simultaneously the visible light emitted at three axial positions. The photographic film is calibrated using a short duration flash and a step filter, and densitometer scans give the relative intensities. The data are placed on an absolute basis with a calibrated monochromator. An Abel inversion of the data gives the radial intensity distribution, from which the electron density distribution may be calculated. Estimated accuracy of the density measurement is ±25%.

© 1967 Optical Society of America

Plasma Spectroscopy in the Vacuum Ultraviolet and Soft X-ray Regions

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