Laser collisional induced fluorescence for validation of an argon collisional radiative model

Collisional Radiative Models (CRM) are widely used for the determination of plasma parameters such as the electron temperature and density. In combination with other techniques, they have also been used to investigate departure of the electron energy distribution from Maxwell [1]. Two of the main building blocks of a CRM are the electron and heavy particle kinetics, and accurate data describing these processes is of vital importance. Usually, comparison and validation of CRMs is performed in steady state. Here, Laser Collisional Induced Fluorescence (LCIF) is employed to study the various particle kinetics. To this end, a time dependent CRM of argon has been developed in the Plasimo plasma modeling platform [2] that can model a LIF experiment. The model allows for the different processes to be studied in detail, including the changes of the escape factors. The results of the model are compared to measurements performed on a low pressure microwave plasma with known characteristics [3-4]. [1] E. A. D. Carbone et al. (2012) J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45 475202 [2] J. van Dijk et al (2009) J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 42 194012 [3] J.M. Palomares et al. (2010) Spectrochim. Acta B 65 225 [4] E. A. D. Carbone et al. (2012) J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45 345203