Time-discretized extreme and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of spark discharges in air, N2 and O2

In this paper we present time-discretized spectra of spark discharges in air, N2 and O2. In previous work, a system for temporally resolved spectral analysis of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) emission from spark discharges was presented, along with some initial results. As was noted in this paper, statistical variances and the lacking of an apparatus sensitivity profile limited the usability of the data obtained. We have investigated the cause of these variances and improved the setup to reduce their effect. We also investigated the apparatus sensitivity profile to correct the intensity of measured lines. Newly obtained spectra in dry air, N2 and O2 are presented. Air and N2 show high emission in the vicinity of 100 nm, where direct photoionization of molecular oxygen is possible, in the first 250 ns of the discharge. We conclude this emission originates from nitrogen, which has several intense molecular transitions in this region. This finding is confirmed by our experimental results which show the emission in this region is much lower in oxygen.