The measurement and calculation of the temperature distribution and the spectrum of high-pressure sodium arcs

Abstract

Measurements and calculations of the plasma temperature distribution and of the visible emission spectrum have been carried out for high-pressure sodium arcs with a diameter of 7.6 mm. Results are presented for sodium vapour pressures ranging from 50 to 500 Torr and for power inputs per unit arc length of 2800 and 5800 W m-1, which demonstrate an overall agreement between measured and calculated data. The axial temperature lies between 3600 and 4100K.