The spatial distribution of the temperatures and the emitted spectrum in the electrolyte cathode atmospheric glow discharge

Abstract

In an electrolyte cathode atmospheric glow discharge (ELCAD), the gas temperature (Tgas) obtained from the intensity ratio of the OH 306–309 nm unresolved rotational band heads and the electron temperature (Tel) received from the intensity ratio of the Cu I 510.5 and 515.3 nm were investigated. In the near anode region, Tgas ≈ Tel ≈ 6000 K; in the positive column, Tgas ≈ 4000 K, Tel ≈ 5500 K; in the near cathode region, Tgas ≈ 8000 K, Tel ≈ 7500 K were found. These temperatures agree with our earlier results and are in accordance with the literature; that is, at atmospheric pressure, the gas and the electron temperatures approximate well with each other. The spatial intensity distribution of the atomic lines of metals dissolved in the electrolyte was measured and the intensity maximum occurred in the negative glow due to the high electron temperature and thus to the high excitation rate of this region.