The Open Spectroscopy Journal

2009, 3 : 52-57
Published online 2009 April 24. DOI: 10.2174/1874383800903010052
Publisher ID: TOSPECJ-3-52

Surface Wave Discharges Generated with Ar/He and Ar/N2 Gas Mixtures at Atmospheric Pressure

José Muñoz , José Antonio Bravo and María Dolores Calzada
Grupo de Espectroscopia de Plasmas, Edificio Einstein, Campus Rabanales. Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.

ABSTRACT

This work is aimed at studying emission spectra and morphological characteristics of surface wave discharges generated with Ar/He and Ar/N2 gas mixtures at atmospheric pressure with powers ranging from 80 to 400 W. In both cases, power density is higher than that found with pure Ar, although these changes are due to different discharge features. Kinetic processes can be derived from the analysis of plasma-emitted spectra. We also provide evidence of variations in the external aspect of discharges (filamentation and contraction) related to changes in thermal conductivity in gas mixture.