The Stark Effect Of The Hydrogen Balmer α Line — A Versatile Tool For Plasma Diagnostics

This paper summarizes the results of experiments carried out within about a decade in the Atomic and Plasma Physics group at Kiel University. These experiments aimed for the calibration of the Stark effect of Hydrogen spectral lines with special emphasis on the first line of the Balmer‐series. Broadening, shift and splitting constants obtained by independent diagnostic techniques provide the possibility to use the Stark effect of the Hydrogen lines as a tool for plasma diagnostics over a wide range of electron densities and electric field strengths. Moreover they may be used to check the theoretical calculations of the respective constants.