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DETERMINATION OF DEPARTURES FROM LOCAL THERMODYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM IN ARC PLASMAS.
H. N. Olsen, G. Bedjai, Martindill,R. E.
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Abstract
The concept of local thermodynamic equilibrium was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Equilibrium characteristic curves were constructed from absolute spectral intensities of the several species of radiation emitted by the free-burning argon arc plasma. Measurements were made over the pressure range 0.1 < or = P < or = 1.1 atm. Complete local thermal equilibrium, in the sense that electrons and heavy particles have the same temperature, was observed for pressures above 0.3 atm. Transition probabilities measured in the course of the investigation were compared with those available in the literature. This comparison shows disagreement among investigators regarding the state of equilibrium existing even in the 1 atm plasma. (Author)