Rayleigh Scattering from Excited Atoms in Plasmas
Abstract
Rayleigh and resonance scattering allow spatially resolved measurements of the neutral density and temperature in a plasma. While resonance scattering often is disturbed by line radiation of the plasma, this can be overcome by observation of near-resonant Rayleigh scattering. We performed scattering experiments at the 587.6-nm helium line using a flashlamp-pumped dye laser. The spectral dependence of the Rayleigh cross section and the polarization of the scattered light agree with theory.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 1976
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.37.1218
- Bibcode:
- 1976PhRvL..37.1218W
- Keywords:
-
- Atomic Excitations;
- Laser Applications;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Rayleigh Scattering;
- Scattering Cross Sections;
- Dye Lasers;
- Plasma Spectra;
- Resonance Scattering;
- Spectral Resolution;
- Plasma Physics