US3972615A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Determination of semi opaque plasma temperatures
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-01-17
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-01-17
Abstract
Abstract The temperature of heated gaseous plasmas in non-controllable, non-laboratory applications is measured by an improved spectroscopic analysis. A low atomic number trace gas, such as hydrogen, or helium, is added to the plasma. Temperature is obtained by measuring the ratio of the intensities of two lines of the hydrogen-atom series, e.g. H.sub.α and H.sub.β lines of the BALMER SERIES. The technique is applicable in the few electron volt range and the method is applicable even though the plasma is not optically thin and the total number density of the particles in the plasma, at the instant the measurement of temperature is performed, is unknown.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/0014; G01J5/0018; G01J5/60; H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of determining the temperature of gaseous plasmas comprising the steps of: adding a trace gas to said plasma, said trace gas having a low atomic number; measuring the intensity of a first and a second spectral series line emitted by said gas; and determining the ratio of the intensity of said first spectral series line to the intensity of said second spectral series line, wherein the ratio of the intensities is representative of the temperature of the plasma.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of determining the temperature of gaseous plasmas comprising the steps of: adding a trace gas to said plasma, said trace gas having a low atomic number; measuring the intensity of a first and a second spectral series line emitted by said gas; and determining the ratio of the intensity of said first spectral series line to the intensity of said second spectral series line, wherein the ratio of the intensities is representative of the temperature of the plasma.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said trace gas is hydrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said spectral series lines are Balmer series lines with alpha and beta lines having wavelengths of 6562.8A and 4861.3A respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method of claim 1 wherein the said trace gas is helium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3817622A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |