LASER PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS USING BALMER SERIES TRANSITIONS.

Spatially resolved spectra and photographs of a carbon jet in the radiation of the far vacuum ultraviolet lines were obtained for laser radiation focused onto a planar target using different geometries. The fine structure of the H//a transition of a C//V//I was observed. The profile of the electron density N//e was obtained from the Stark broadening of Balmer series transitions. The expansion velocity was measured and estimates were made of the electron temperature, plasma ionization state, rate of evaporation of the target material, and acceleration at an early stage of the expansion. The gradient of N//e in the vicinity of the critical point was estimated. The feasibility of determining N//e from the Stark broadening of Balmer series transitions in hydrogen-like ions over a broad density range is discussed.