Analysis of applicability of triplet-state emission of molecular hydrogen for spectral diagnostics of a DC discharge

The applicability of emission of the N I-3 >(sigma) triplet states of molecular hydrogen for spectral diagnostics of the positive column of a dc glow discharge in hydrogen at translational gas temperatures of 360-600 K, specific absorbed powers of 0.8-4.25 W/cm, gas pressures of p = 0.3-15.0 Torr, reduced fields of E/N = 30-130 Td, and electron densities of n (e) = 4.0 x 10(9)-6.5 x 10(10) cm(-3) is analyzed by using an advanced level-based semi-empirical collisional-radiative model. It is found that secondary processes make the main contribution to the population and decay of the N I-3 >(sigma) = a I-3 (+) pound (g) , c I-3 (u) , g I-3 (+) pound (g) , h I-3 (+) pound (g) , and i I-3 (g) triplet states. The dipole-allowed transitions e I-3 (+) pound (g) -> a I-3 (+) pound (g) , f I-3 (+) pound (g) -> a I-3 (+) pound (g) , g I-3 (+) pound (g) and k I-3 (u) -> a I-3 (+) pound (g) can be used for spectral diagnostics of a dc discharge within a simplified coronal model.