An experimental study on the asymmetry and the dip form of the Hβ line profiles in microwave produced plasmas at atmospheric pressure

An experimental study on the asymmetry of the Balmer Hβ profile in plasmas produced by microwaves at atmospheric pressure is presented. The study is based on the definition of several functions that quantify the asymmetry aspects of the profile. Apart from the asymmetry aspects of the flanks also form-functions are defined that characterize the central part of the profile, the so-called dip or central valley, the combination of the two peaks and the dip in between them. The study shows the experimental dependence of these characteristics on the electron density and control parameters such as the gas flow and the hydrogen admixture ratio. The possible use of these newly introduced profile characteristics to plasma diagnosis is discussed.