Multispectral actinometry of water and water-derivative molecules in moist, inert gas discharge plasmas

A new version of optical actinometry (OA) is used to determine the concentrations of water molecules and their fragments in hollow cathode discharge plasma in moist inert gases. Use is made of two actinometer particles, namely, the atoms Xe and Ar, for concurrent measurements of the concentrations of the H₂O molecule and its fragments O, H, and OH. A self-consistent method is suggested for the determination of particle concentrations with due regard for the quenching of the emitting states. The temporal behavior of particles during discharge glow is studied. Noted are fast variations (lasting from a few to a few tens of s) in the concentrations of all the particles, followed by their stabilization (within a few to a few tens of mins). The scheme of the processes responsible for the observed dynamics of the plasma composition is discussed. (paper)