Measurement of the electron density in a subatmospheric dielectric barrier discharge by spectral line shape

The electron density in a subatmospheric dielectric barrier discharge by using argon spectral line shape is measured for the first time. With the gas pressure increasing in the range of 1x104 Pa-6x104 Pa, the line profiles of argon 696.54 nm are measured. An asymmetrical deconvolution procedure is applied to separate the Gaussian and Lorentzian profile from the measured spectral line. The gas temperature is estimated by using rotational temperature of N2+. By subtracting the van der Waals broadening and partial Lorentzian instrumental broadening from the Lorentzian broadening, the Stark broadening is obtained and used to estimate the electron density. It is found that the electron density in dielectric barrier discharge increases with the increase in gas pressure.