Examples of spectroscopy of laboratory plasma with possible connection to astrophysical plasmas

Abstract

In this paper several examples of line spectra from five different laboratory plasma sources are presented. Polarization Stark spectroscopy using hydrogen and helium lines is used for measuring electric field strength in the discharge. Doppler shifted and excessively broadened profiles are obtained showing presence of atoms with velocities close to those in the narrow line region of AGN. Radiation from a high energy, high density plasma source features very broad profiles used for determination of plasma density. Careful interpretation of spectra is needed in the conditions where several effects are present simultaneously: electric and magnetic field, Doppler effect and plasma inhomogeneity. Examples of line of sight influence on profile are also presented. Similarity between laboratory and astrophysical profiles open a possible field for experimental simulation of astrophysical plasmas. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.