Measurements and Modeling of Air Plasma Radiation in the VUV

Measurements of high-temperature air emission spectra between 150 and 250 nm (VUV/UV) are presented. These measurements are calibrated in absolute intensity. The high-temperature air was produced using an atmospheric pressure plasma torch facility. The centerline temperature of the plasma jet is approximately 6700 K. A VUV emission spectroscopy system was adapted to the plasma torch facility to acquire spectra from 150 to 250 nm. Absolute intensity spectra were obtained in this wavelength range. They were compared with numerical predictions of the line-by-line spectroscopy code SPECAIR. The overall agreement between the SPECAIR predictions and measurements is good, particularly above 180 nm. Several modifications to the SPECAIR radiation code were carried out in order to improve agreement with experiments. These modifications significantly improved agreement though, at lower wavelengths, the data indicate that a source of emission remains unaccounted for by SPECAIR. Several possibilities for this missing source of emission are discussed, including photodissociation of the nitric oxide molecule.