Phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy (PROES) bears considerable potential for diagnostics of RF discharges. It allows for detailed investigations of spatial and temporal variations of excitation processes. Based on phase and space resolved measurements of the population dynamics of excited states several diagnostic techniques have been developed. Results for a hydrogen capacitively coupled RF (CCRF) discharge are discussed as an example. The gas temperature, the degree of dissociation and the temporally and spatially resolved electron energy distribution function (EEDF) of energetic electrons (>12eV) are measured. Furthermore, the pulsed electron impact excitation during the field reversal phase, typical for hydrogen CCRF discharges, is exploited for measurements of atomic and molecular data like lifetimes of excited states, coefficients for radiationless collisional de-excitation (quenching coefficients), and cascading processes from higher electronic states.
IntroductionRF discharges bear considerable application potential [1]. Measurements by quantitative nonintrusive optical emission spectroscopy (OES) are fairly complicated due to pronounced spatial and temporal (during the RF cycle) variations of various excitation processes. Temporal variations are not considered in the standard corona model commonly used for OES of stationary low-density plasmas, since it is based on balance equations only. Phase resolved OES (PROES) requires a time dependent model based on rate equations. An analytical model for the population dynamics within the RF cycle has been developed. The model takes into account: electron impact excitation, heavy particle collisional excitation, radiationless collisional de-excitation (quenching), radiation trapping and cascading processes from higher electronic states [2].Measurements are performed in an asymmetric CCRF discharge excited at 13.56 MHz in hydrogen with small admixtures of rare gases. The flat, cooled electrodes are 25 mm apart and 100 mm in diameter. Figure 1 displays the excitation dynamics of the n=3 level of atomic hydrogen along the discharge axis. The abscissa comprises two RF periods (74ns each). Structures I and II are caused by electron impact excitation during the field reversal phase, typical for hydrogen CCRF discharges, and the sheath expansion phase respectively [3]. Structure III results from fast secondary electrons created by ion impact at the powered electrode and ionisation in the sheath region [4]. Structure IV is related to heavy particle collisional excitation of energetic (>100eV) hydrogen atoms created at the electrode surface by impact of hydrogen ions [5].