Multi-ratio method for determination of the electric field in transient argon discharges

Zero-dimensional reaction kinetic modeling in Ar is performed in order to evaluate a method for determination of the reduced electric field from intensity ratios of Ar excited states. Particular sets of Ar[2p] excited states are identified and selected based on their ability to reflect the value of the reduced electric field in the ratio of their populations. Balance equations for the selected species are combined and source terms are filtered and subsequently simplified via sensitivity analysis in order to be represented in a form that is convenient for use in the evaluation of measured line intensities. Various sources of uncertainties in the values of reaction rates and limitations of the proposed method with regards to time scales of electric field variations are discussed.