title: Background radiation in low-pressure flashlamps from ablation phenomena.
abstract: Radiation emitted from flashlamps operating in a wall ablation regime consists mainly of background radiation, the observed line radiation from wall elements being only an indicator of the transition to the ablative regime. We analyze the origin of that background radiation. It does not come from a rise in temperature, but from an increase in electron concentration caused by the ionization of ablation elements. In LTE conditions (N(e) = 3 x 10(23)m(-3),T = 2 x 10(4) K), we determine temperatures and concentrations in the tube axis and in the discharge border. Ablation products concentrate mainly near the walls where the temperature is lower.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Perez