title: Analysis of time-resolved superposed atomic hydrogen Balmer lines and molecular diatomic carbon spectra.
abstract: We present analysis of superposition spectra following laser-induced breakdown (LIB) of methane. Both hydrogen-beta and hydrogen-gamma lines contain discernible contributions from diatomic carbon emissions for time delays of 1 to 2 μs from pulsed, 8 ns, infrared Nd:YAG laser radiation LIB. Analysis of the atomic lines and molecular C(2) spectra reveal electron and molecular excitation temperatures of typically 13,000 and 5000 K, respectively.
authors.affiliation: The University of Tennessee Space Institute, 411 B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388, USA. cparigge@tennessee.edu
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Parigger
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: James O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hornkohl