Radiation from an ICP plasma torch in the near-UV to near-IR spectral region for a Titan-type N2-CH4 Mixture
Résumé
An inductively coupled plasma torch, working at atmospheric pressure, is used to create N2-CH4 Titan-like plasma (98% N2 - 2% CH4) appearing around a spacecraft. The operating frequency and power are 64 MHz and 3 kW respectively. This kind of apparatus allows obtaining plasma in chemical and quasi-thermal equilibrium. The spectral measurements covering the [320- 840] nm range are performed inside the induction coil. Each interesting spectrum is calibrated and compared to the line-by-line spectral code SPARTAN used for the simulation of the radiative emission of entry-type plasma and to the synthesized spectra realized at the LAEPT . Finally, the nucleation phenomenon that occurred in the ICP torch with the N2-CH4 plasma is commented. Preliminary studies show the synthesis of nanostructured carbon on the quartz tube.