Argon Branching Ratios and Absolute Transition Probabilities in the 4s–4pTransition Array

Absolute transition probabilities for five lines in the 4 s -4 p transition array of neutral Argon were determined. The plasma source was an Argon cascade arc in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). The diagnostic of the plasma was based on interferometrically measured electron densities. The measured line emission coefficients were corrected for line-wing losses and for optical thin emission. Furthermore the inhomogeneities of the arc plasma were taken into account. Moreover branching ratios for six of the ten 4 p levels were determined with a pen-ray.