Measurement of the Temperature and Partial Pressure of a Uranium Plasma

The generation of a high-pressure uranium plasma is described. Determinations of temperature, uranium-II, and electron pressure are performed. The Boltzmann plot technique and the single-line, relative-intensity method are used. Radial distributions of the measured quantities across the plasma are given. Plasma temperature as a function of power input and pressure is measured. These temperatures range between 7900 and 10 300 K. Uranium partial pressures between 0.1 and 1.0 atm are deduced.