Optical emission spectroscopy of glow, Townsend-like and radiofrequency DBDs in an Ar/NH3 mixture

Three homogeneous DBD modes have been observed in argon ammonia Penning mixture. The transition from glow to Townsend-like to radiofrequency modes happens when the frequency increases from 50 kHz and 9.6 MHz. The aim of this paper is to characterize these modes based on the study of optical emission spectra. The transition from glow mode to Townsend-like mode is characterized by stronger argon emissions associated to higher energetic electrons. The radio-frequency mode is characterized by a continuum in the UV-vis range. This continuum is attributed to bremsstrahlung emission. Its presence is explained by a high density of less energetic electrons which is consistent with a decrease of argon emissions and an increase of the NH 336 nm system associated with electrons of low energy.