An Abel inversion method for radially resolved measurements in the axial injection torch

A method for the radial analysis of the plasma torch produced by the axial injection torch device at atmospheric pressure is proposed. The method uses a fast high-resolution acquisition set-up including an intensified charge coupled device and an image rotation system, as well as a new data processing procedure based on the Abel inversion technique that provides the radial profile of thin plasmas. Use of the Fernandez-Palop smoothing technique significantly reduces distortion in the data profile. The accuracy of the proposed method was assessed by applying it to the estimation of the populations of HeI excited states. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.