Stark Width Measurements of Neutral Argon Lines and Comparison with Analogous Transitions for Homologous Atoms

Half widths of 24 ArI lines from a wide interval of the spectrum and from a large range of excitation energies were measured. A wall-stabilized arc at atmospheric pressure was applied as a plasma generator. Electron densities of the plasma of the order of 10$\text{}^{16}$-10$\text{}^{17}$ cm$\text{}^{-3}$ were obtained on the basis of hydrogen H$\text{}_{β}$ line broadening measurements. The measured widths of ArI lines, normalized to au electron density of 10$\text{}^{16}$ cm$\text{}^{-3}$ were compared with experimental data for analogous transitions in other noble atoms.