Performing Argon Ions LIF Experiments under High pressures and High Magnetic fields for Dusty Plasma Relevant Conditions

The operating conditions of rf-capacitively coupled magnetized dusty plasma typically fall within a pressure range of 20-300 mTorr, and magnetic fields up to 3.5 Tesla. Pressures in this range cause dominating ion-neutral collisions, resulting in a depletion of the pumping states’ population density inferring a weak or no fluorescence signals. This effort investigates an argon ion LIF scheme, with an excitation transition of 3d⁴F_7/2 → 4p⁴D⁰_5/2 at a wavelength of 668.613 nm (vac), and fluorescence emission at 442.72 nm. We report preliminary results of LIF experiments in the dusty plasma relevant conditions. Conducting LIF experiments allows for understanding the thermal properties of ions in dust-ion interactions. Additionally, the effects of Zeeman splitting due to the high magnetic fields can be studied rigorously.