Coupled solution of a time-dependent collisional-radiative model and Boltzmann equation for atomic hydrogen plasmas: possible implications with LIBS plasmas

A time-dependent collisional-radiative model coupled to the Boltzmann equation for the electron energy distribution function has been developed for atomic hydrogen plasmas. Different non-equilibrium initial conditions have been studied. The results show that in the early stage of the evolution as well as in the recombination phase, both distribution functions of excited states and of electrons deviate from the corresponding equilibrium (Boltzmann and Maxwell) distributions. The possible implications of the results with LIBS plasmas are finally discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.