LINE-PROFILE MEASUREMENTS OF THE 2S3S-2S3P SINGLET AND TRIPLET TRANSITIONS IN NE-VII

Measurements of the 2s3s-2s3p singlet and triplet line profiles of Ne VII emitted from a dense plasma are reported. The plasma is produced i n a gas-liner pinch discharge and spectral lines are detected in fifth order applying an interference filter to obtain high spectral resolut ion. We have diagnosed the plasma reliably by Thomson scattering and w e obtained electron densities and temperatures in the range of n(e) = (3 - 3.5) x 10(18) cm(-3) and k(B)T(e) = (19 - 20.5) eV, respectively. The widths of the spectral lines are compared with theoretical Stark widths according to semiempirical and semiclassical calculations. We f ind good agreement in the latter case especially when performing detai led non-perturbative calculations and when taking into account electro n quadrupole broadening. These experimental and new theoretical values improve the accuracy of line formation calculations to determine plas ma parameters of, e.g., the atmospheres of hot stars.