  Nanosecond pulsed barrier discharges in atmospheric pressure argon are
simulated using spatially one- and two-dimensional fluid-Poisson models using
the reaction kinetics model presented by Stankov et al. [1], which considers
all ten argon 2p states (Paschen notation) separately. The very first (single)
discharge and repetitive discharges with frequencies from 5kHz to 100kHz are
considered and a semi-automated procedure is utilized to find appropriate 2p
states for electric field determination using an intensity ratio method. The
proposed method is based on a time-dependent collisional-radiative model
enabling a sub-nanosecond plasma diagnostics, it links the 2p state density
ratios to the reduced electric field strength E/N by quantifying the excitation
rate coefficients and by computing 2p states effective lifetimes from the fluid
model simulation. The semi-automated procedure identifies several candidates
for determination of E/N from given temporal profiles of the 2p state
densities. Different approaches for effective lifetime determination are tested
and applied also to measured data. The influence of radial and axial 2p state
density integration on the intensity ratio method is discussed. The above
mentioned models and procedures result in a flexible theory-based methodology
applicable for development of new diagnostic techniques.
