Publications Details

Characterization of Plasma Breakdown Induced by Pulsed Photoemission

Iqbal, A.; Bentz, Brian Z.; Zhou, Y.; Youngman, Kevin Y.; Laros, James H.

Laser-induced photoemission of electrons offers opportunities to trigger and control plasmas and discharges [1]. However, the underlying mechanisms are not sufficiently characterized to be fully utilized [2]. We present an investigation to characterize the effects of photoemission on plasma breakdown for different reduced electric fields, laser intensities, and photon energies. We perform Townsend breakdown experiments assisted by high-speed imaging and employ a quantum model of photoemission along with a 0D discharge model [3], [4] to interpret the experimental measurements.