Inhomogeneities in TEA laser discharges

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Abstract
The development and homogeneity of uniformly preionized TEA discharges is investigated by analytical methods and experiments. A discharge formation model accounts for (a) avalanche ionization that depends on the local electric field and gas density, (b) electron diffusion, and (c) gas heating and expansion. The theory predicts that local overheating of the gas is responsible for the onset of arcing, that space charges are damped, and that the discharge uniformity is limited due to fluctuations of the starting electron density which must be large compared with 102 cm−3. A conceptive description based on perturbation elements extends the range of qualitative validity of the theoretical model and facilitates the understanding of homogeneity measurements. Both onset of arcing and preionization requirements are in good agreement with experimental data.

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