Abstract
Simulations of sparks in 10 atmosphere Xenon gas by Levko and Raja [Phys. Plasmas 23, 073513 (2016)] are unable to reproduce the experimental fact of their opacity to visible light [Bataller et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 105, 223501 (2014)]. Levko and Raja have argued the discrepancy is due to enhanced ionization from the probing laser radiation and/or cathode field emission. Having observed comparable opacity in similar systems without probing lasers and without electrodes, we instead argue that the enhanced ionization is a thermodynamic result of dense plasma screening effects that lower the effective ionization potential. Levko and Raja do not adequately address these density effects in their spark discharge simulations.
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