Energy distribution of plasma-assisted electron and ion emission from TGS single crystals

Abstract

Electron and ion emission accompanying non-thermal plasma processes, produced at the surface of TGS single crystals under driving ac electric field exceeding 10 3 V/cm, have been carried out. These plasma-assisted emission of electrons and ions were examined by means of time and energy distribution measurements. The intensity of registered charges (electrons and ions) displayed on the 2 ms time scale are represented by two distinct peaks. Time dependent energy spectrum of charges, detected under our experimental conditions, involves electrons and ions with maximum energy up to 30–40 eV for first peaks and up to 70–80 eV for second one. Additionally, the energy of electrons is focused at about 10–15 eV for first and second peaks and about 60–70 eV for second ones; the ion energy spectrum for both peaks exhibits only distinct low energy maximum focused at about 5–15 eV.