Positive streamer formation in cathode region of pulsed high-pressure discharges for transversely excited atmosphere laser applications

Abstract

A two-dimensional model of a high-pressure cathode region with nonuniform secondary electron emission has been used for conditions close to those used in pulsed discharge XeCl lasers. To simulate processes leading to a cathode spot formation, an inhomogeneity in the cathode electron emission was introduced by varying the electron emission in a 100 μm-radius cathode surface region. The results obtained indicate that the inhomogeneous cathode emission can induce an instability in the cathode-faced surface of the bulk discharge plasma leading to the development of a cathode-directed streamer inside of the cathode region.