Spatiotemporal evolution of the electron density and temperature of a pulsed single filament micro-discharge

Abstract

Laser Thomson scattering technique has been used to measure the electron density and the electron temperature in a pulsed single filament micro-discharge. The single filament discharge was created between a needle and a hemispherical electrode surface. The spatial and temporal profiles of the electron density and the electron temperature in the center of the discharge gap have been measured. The absolute values of the electron density and electron temperature were found to decrease with time and away from the discharge axis. These profiles have been measured for the first time.