Keywords

laser, ultrafast, femtosecond, filament, plasma, Current Pulses, time resolved current

Abstract

The time-resolved electrical conductivity of a short-pulse generated plasma filament in air was studied. Close-coupled metal electrodes were used to discharge the stored energy of a high-voltage capacitor and the resulting microsecond-scale electrical discharge was measured using fast current sensors. Significant differences in the time dependence of the current were seen with the two electrode geometries used. Using sharp-tipped electrodes additional peaks in the time-resolved conductivity were seen, relative to the single peak seen with spherical electrodes. We attribute these additional features to secondary electron collisional ionization brought about by field enhancement at the tips. Additional discrepancies in the currents measured leaving the high-voltage electrode and that returning to ground were also observed. Implications for potential laser-induced discharge applications will be discussed.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2005

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Siders, Craig

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Degree Program

Optics

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0000447

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000447

Language

English

Release Date

May 2005

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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