Modeling of filament discharge development in a XeCl excimer laser

Dynamics of a filament discharge in a discharge-excited XeCl excimer laser medium has been simulated for a sequence of discharge pulses (shots). In the present model a filament discharge is triggered at a microprotrusion on a cathode surface. After the first discharge initiation, a hot spot is created near the cathode, then filament develops toward the anode in the second shot. Images of the filament discharge development and its properties in a XeCl excimer laser are presented.