Laser-induced plasma and laser-triggered discharge characteristics in low vacuum

This paper describes the characteristics of laser-induced plasma and laser-triggered discharge in low vacuum. Experimental results revealed that laser-induced plasma characteristics, such as plasma light intensity, probability of plasma production and plasma profile highly depended on residual gas pressure. Furthermore, the laser-induced plasma gives rise to discharge generation under lower voltage than the static breakdown. These experimental results will be fundamental data to clarify the relation among outgassing, charging and discharging in vacuum for space power technology.