Optical switching of a dc discharge using an excimer laser

摘要

The effects of unfocused 193hyphen; and 248hyphen;nm laser radiation of 3ndash;30 mJ/cm2on dc discharges of vinylchloride in helium are described. Laserhyphen;initiated striking and quenching of the lowhyphen;current discharges are observed at pulse repetition rates of 10 to 0.001 sminus;1over a range of operating conditions. The apparent paradox of the coexistence of strike and quench conditions in the discharge gap for consecutive laser pulses is discussed.