Experimental study of the interaction between DC discharge microplasmas and CW lasers.

A high power (~ 1W) continuous wave (CW) laser was focused on argon microplasma generated in the microgap between two electrodes with submillimeter diameters. Dependence of breakdown (V(BD)) and quench (V(Q)) voltages of microplasma to the laser power, wavelength, and spot location were studied as the gap size and pressure varied. It was observed that the laser-plasma interaction can only occur thermally through the electrodes. Also, the thermal effect of the laser was noticeable at relatively higher pressures (> 10Torr), and in most cases led to a decrease in V(BD), proportional to the pressure.