Plasma uniformity issues in a 2/spl times/1 plasma-electrode Pockels cell

Summary form only given. An optical switch based on large-aperture plasma-electrode Pockels cells (PEPC) is an important part of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser design. To achieve uniform electro-optic switching across the entire PEPC aperture, it is important that the plasma density be sufficiently high and sufficiently uniform. We have observed a number of plasma effects which can degrade plasma uniformity. These include magnetic displacement of the plasma by external return currents and nearby sources of magnetic interference, current channel formation due to plasma self-fields, anode and cathode electrode design, and the potential of the insulated metal housing that surrounds the plasma. We have studied these effects both analytically and experimentally in a 32 cm/spl times/32 cm plastic housing PEPC and more recently in an 80 cm/spl times/40 cm, two-aperture, aluminum-housing PEPC.