Plasma Generation in a Gas Discharge System With Irradiated Porous Zeolite

The influence of pressure [from atmospheric pressure (AP) to 10^-2 torr] and β-radiation (1-kGy β doses) on the current-voltage characteristics, charge trapping effects in porous surfaces, and breakdown voltage (U_B) in AP microplasmas are discussed for the first time. This is due to the zeolite cathode (ZC) exposure to β-radiation resulting in substantial decreases in the U_B, discharge currents, and conductivity due to increase in porosity of the material. Results indicated the enhancement of plasma light intensity and electron emission from the ZC surface with the release of trapped electrons which are captured by the defect centers following β-irradiation. The porosity of the ZC and radiation defect centers has a significant influence on the electrical and optical properties of the devices manufactured on its base.