Electrode surface erosion in a high-frequency discharge plasma

The surface erosion of electrodes made of different materials in the plasma of a high-frequency discharge, which is used for pumping ion lasers at a frequency of 10 MHz, is investigated. It is found that the erosion is due to blistering. The effect of the electrode temperature and material, as well as of the gas type, on the erosion evolution under typical operating conditions of a gas discharge tube is studied. The concentration of blistering products (dust particles) in the discharge is estimated in the framework of geometrical optics. Ways to prevent blistering in the discharge under such conditions are suggested.