Electron ion emission from the plasma formed on the surface of ferroelectrics. I. Studies of plasma parameters without applying an extracting voltage

We present experimental results of plasma formation on the surface of ferro electric samples. Different poled and unpoled ferroelectric samples having a disk or tube form and made of Pbz(Zr, Ti)O-3 or BaTiO3 were tested. Using fast framing photography and different electric probes it was found that t he application of a high-voltage driving pulse to the ferroelectric sample causes a fast surface plasma formation. This plasma formation occurs within a few nanoseconds from the start of the driving pulse for all the tested f erroelectric samples and the methods of applying the driving pulse. It was found that reversing the polarization of a ferroelectric does not play a si gnificant role in the process of the plasma formation. Parameters of the pl asma and of the neutral flow formed during the plasma formation versus the polarity and the amplitude of the driving pulse are presented. (C) 1999 Ame rican Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)00912-3].