On the difference between breakdown and quench voltages of argon plasma and its relation to $4p-4s$ atomic state transitions

Ebrahim Forati, Shiva Piltan, Dan Sievenpiper

Using a relaxation oscillator circuit, breakdown ($V_{\mathrm{BD}}$) and quench ($V_{\mathrm{Q}}$) voltages of a DC discharge microplasma between two needle probes are measured. Hi…