Imaging axial and radial electric field components in dielectric targets under plasma exposure

This work presents new ways to investigate the individual electric field components in a dielectric target induced by a non thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet. Mueller polarimetry is applied to investigate electro-optic crystals under exposure of guided ionization waves produced by a plasma jet. Three different cases are examined to visualize the different electric field components induced in the crystals by charges deposited on the surface by impact of the ionization waves. Investigating a ${Bi}_{12}$ ${SiO}_{20}$ (BSO) crystal at normal incidence allows measurement and visualization of the axial field, while if the crystal is examined at 45° both radial and axial electric field components are combined. For the first time, a Fe:LiNbO₃ (Felinbo) crystal is examined using Mueller polarimetry under influence of a plasma jet. In this case, exclusively the patterns and local values of the radial field are obtained and not the axial field. These unique imaging options in the target for the individual electric field components allow a new and more complete investigation of the dynamics of surface discharges on dielectric materials. (paper)